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The Perfect Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipe to Keep You Warm and Cozy

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Nothing feels like the holidays more than curling up in front of the fire with a steaming cup of hot chocolate in hand. Hot chocolate is a staple of this time of year, so we’ve come up with a decadent, indulgent hot chocolate recipe that you can feel great about sipping throughout the holiday season.

Don’t opt for the simple packet of hot chocolate mix in hot water, which is full of sugar, additives, and only a little actual chocolate. Instead, make your own! Not only will it taste much richer and creamier, it will also be much better for you.

This recipe for hot chocolate uses raw cacao powder, which is chocolate in its raw and and purest form. Cacao is known for being a heart healthy superfood due to its incredible concentration of flavonols, a class of antioxidants that are associated with decreasing the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and chronic inflammation. According to Dr. Randy Baker, cacao “also contains mood-enhancing chemicals like phenylethylamine, theobromine, serotonin and anandamide,… and also [aids in] reducing insulin resistance.”

While Dr. Baker mentions that these health benefits of cacao are powerful, he also notes that they can be counteracted by added sugar, which is best to limit. Studies indicate that to derive the optimum health benefits of chocolate, the darker the chocolate the better, so you should aim to choose chocolate that has at least 70% cocoa solids.

This recipe combines both raw cacao and dark chocolate for the ultimate rich cup of hot chocolate. It only takes a few minutes to whip up, so you can be sipping, relaxing, and enjoying the holiday spirit in no time at all.

hot chocolate Christmas

Decadent Hot Chocolate

What You’ll Need: (serves 2)

2 cups non-dairy milk (we recommend a mix of almond and coconut for some extra creaminess)

2 tbsp raw cacao powder

1.5 oz dark chocolate (70% or above)

1-2 tbsp maple syrup (sweetened to taste)

½ tsp vanilla extract

  1. Combine everything all ingredients in a medium sauce pan.
  2. Over medium-low heat, whisk all ingredients together until the chocolate is melted, everything is evenly combined, and the drink is warm.
  3. Serve into two mugs, and enjoy. We recommend topping your hot chocolate with a dollop of coconut whipped cream and a sprinkle of cacao nibs to make your drink a little extra festive!

Author: Maggie Harriman

The post The Perfect Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipe to Keep You Warm and Cozy appeared first on .


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