What could be more perfect than a brisk walk on a cold day followed by… hot chocolate!
Let’s just make sure it’s both delicious and healthy.
I love this particular recipe because it’s everything I look for in hot chocolate: chocolatey, creamy, spicy, and not too sweet -- a delicious indulgence that works perfectly as a wellness treat. The best of both worlds!
Creamy Hot Chocolate
1 cup organic milk (cow, goat, almond, coconut, hemp, etc)
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
1-2 teaspoons date sugar (to taste)
Splash of vanilla extract
Few pinches of cinnamon
One pinch of nutmeg
Warm milk on medium heat; do not boil. Once milk is warm, remove a small portion and whisk into dry ingredients until smooth and creamy. Return chocolate mixture to pot and continue to heat until hot. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
I prefer a smooth, creamy hot chocolate, and think it’s worth the extra effort to strain. I also love froth-- so once strained, I pour into my Vitamix (or high speed blender) for 20 seconds on high.
Notes:
When using nut milks, you may add 1 Tbsp of coconut butter for more richness.
Date sugar is a wonderful new sweet available in the baking section of most Whole Foods stores or on amazon.com. Its subtle and delicious! It ranked number 1 for antioxidant content in a new study from Virginia Tech’s Biochemistry Department of 12 natural alternatives to refined sugar.
And you might also enjoy this short video, Are Dates Good for You? from NutritionFacts.org, focusing on an Israeli study showing dates are, despite their sweetness, an astoundingly good healthy food overall!
There you have it-- a delicious, creamy hot chocolate to warm you on these cold winter days. Enjoy!