This Frozen Hot Chocolate is inspired by the famous frosty drink served at Serendipity 3 in NYC. You can make it at home with simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand!
Why You’ll Love It
It’s easy to make. You don’t need any specialty ingredients to make this frozen dessert. While many recipes call for using hot chocolate packets, it’s just as easy to make your own mix using cocoa powder and milk.
It’s delicious. Frozen hot chocolate tastes like a chocolate milkshake, but without actually using any ice cream. You get to control how sweet it is!
It’s allergy friendly. When you make this recipe with oat milk or almond milk, it’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
It’s naturally sweet. Instead of using chocolate syrup or melted chocolate bars, this recipe uses cocoa powder and pure maple syrup.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s in frozen hot chocolate?
- Cocoa powder (or cacao powder)
- Maple syrup
- Vanilla extract
- Peanut butter (optional)
- Milk of choice
- Ice
While many recipes call for using a hot chocolate mix blended with ice and milk, it’s pretty easy to make your own hot cocoa mix using simple pantry ingredients. You can also use chocolate milk as the base, for an even richer chocolate flavor.
This would be a great way to use up any leftover chocolate almond milk you might have on hand!
How to Make Frozen Hot Chocolate
1. Add the ingredients to a blender.
For the best results, use a high-speed blender that can easily pulverize ice cubes. If your blender doesn’t handle ice well (i.e. it leaves large chunks of ice in a smoothie) then this recipe won’t turn out quite as authentic.
Add the milk, cocoa powder, maple syrup, peanut butter (if using), and vanilla to a blender.
2. Blend.
Add in the ice cubes, and blend right away. The texture should have a thick, slushy consistency. If it looks too runny in texture, add another 1/2 cup of ice cubes and blend again.
Taste the chocolate mixture and make any adjustments as needed.
You can add a little more cocoa powder for a darker chocolate flavor, or more peanut butter for a richer flavor and creamier texture.
3. Enjoy!
Pour the frozen hot chocolate into two 12-ounce cups and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, or a few chocolate chips, for a decadent treat. (Use coconut whipped cream for a dairy-free topping.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different sweetener? Sure! Since you can taste this recipe as you go, you can use any other sweetener you like. For a fruit-sweetened drink, try my Chocolate Smoothie recipe, which has extra fiber from the dates.
Can I make this in advance? If you want to make a hot chocolate mix in advance, you can mix 3 tablespoons of that into the 3/4 cup of the milk that this recipe calls for, then add the ice and blend.
In the mood for a hot chocolate recipe? Be sure to try my Healthy Hot Chocolate or Peppermint Hot Chocolate.
Frozen Hot Chocolate
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup milk of choice
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter (optional)
- 1 ½ cups ice cubes , or more as needed for texture
Instructions
- In a high speed blender, combine the milk, cacao powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and peanut butter, if using, along with the ice.
- Blend until the ice is totally pulverized, about 60 seconds. There should be no chunks of ice remaining. Taste and adjust any flavoring as needed. You can add more cacoa powder for a darker chocolate flavor, or more peanut butter for extra creaminess and richness.
- Serve right away for the best texture. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings for an extra impressive look.
Notes
Nutrition
If you try this frozen hot chocolate recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it!
I have always wanted to go to Serendipity!! Your version of the frozen hot chocolate looks way better : )
Mmm.. creativity in the kitchen – yum!
Kiddos and I give it a SUMMERY 5/5 stars!!
Just tried this one and it was so good! I used flaxseed and a pinch of salt in place of the PB.
This was so good Megan! It reminded me a lot of the frozen hot chocolates I used to get at Second Cup but then had to stop drinking since they had dairy (and a ton of sugar!) Thanks so much!
Delicious! I added a pinch of sea salt as well.