Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate Recipe (Vegan) - We Made This Vegan

Question 1

Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?

Accepted Answer

Plain pumpkin puree is the best choice for this recipe. Pumpkin pie filling, sometimes labelled pumpkin pie mix, already contains sugar and spices. Using it would change the sweetness and spice balance.

Check the ingredients on the tin: you’re looking for pumpkin without the added pie ingredients.

Question 2

Can I use homemade pumpkin puree?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Use cooked pumpkin blended until smooth, with no added salt, sugar or seasoning.

Homemade pumpkin puree can be more watery or fibrous than canned pumpkin. Drain away excess liquid if needed and blend out any stringy pieces before measuring your ½ cup.

Question 3

Why does my hot chocolate have lumps or a grainy texture?

Accepted Answer

Cocoa powder can form small lumps, especially if it has become compacted in the container. Sift it before adding it, then whisk thoroughly as you combine the ingredients.

A grainy texture can also come from fibrous pumpkin puree or the ground spices. Using very smooth puree helps. If you prefer a finer texture, you can pour the finished drink through a fine-mesh sieve.

A little settling is normal when a drink contains real pumpkin and ground spices. Give it a stir before taking another sip.

Question 4

Can I use hot chocolate mix instead of cocoa powder?

Accepted Answer

Hot chocolate mix and hot cocoa mix often contain sugar, milk powder or other added ingredients. They aren’t a direct replacement for the unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe.

For the quantities below, stick with unsweetened cocoa powder. If you do experiment with a mix, check that it’s vegan and adjust the brown sugar to account for its sweetness.

Question 5

Can I turn this into white hot chocolate?

Accepted Answer

A pumpkin white hot chocolate would need vegan white chocolate chips or a chopped vegan white chocolate bar in place of the cocoa, with the added sugar adjusted.

White chocolate contains fat and sugar, so it isn’t a spoon-for-spoon substitute for cocoa powder. The quantities in the recipe card are for the cocoa version; a white chocolate version needs a different balance of ingredients.

Question 6

Can I make a smaller batch or a larger batch?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For a smaller batch serving one, halve every ingredient: use one cup of milk, ¼ cup pumpkin puree, one tablespoon each of cocoa powder and brown sugar, and ¼ teaspoon each of pumpkin pie spice and vanilla extract.

A small saucepan is useful for this amount, provided there’s enough room to whisk.

For four servings, double all the ingredients and use a larger saucepan. A big batch will take longer to heat, so watch the milk rather than relying only on the original cooking time.

Question 7

Can I make it in a slow cooker or crock pot?

Accepted Answer

The method and timings here are for the stovetop. A slow cooker or crock pot heats much more slowly, so the five-minute cooking time won’t apply.

For a larger batch of this particular recipe, multiply the ingredients and use a suitably sized pan on the hob. Keep stirring as it heats and avoid letting it boil.

Question 8

How should I store leftover hot chocolate?

Accepted Answer

Store it without the whipped cream or other toppings. Cool it promptly, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours. Use it within 48 hours.

Reheat only the amount you need, stirring in a saucepan until steaming hot throughout. Reheat leftovers only once, then let your drink cool to a comfortable sipping temperature.

The pumpkin and cocoa may settle in the fridge, so whisk the drink as it reheats. Add fresh toppings just before serving.

Question 9

Does it contain caffeine?

Accepted Answer

There’s no coffee in the original recipe, but cocoa naturally contains caffeine, so this drink isn’t caffeine-free. Adding espresso or extra chocolate will increase the caffeine content.

Question 10

What can I do with leftover pumpkin?

Accepted Answer

Stir leftover pumpkin into porridge, pancake batter or overnight oats, or use it in my vegan pumpkin smoothie.

You can also freeze plain puree in measured portions for future pumpkin recipes. Half-cup portions are handy when you want to make this hot chocolate again.

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Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Equipment

Notes