This healthy hot chocolate recipe is thick and creamy and a sugar-free alternative to junky store-bought mixes.
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My kids love the Swiss Miss brand of hot chocolate, but ever since we started eating better and reading nutrition labels, the whopping 7 teaspoons of sugar per cup is hard to swallow. And so, I set about creating a healthier, more nutrient-dense hot cocoa for them.
A note when buying cacao or cocoa powder:
Be careful of the “a” and “o” placement or you’ll miss the difference!
The chocolate in the hot chocolate can come from unsweetened cocoa powder, which is more processed than the nutrient-dense cacao powder. If you want the medicinal properties of the cacao bean then opt for magnesium-rich cacao powder. There is a difference in taste. Cocoa powder tends to be less intense and slightly sweeter than cacao so if you do decide to use one or the other, do adjust the sweetener according to your preference.
Why you’ll love it
Quick and easy. This healthier hot cocoa comes together in just ten minutes.
No refined sugar. You control the amount of sweetener, too!
Nutritious. Cacao powder is an unprocessed powder made from cacao beans and is rich in antioxidants.
How to make it
Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan and heat them on medium heat.
Whisk: Mix everything with a whisk constantly, allowing the hot chocolate to heat through.
Enjoy! Pour into mugs, garnish with marshmallows, cocoa powder, and or whipped cream, and serve immediately.
Hot cocoa ingredients
Milk: I use whole milk as the kids prefer it to plant-based milk, but you can use your milk of choice.
Cacao: Preferably organic. I use Volupta Cacao Powder.
Sweetener: Maple syrup works well here and is a healthier option than regular table sugar.
Vanilla extract: I use alcohol-free vanilla extract.
Tip:
Although this hot chocolate is made with healthier ingredients, it is not low in calories or low-carb so please keep that in mind when chosing your sweetener. Replacing the maple syrup with monkfruit sweetener or stevia will help make it lower in carbs.
Tips and Variations
- The hot chocolate can be made creamier if you use plant-based milk by using a frother.
- Make a peppermint mocha hot chocolate by adding drops of peppermint essential oil.
- If you prefer to use sugar, use coconut sugar if available. It is less processed than table sugar and low glycemic index.
- Make it with stevia or monkfruit to make keto hot chocolate.
How to store
You can refrigerate the hot cocoa without the garnish in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Warm it on the stovetop or microwave.
If you try this recipe, I’d appreciate it so much if you would rate it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! And let me know in the comments how it worked out for you. I love hearing feedback and the recipe rating helps others find this recipe!
This recipe was first published in 2020 but has been updated with more details.
Healthier Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings
- whipped cream
- cocoa powder
- marshmallows
Instructions
- Heat the milk and the rest of the ingredients in a small saucepan, on medium heat whisking constantly so as to combine everything.
- Once the hot chocolate is heated to your preference, pour it into two mugs, garnish, and enjoy!
Notes
- The range for the sweetener is wide because my boys prefer it sweeter while I prefer 1 tablespoon per serving for myself. You can adjust it as per your preference.
Zeeshan Shah says
Love that it doesn’t have the nasty ingredients of store-bought hot chocolate mixes yet still hits the spot!