Healthy Hot Cocoa: Three Ways

Cold weather calls for cozy drinks. And there’s nothing that soothes our souls quite like some good clean cocoa. Today we share a few variations that will hit the spot, satisfy your sweets cravings, and warm you from the inside out. Talk about food as love… these are hard to beat (and not too sweet ; ) 

BASE INGREDIETS:

• Milk of Choice. The richer the milk you choose, the richer the hot chocolate. For a super creamy and decadent treat use full fat coconut milk. For a little bit of a lighter affair choose almond, macadamia, oat, or the nut mylk of your choice.

• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder. We love to make our super fueled by using cacao, though it can be a touch more bitter than traditional cocoa so sweeten to your taste buds accordingly. Alternatively, any high quality coco powder will do!

• Maple Syrup. Start with a scant teaspoon, then taste and increasing a teaspoon at a time, until you hit your perfect level of sweetness. You might need less than you think!

• Pure Vanilla Extract. An excellent way to deepen the flavor of chocolate and make this healthy hot chocolate even more decadent

• Sprinkle of Sea Salt. salt helps the flavors pop! Trust us on this one…

Cocoa for the Soul: {for the traditionalist}

• 1 cup unsweetened nut mylk of choice

• 1 T unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2 tsp pure maple syrup plus additional to taste

• Tiny pinch of high quality sea salt

• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• Shaved dark chocolate or chocolate chips for serving

• *optional coconut whipped cream (recipe below)

• for the deep dark chocolate lover: add 1 tablespoon chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips (we love HU!) melted into the hot chocolate at the maple syrup stage..

1. In a small saucepan, heat the milk until just simmering. Whisk in the cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla and sea salt. (For the deep dark chocolate lover) Add the chocolate chips. Whisk and heat until the chocolate is melted and smoothly combined.

2. Taste and add more maple syrup if you'd like it a touch sweeter. Pour into your favorite mug, and top with extra shaved chocolate (use a microplane for the ultimate chocolate dusting.) or a sprinkle of cozy cinnamon.

Ode To Reese’s: {for the peanut butter lover}

Use the same recipe as above and whisk in 1 T runny peanut butter with the maple syrup and stir until thoroughly combined. Add a sprinkle of roasted, salted peanuts to the top of your coco or optional coconut cream (recipe below)

Peppermint Dream: {for the most holiday like treat}

Use the same recipe as above but add 2 drops of high quality peppermint extract (we love Wisdom of the Earth) and add shavings of organic candy cane on top of your coconut whipped cream.

Coconut Whipped Cream: {the classic topping with a good clean twist}

in a high speed blender combine 1 can of full fat coconut milk, 2 tsp maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla extract and blend from low to high for 10 seconds. Store extra in the fridge for up to 3 days.