In this healthy plant-based recipe, I'll show you How To Make Raw Chocolate Sauce using only 3 clean, real food ingredients. It's ready in less than 5 minutes and can be enjoyed on top of vegan desserts like ice cream granola bars, cheesecakes, energy balls and more!
Once you see how easy it is to make a clean chocolate sauce, you'll want to keep a batch on hand at all times!
Raw Chocolate Sauce
Here's why this recipe works - my top 3 reasons:
- Ready in under 5 minutes
- A versatile plant-based staple recipe
- Made with only 3 clean, real food ingredients
Ready In Under 5 Minutes
This recipe needs only one bowl and 5 minutes of your time to make a batch for all your plant-based desserts.
Simply add all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl and stir until it's smooth!
A Versatile Plant-Based Staple Recipe
This is my go-to vegan chocolate sauce recipe and I use it for so many desserts.
Some of my favorite ways to use it are:
- Gluten-Free Vegan No-Bake Pumpkin Pie
- Gluten-Free Vegan Raw Hemp Seed Bars with Cacao Drizzle
- Gluten-Free Vegan Cacao Drizzle Holiday Popcorn
- Gluten-Free Vegan No-Bake Pecan Pie Bars
- Gluten-Free Vegan Banana Split Mousse
It's easy to make in advance and stores well either in your pantry or in the refrigerator so you'll always have some ready at a moment's notice!
Made With Only 3 Clean, Real Food Ingredients
Chocolate sauce is the perfect addition to so many vegan desserts, but store-bought chocolate syrup can contain a long list of unhealthy ingredients like these:
S.A.D. (Standard American Diet) Hershey's Chocolate Syrup Ingredients: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Water, Cocoa, Sugar, Contains 2% or Less of Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Salt, Mono- and Diglycerides, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Vanillin, Artificial Flavor.
You don't have to settle for a highly processed chocolate syrup made with GMO ingredients, preservatives, and artificial flavors when you can make homemade chocolate syrup.
My easy recipe needs only 3 real food ingredients such as raw cacao powder, maple syrup, and coconut oil.
This healthy plant-based chocolate sauce is raw, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, paleo-friendly, keto-friendly (with sweetener substitution) and contains no refined sugar!
How To Make The BEST Raw Vegan Chocolate Sauce: Step-By-Step Instructions
Here's how to make this recipe and I'll show you how with step-by-step instructions below.
Step 1: Gather the Ingredients + Melt the Coconut Oil:
Firstly, after you gather the ingredients, you'll need to melt the coconut oil before making the recipe.
The coconut oil should be "liquid" or "melted" and have the appearance and consistency of water.
I melt my coconut oil either in a small saucepan on the stovetop on the lowest heat or place it in a bowl inside another bowl of hot water.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients Together:
Secondly, add the three ingredients together and stir until it's well combined.
It should have a smooth consistency and a shiny appearance.
Step 4: Store the Chocolate Sauce:
Lastly, you can make the chocolate sauce in advance and store it so it will be ready at a moment's notice, or store any leftovers.
Store it in an air-free BPA-free container (I like to use a small glass mason jar) in either the pantry, cabinet or refrigerator.
If you store it in the refrigerator, you'll need to let the coconut oil liquefy again before using it. Just run the container under warm water and then stir before using it.
Expert Tips + Ingredient Substitutions To Make Vegan Chocolate Sauce:
Here are some expert tips to make this recipe perfectly:
Coconut Oil. If you don't care for the taste or smell of coconut oil, you can use organic unrefined coconut oil which has zero coconut taste or smell.
Maple Syrup. You can substitute with your favorite liquid sweetener.
- Lectin-Free: substitute with organic date nectar
- Keto: substitute with a sugar-free liquid sweetener
Raw Cacao. I only use organic 100% raw cacao, but you can also use regular cocoa powder if you prefer.
Storage. If you aren't familiar with using coconut oil, it's helpful to understand how to handle it depending on its consistency.
- Liquid State: When coconut oil is heated over 75 degrees, it becomes a liquid. This would be ideal when using it as a "drizzle" or to dip a cookie or bar in.
- Solid State: When coconut oil is frozen (in the freezer) or chilled (in the refrigerator), it becomes a solid. This would be ideal when using it as a chocolate topping over energy balls or a layer on a no-bake dessert.
Want More Healthy Vegan "How To" Pantry Staple Recipes?
Check out these:
- How To Make Whipped Coconut Cream Topping
- How To Make Tahini
- How To Make Homemade Almond Milk
- or my CLEAN DESSERTS Cookbook with 72 plant-based vegan + gluten-free no-bake dessert recipes made with clean, real food ingredients just like this one that you will love!
How To Make Raw Vegan Chocolate Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup organic raw cacao powder
- 1/4 cup organic maple syrup
- 1/4 cup organic coconut oil (melted/liquid)
Instructions
Prepare the coconut oil:
- Before beginning, the coconut oil will need to be melted/liquid.
- You can add it to a small saucepan and melt it on lowest heat or place the coconut oil in a small bowl placed in hot water to melt it. It should have the appearance and consistency of water.
Prepare the chocolate sauce:
- Add all ingredients for the chocolate sauce, including the melted coconut oil, to a small bowl and stir it together until it's creamy and smooth.
- Store it in an air-tight BPA-free container in a pantry or cabinet. If you store it in the refrigerator, it will harden but once you liquefy the coconut oil again, it will be ready to use. Just stir it until it's creamy and smooth again.
Recipe Notes
Dietary Substitutions:
- Keto: Use a sugar-free liquid sweetener
- Lectin-Free: Use organic date nectar
Ingredient Substitutions + Tips:
Coconut Oil: If you don't care for the taste and smell of coconut oil, you can use organic refined coconut oil which has zero coconut flavor or smell. Maple Syrup: You can substitute with organic date nectar, organic coconut nectar, or a sugar-free liquid sweetener. Raw Cacao Powder: You can substitute with regular cocoa powder. Storage: Store in an air-tight BPA-free container in either a pantry, cabinet, or refrigerator. Serving Size: Nutritional information is calculated for (1) tablespoon which is (1) serving.Nutrition Information
Hi, I'm Karielyn! I'm the published cookbook author of CLEAN DESSERTS and content creator of The Healthy Family and Home™ website since 2012. I specialize in creating easy, healthy plant-based and Medical Medium® compliant recipes that are gluten-free + vegan and made with clean, real food ingredients that you can feel good about eating.
Deborah Cheffer says
I add unsweetened shredded coconut, protein powder, cacao nibs, and organic peanut butter. Then scooping small blobs on parchment to freeze. Now I have clean yummy stuff for my occasional treat.
Karielyn Tillman says
Hi there Deborah! I love to hear about the creative way you used my healthy chocolate sauce...especially the peanut butter!
I'm so happy to know you enjoyed it and appreciate you taking the time to let me know! 🙂