Healthier Hot Chocolate (Dairy Free)

As the winter chill sets in, there’s nothing quite like curling up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. The creamy texture, the sweet richness—it’s pure comfort in a mug. But traditional hot chocolate can often be loaded with sugar, artificial ingredients, and empty calories. So, what if you could indulge in a cozy, chocolatey drink that not only warms you up but also supports your health and happens to be loaded with the antioxidants found in dark chocolate?
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Good news: you can! With a few simple swaps, it’s easy to create a healthier version of this beloved beverage. In today’s post, we’ll show you how to make a nourishing and delicious Healthy Hot Chocolate that you’ll want to sip all winter long.

Why Choose Healthy Hot Chocolate?

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about the benefits of making your hot chocolate healthier:
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• Reduced Sugar: Traditional hot cocoa often calls for sugar-laden powders or syrups. By making your own, you control the sweetness, opting for natural sweeteners that won’t spike your blood sugar.
• Antioxidants: Cacao (the key ingredient in chocolate) is packed with antioxidants. These compounds help fight inflammation and may support heart health, making this drink a nutritious choice.  I use organic, unprocessed raw cacao, but you can use cocoa powder as well.
• Added Nutrients: You can sneak in superfoods like collagen, cinnamon, or even a scoop of protein powder to give your hot chocolate an extra nutritional boost.

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Tips for the Best Healthy Hot Chocolate:

• Use Raw Cacao: Raw cacao powder is less processed and retains more of its natural nutrients compared to regular cocoa powder. It’s a rich source of magnesium and antioxidants.
• Try Different Plant-Based Milks: Experiment with almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk. Each one adds a slightly different flavor and texture to your hot chocolate.

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• Make It Creamy: For a richer hot chocolate, blend in a spoonful of almond butter.  It adds healthy fats and a velvety texture that feels extra indulgent...and tastes phenomenal as well.
• Spice It Up: Want a little kick? Add a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicy twist that complements the chocolatey goodness.  Cayenne also amps up your metabolism.

I LOVE A MUG OF THIS CHOCOLATELY COMFORT

Vintage Glass Mugs                              Milk Frother                                          Glass Saucepan

Healthy Hot Chocolate (Dairy Free)
Makes 2
Ingredients:

• 2 cups unsweetened coconut or cashew milks are my preference, but use your milk of choice
• 1/2 cup raw cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
• 1/4 cup Allulose or monk fruit powder (or you sweeten with agave or maple syrup to taste)
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (this is totally optional and just lends to a thicker and more intense chocolate flavor)
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste
• Pinch of sea salt (to balance the flavors)
• Optional: A few mini marshmallows or whipped coconut cream for topping (to make it feel extra indulgent)

Instructions:

1. Heat the Milk: In a small saucepan, heat the coconut milk over medium heat until it’s warm but not boiling. Stir occasionally to prevent it from burning.
2. Mix Remaining Ingredients: While the milk is warming, add in and whisk vigorously together the cacao powder, sweetener of choice (I used Allulose), chocolate chips if using, vanilla and sea salt
3. Serve and Enjoy: Pour the hot chocolate into your favorite mugs and top with whipped coconut cream or a few mini marshmallows and a cinnamon stick if desired.

I like to use a battery operated frother to put a nice foam on the hot chocolate before               serving.