Three Healthy Hot Cocoa Recipes
The sweet aroma, the warm feeling, the delicious creamy taste of hot cocoa brings back so many childhood memories. Hot cocoa is an absolute must have after playing in snow. I grew up on Swiss Miss. It’s so easy and convenient to whip up a cup of hot cocoa with instant cocoa like Swiss Miss. But check out these ingredients: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Modified Whey, Cocoa (Processed With Alkali), Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Nonfat Milk, Calcium Carbonate, Less Than 2% Of: Salt, Dipotassium Phosphate, Mono- And Diglycerides, Carrageenan, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, Artificial Flavor. Um, no thank you! Did you know you can actually make healthy hot cocoa? Yes, you can, and it’s really easy. It’s not as quick and easy as Swiss Miss but it is so worth it. Real cocoa has tons of health benefits. Keep reading to learn the health benefits of real cocoa and three simple healthy hot cocoa recipes that fit with your healthy lifestyle.
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Benefits of Cocoa
Unsweetened cocoa powder has some protein and is a good source of fiber, antioxidants, and polyphenols.
Vitamins:
Riboflavin | 14 % |
Niacin | 11 % |
Folate | 8 % |
Vitamin B6 | 6 % |
Thiamin | 5 % |
Vitamin K | 3 % |
Pantothenic Acid | 3 % |
Vitamin E | 1 % |
Minerals:
Manganese | 192 % |
Copper | 189 % |
Magnesium | 125 % |
Iron | 77 % |
Phosphorus | 73 % |
Zinc | 45 % |
Potassium | 44 % |
Selenium | 20 % |
Calcium | 13 % |
Benefits of Whole Food Ingredients
The following recipes are made with real, whole food ingredients. They are dairy free, preservative free, and do not contain processed sugars.
When adding essential oils to your foods and drinks, be sure you are using pure oils. Essential oils are high in anti-microbial compounds and antioxidants, and they provide numerous health benefits. Many oils on the market have been adulterated, so your homework and find a brand you trust.
Two of the recipes call for pure maple syrup. Pure maple syrup is less processed than table sugar and contains healthful nutrients. This does not mean to use Mrs. Butterworths or Log Cabin, only pure maple syrup. One of the recipes calls for monk fruit. Monk fruit is a natural no calorie sweetener. The juice is extracted from the Monk fruit to create the sweetener. Like most no calorie sweeteners, it is much sweeter than table sugar, 150-200x sweeter than sugar.
All the recipes have cinnamon in them and for good reason. First, it’s a warm, delicious spice. Second, it has tons of health benefits. Cinnamon is high in antioxidants and is well known to help promote healthy blood sugar levels.
Sweet Orange Healthy Hot Cocoa Recipe
This is a unique twist on traditional hot cocoa. The sweet taste of orange and warm spicy taste of cinnamon make this healthy hot cocoa recipe out of this world.
Ingredients:
- 10 oz nut milk (almond, soy, flax, oat, etc.)
- 1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 drop wild orange essential oil
- 1 drop cinnamon or cassia essential oil
- 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup
- Pinch of cinnamon
Directions:
- Combine nut milk, cocoa and syrup in small sauce pan and whisk over medium heat.
- Once heated (no need to boil), mix in 1 drop of wild orange essential oil.
- Pour into your favorite mug.
- Top with coconut whipped cream (optional).
- Sprinkle with cinnamon.
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Paleo Mexican Healthy Hot Cocoa Recipe
This healthy hot cocoa recipe adds some spice for some extra heat. This is a more adult version and you can really spice it up with some Fireball 😯 Who said healthy can’t be fun? Adding a pinch of cayenne will add some spice, some heat, some anti-oxidants and a healthy metabolism boost.
Ingredients:
- 10 oz nut milk of your choice (almond, soy, flax, oat, etc.)
- 1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup
- Cinnamon to taste (can also use a drop of cinnamon or cassia essential oils)
- A tiny pinch of cayenne pepper
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan and whisk over medium heat.
- Heat until warmed through (boiling not necessary)
- Pour into your favorite mug.
- Top with coconut whipped cream (optional)
- Dust with cinnamon and extra cocoa powder.
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Keto Healthy Healthy Hot Cocoa Recipe
Keto recipes are all the rage right now. If you follow a keto diet, you’re in luck and can still enjoy some hot cocoa.
Ingredients:
- 10 oz nut milk of your choice (almond, soy, flax, oat, etc.)
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa butter
- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 Tablespoons monk fruit sweetener (or sweetener of your choice)
- Cinnamon (optional)
Directions:
- Heat cocoa butter and nut milk in a small saucepan over low heat until the cocoa butter has completely melted.
- Whisk in cocoa powder and monk fruit.
- Pour into your favorite mug. (this one is my favorite 😊)
- Top with coconut whipped cream (optional)
- Dust with cinnamon and extra cocoa powder.
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I hope these recipes have inspired you. Living a healthy lifestyle and eating more nutrient rich whole foods doesn’t have to be boring or difficult.
If your sweet tooth gets the best of you, I have a fun and helpful resource for you! It’s How to Be a Healthy Chocoholic.
I love hot chocolate on a cold day but have given it up in recent years because of the sugar. I’m happy to find alternatives to try. I’m very interested in trying the orange one, it sounds so good. Thanks for sharing these recipes.
I didn’t even know that healthy hot chocolate existed! I wanted to try the Mexican Hot chocolate. Yum!
It’s sweet and spicy 🌶
OMG! I love every one of these recipes. I can’t wait to try the Sweet Orange recipe as a new twist on an old favorite.
I hope you enjoy 😋
I love natural recipes for yummy stuff! I am avoiding. dairy, soy, & gluten some of these will work really well. Thank you so much for sharing these!
I’m all about simple recipes with only “good” stuff in them 😊
I have been looking for a healthy hot chocolate recipe!! Tha ks for sharing! They look delicious 😋
I love the benefits of cocoa powder. I am looking forward to adding these recipes to our must make drinks.
There are so many health benefits in plants 🌱 I hope you enjoy the recipes 😋
These all look incredible! I wouldn’t know which one to make first!! Also, your images are beautiful!
-Madi xo | http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com
Thank you 😘