Healthy Hot Chocolate
This time of year I start craving hot chocolate. Something warm, sweet and nourishing that’s healthy and not going to start turning me into a marshmallow during winter. Buy good quality cocoa powder for this one. I vary from raw varieties such as loving Earth to quality cocoa powders such as Callebaut or Valrhona that make delicious hot chocolates. Cocoa contains beta-carotene, calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, chromium and in particular magnesium that can help with bone mineralization, muscle contraction and immune function. When drinking hot chocolate, it’s best to drink out of a large mug or bowl because your senses pick up every aroma coming out from the steaming hot milk – The taste and smell of vanilla bean, cinnamon and cacao nourish your soul and warm the body. Enjoy!
Serves 2
1 cup (250 ml / 8 1/2 oz) milk – your choice of almond or any nut or seed milk, coconut, rice, organic dairy
1 cup (250 ml / 8 1/2 oz) water
1 heaped tablespoon quality cocoa powder or raw cacoa powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or 1 teaspoon extract
1 teaspoon honey or a few drops stevia to taste
Combine milk, water, cocoa, cinnamon and vanilla into a small pot.
Heat gently.
Pour into serving cups and enjoy.
Sweeten with a little honey or stevia to taste.
Nutrition per serve (calculated using reduced fat organic milk)
Protein: 5.6 g
Total fat: 2.2 g
Saturated: 1.4 g
Carbs: 13.2 g
Calories: 93
kilojoules: 390
NOTE: for a richer hot chocolate, use all milk in place of the water. (almond, cashew, brazil nut, hazelnut, macadamia, coconut, dairy all work well)
MORE CHOCOLATE RECIPES:
Chocolate Cake
Chocolate Cup Cakes
Naked Chocolate Cake
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Really Good Chocolate Cake
Chocolate Truffles
Chocolate Brownies
Raw Chocolate Cupcakes
Chocolate Mousse
Contact Teresa Cutter
Sounds lovely – might add a dash of chilli to it as well:-)
yum – love chilli chocolate!
Hi Teresa
I absolutley love your web page, I now put my laptop on my kitchen bench and cook from your pages.
Was wondering about the hot chocolate – where is best to purchase these special cocoa’s ?
I am in South Melbourne area.
Callebaut or Valrhona
thanks
Michelle
Hey Michelle – here in Sydney I get my chocolate / cocoa powder from the chef’s ware house, Simon Johnson or a good health food store…..most health food stores sell good quality cacao powder.
Thanks for this recipe, can’t wait to try it.
Is rice milk ok to use?
Thx
K
Yes of course…
I make our hot chocolate similar way but instead of milk, I put 1 tbsp cashew spread in the mixture to each portion. While I heat it up, cashew nut spread makes the liquid ticker and creamy. It’s really yummy.
Yesterday I put a few drops of peppermint essence into our hot chocolate and my family loved it
Could you use raw cacao powder instead of cocoa?
Sounds lovely. Can you buy sugar free vanilla bean paste or do you just scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean?
Will vanilla extract work ok instead of bean paste?
Thank you SO much for this recipe. Its exactly what I’ve been looking for to curb those after-dinner chocolate cravings on cold nights!
Nicky .. it says in the recipe that yes you can use raw cocoa powder (Yummo)
Ruthie you can actually buy vanilla bean paste.. it beats buying pods
This is fantastic! I’m loving all of your recipes Teresa! xxx
Teresa your winter recipes are wonderful it makes the colder months feel like something to look forward too. Thank you. This recipe is okay to store in the fridge for a couple of days correct?
Yep you sure can Lyfina !
Is there a method for making this or pop it all in together?
Hi Teresa,
When I tried this recipe some of the raw cacao powder did not dissolve In the saucepan.
What can I do to make sure the cocoa dissolves?
Cheers Sandra
Teresa this is so delicious! Why would you want any other hot chocolate! Thank you xx
I’m a total choc-o-holic and this was delicious! I’ll be making this a regular for sure.
Hi Teresa
After reading your chocolate cake recipe article in Women’s Fitness magazine I checked out your website, hot chocolate is my comfort drink so I’m glad I found this healthier version. I made it last night and it’s worth the extra few seconds to make it and it tasted delicious and not artificial like packet brands.
Thanks so much! I will be making your other recipes for sure.
Laura x
Oh yum! Just made this for the first time and really enjoyed it! Thanks Theresa!!
Thanks so much Teresea for this recipe. It’s the best hot chocolate recipe I have ever come across. Yummy!!!!!!