Drinks · Cozy Sips

Creamy Date Almond Hot Chocolate

Oct 19, 2026 · @Amy

There is a kind of October evening that makes you want to stay in. The sky darkens early, the radiator ticks to life, and everything slows down in that particular Toronto way that feels like the city is pulling inward. These are the evenings I reach for something warm to hold in both hands.

This hot chocolate is what I make on those evenings. It is rich and velvety, sweetened with Medjool dates instead of sugar, and finished with a cloud of maple whipped cream that melts right into the cup. It comes together in about 10 minutes and it is the coziest thing I have made this fall.

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Ingredients

Hot Chocolate

• 2 Medjool dates, pitted
• 350 ml whole milk
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 2 tablespoons Ember Slown hot chocolate
• A dash of cinnamon

Cinnamon Whipped Cream

• 50 ml heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Why You Will Love It

• Dates are the quiet star. Two Medjool dates blend into the milk and give this drink a natural caramel-like richness. No refined sugar, no sweetener packets. The sweetness is subtle and round in a way that granulated sugar just cannot replicate.
• Ember Slown hot chocolate for real chocolate flavour. This is not the kind of hot chocolate that tastes like warm brown water. Ember Slown brings a deep, smooth chocolate base that makes every sip feel intentional.
• Naturally sweetened. The sweetness comes entirely from the dates and the maple syrup in the whipped cream. No added sugar anywhere in the base.
• Ready in about 10 minutes. Blend, heat, whip, pour. That is the whole recipe.
• Creamy and thick. Blending the dates, whole milk, and almond butter gives the hot chocolate a velvety body that feels deeply rich and satisfying.
• Easy to double. Scale everything up and you have two mugs with almost no extra effort.

Tips and Swaps

• Use Medjool dates. Medjool dates are soft, caramel-sweet, and blend down to a perfectly smooth consistency. Deglet noor dates can work but are drier and less sweet, so you may want to add one or two extra.
• Make it sweeter or lighter. For more sweetness, add an extra date when blending. For a lighter drink, skip the maple syrup in the whipped cream and just lightly whip the cream on its own.
• Swap the milk. Oat milk or almond milk work well as dairy-free alternatives. Full fat coconut milk makes the richest version of this drink.
• Make it dairy free. Replace the heavy cream with full fat coconut cream that has been chilled overnight. It whips up beautifully and pairs well with the chocolate.
• Add a twist. A pinch of cardamom or cayenne blended with the dates adds a gentle warmth. A small splash of vanilla extract is also a lovely addition.

FAQ

• Can I make this without a blender? Soak the dates in boiling water for about 10 minutes until very soft, then mash them as finely as you can before adding the whole milk and almond butter. The texture will be less smooth, but the flavour is still there. A small immersion blender is the easiest option if you have one.
• Can I make this ahead of time? The hot chocolate base keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat it gently on the stove and give it a good stir before serving. Make the whipped cream fresh each time for the best texture.
• Can I serve this iced? Yes. Blend the dates with half the whole milk and all of the almond butter, then stir in the Ember Slown hot chocolate. Add the remaining whole milk cold and pour over ice, skipping the heating step entirely. A spoonful of the maple cream on top still works beautifully.

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