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This Healthy Hot Cocoa is gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free. It’s made with only three simple ingredients and none of the additives of regular hot chocolate. It’s the perfect warm, chocolatey, rich cup to sip on with this cold weather and during the holidays. It might just become your new daily drink!

I look forward to this recipe all year long so it’s always one of the first on my list once it starts getting chilly! It’s so comforting and takes me right back to my childhood. It reminds me of the days when my siblings, neighbors, and I would sled for hours upon hours every single day in the winter. When we’d finally decide we needed a break (our cheeks and noses bright red at that point), we’d sprint into the warm house and immediately jump onto the counter and reach for the hot cocoa mix in the top cabinet.

The best part about this recipe is that it tastes EXACTLY like regular hot cocoa but it’s seriously healthy! Cocoa powder is high in antioxidants and also a good source of magnesium and iron… as if you needed an excuse to consume more of it, right?? Paired with the healthy fat from whichever milk you choose and carbs from the sweetener, this is a great lower sugar, balanced version of a favorite cozy drink. If you’re also crazy about cocoa, make sure to check out my other hot cocoa inspired recipes like my Hot Cocoa Cookies, Hot Cocoa Baked Oatmeal, and Single-Serve Hot Cocoa Cookie!

I will say thought that you can never go wrong with a classic like this recipe, and it’s perfect for both kids and adults! Add some marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, or a melted chocolate drizzle on top for an extra special treat 😍

Watch my video tutorial HERE.

Why You’ll Love This

Customizable – You can use any type of milk you want, dairy or non-dairy, and use any type of sweetener like stevia, monkfruit, coconut sugar, maple syrup, honey, regular sugar, etc.
Holiday staple – A cozy cup of hot cocoa is a holiday must this time of year and this easy recipe is perfect for having a cozy night in watching holiday movies, hanging out with friends, or even taking this to go on a chilly walk!
Sneak some protein in – If you want to add a little more protein without tasting it or really thinking about it, I love adding a scoop or two of collagen into mine. That can easily get you over fifteen grams of protein in one cup.
Dietary friendly – This is completely gluten free and can easily be made dairy free, vegan, refined sugar free depending on the ingredients you choose to use!

This easy healthy hot cocoa is gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, paleo, paleo friendly, plant based, whole30, vegan, low carb, balanced. In a tall clear mug is freshly frothed warm hot cocoa with the bottom portion a dark rich brown and the top a lighter brown from the frothed milk. Topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of melted chocolate.

What You’ll Need

Unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder – Make sure this is unsweetened or you can use less sweetener if needed.
Sweetener of choice – You can use whatever you have on hand or your preferred sweetener! I usually use stevia (two packets of powder or 10 drops liquid) or monkfruit but other delicious options are maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, pitted dates, etc. Adjust based on your desired sweetness!
Milk of choice – I love using a thicker milk like oat, homemade cashew, or full fat canned coconut milk to help make this extra creamy but any kind of milk will work.

How To Make

Start by heating your milk either in the microwave or over the stove top until it’s your desired temperature. (Tip: I prefer using the stove top but when you’re in a pinch the microwave works great!)
Stir in the cocoa powder and sweetener of choice. Just enough to slightly combine the ingredients.
Next, you can either continue to whisk the ingredients together until frothy or you can add the mixture to the cup of a blender and blend to combine and froth. (Tip: I love adding it to my blender because it makes it extra smooth and frothy!)
Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy as is or add toppings of choice!

Recommended Tools

Saucepan – GreenPan and Caraway are my favorite non-toxic cookware
High-speed blender
Whisk

Even More Holiday Recipes

Chocolate Christmas Bark (Gluten Free, Dairy Free Option)

Healthier Eggnog (Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free)

Peppermint Bark Cups (Gluten Free, Vegan)

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