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    Home » Recipes » German

    German Hot Chocolate — Kakao Mit Schuss (vegan)

    Published: Sep 10, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links. · 16 Comments

    German Hot Chocolate — Sweet, creamy, and oh-so-warming during the cold seasons! This German recipe will give you Christmas Market vibes from the comfort of your home. It is made with pantry staples, is entirely plant-based, and is ready in just minutes.

    Jump to:
    • 💡 The recipe in a nutshell
    • 🍫 Difference between German and American hot chocolate
    • 📋 Variations
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews
    german hot chocolate

    💡 The recipe in a nutshell

    • A classic German drink made plant-based
    • Vegan (eggless and dairy free)
    • Quick and easy
    • Ready in just minutes
    • Creamy, sweet, and warming

    🍫 Difference between German and American hot chocolate

    In German, we call hot chocolate "Kakao". It translates simply to cocoa, meaning either the bean, the powder, or hot cocoa. "Kakao" can be drunk hot or cold, and is made out of cocoa powder, or cocoa powder mixes. "Mit Schuss" means that it has a shot of schnapps or liquor like Amaretto added. That is especially popular during Christmas time and a great alternative on your next Christmas Market visit if you don't like Glühwein!

    As you see, it’s not exactly the same as a classic American hot chocolate, which uses real chocolate (like a chocolate bar) that is melted and stirred into milk, or water. By the way, in German, we call that "Heiße Schokolade".

    kakao mit schuss vegan german hot chocolate

    📋 Variations

    Just like regular hot chocolate, you can serve 'Kakao' in many variations. Here are some serving and variation ideas:

    • 'Mit Schuss' - add schnapps or liquor
    • Top with vegan marshmallows, or sweet popcorn
    • Add a pinch of chili, or other spices such as nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, peppermint or ginger
    • Top with vegan whipped cream
    • Orange zest
    • Crumbles of Biscoff, Lebkuchen or gingerbread
    • Top with caramel, chocolate or pumpkin syrup
    • Use hot tea instead of plant milk such as Earl Grey, or Matcha

    📖 Recipe

    german hot chocolate

    German Hot Chocolate — Kakao Mit Schuss (vegan)

    Jacqui
    German Hot Chocolate — Sweet, creamy and oh so warming during the cold seasons! This German recipe will give you Christmas Market vibes from the comfort of your home. It is made with pantry staples, is entirely plant based and ready in just minutes.
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, German, Plant Based, Vegan
    Servings 2 cups

    Equipment

    • sauce pan, whisk, stove top

    Ingredients
      

    For the drink:

    • 500 ml plant milk of your choice* (2 cups + 1 ½ tbsp)
    • 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 2 tablespoon amaretto liquor (if you want alcohol free leave out)
    • sweetener of choice, if needed

    To garnish:

    • 6 vegan marshmallows, or whipped cream
    • chocolate syrup, cinnamon sticks, and anise stars as decoration - scroll up in the blog post for more variation ideas

    Instructions
     

    • Mix plant milk, cocoa powder, and (if using) amaretto in a saucepan with a whisk, then bring to a boil. Turn down heat to a gentle simmer. Sweeten if wished.
    • Pour hot cocoa into a cup and garnish as desired. Drink hot as is, or serve with cookies.

    Notes

    *Plant milk: Any variety you like will work great, I personally prefer using a vanilla flavored kind.
    Keyword German, Hot Chocolate, Kakao mit Schuss, Plant Based Quark, Vegan, Winter Drinks

    For more plant-based German recipes, browse our recipe page.

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    PS: Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment on your experience - this helps improve my recipes and serves you with the best instructions, tips, and substitution ideas. Plus, I love hearing about your takes on my recipes! Tag me on Instagram @thesimplesprinkle to show me your pictures.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Emily says

      January 08, 2022 at 5:26 pm

      5 stars
      I love this German Hot Chocolate that's so quick and easy to make! I can imagine I'm perusing the Christkindl markets while I'm sipping it!

      Reply
      • Jacqui says

        January 11, 2022 at 5:42 pm

        Yeees! This hot chocolate is totally a Christmas market winner!

        Reply
    2. Kayla DiMaggio says

      January 08, 2022 at 8:04 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! This german hot chocolate was so delicious! Such a fun homemade recipe to make!

      Reply
      • Jacqui says

        January 11, 2022 at 5:41 pm

        Thank you Kayla, that makes me super happy to hear.

        Reply
    3. Shilpa says

      January 08, 2022 at 9:37 pm

      5 stars
      This hot chocolate is perfect for winter. I love how easy it is to make.

      Reply
      • Jacqui says

        January 11, 2022 at 5:41 pm

        Thank you and much agreed.

        Reply
    4. Andrea White says

      January 09, 2022 at 12:47 am

      5 stars
      the best hot chocolate! so so good!

      Reply
      • Jacqui says

        January 11, 2022 at 5:40 pm

        Thank you Andrea!

        Reply
    5. Tavo says

      January 09, 2022 at 6:30 am

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe for the third time now and I love it! thank you for such as strong recipe!

      Reply
      • Jacqui says

        January 11, 2022 at 5:40 pm

        No way!! Thank you so much Tavo.

        Reply
    6. Michelle says

      January 09, 2022 at 9:09 am

      5 stars
      OK, you had me at the gorgeous photos!! I'm a hot chocolate addict and this is right up my alley 🙂

      Reply
      • Jacqui says

        January 11, 2022 at 5:40 pm

        Thank you!! Can't wait for you to try it - it's so tasty!

        Reply
    7. Choclette says

      January 09, 2022 at 4:30 pm

      5 stars
      OMG, that looks divine indeed. I can't resist a good hot chocolate. I remember, many years ago, my mother bought be some German hot chocolate powder back from a trip there and it was so good.

      Reply
      • Jacqui says

        January 11, 2022 at 5:40 pm

        Thank you! It's so interesting how something simple like hot chocolate can taste so different, right? Thanks so much for your sweet comment!

        Reply
    8. Anaiah says

      January 09, 2022 at 9:01 pm

      5 stars
      Loving this German hot chocolate so much! Going to be enjoying this all winter.

      Reply
      • Jacqui says

        January 11, 2022 at 5:39 pm

        Thank you, that makes me so happy to hear!

        Reply

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