It’s the perfect time to start curling up with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa. However, I often find that typical hot chocolate feels a bit overly sweet and heavy—particularly for my kids! After trying a ton of boxed options, I decided to develop my own kid-friendly healthy hot chocolate recipe.
I’m happy to say this one is a hit! It’s absolutely child-approved and a recipe my own four children ask for all winter long. Even better? It has just four ingredients!
I will note that this recipe is refined sugar free and dairy free. Because of this, it’s not as rich and chocolatey as some people may prefer. I find it’s the perfect amount of sweetness for children or those who are working on health goals, however!
If you haven’t made hot chocolate from scratch before, I’ve got great news: it’s not complicated! In fact, this healthy hot chocolate is so simple to make that it’s almost as quick as the store-bought packets!
In my home, a warm mug of hot cocoa is pretty much a necessity this time of year. Especially forkids, because hot cocoa is a very good motivator to stay outside longer.
You know when they want to come in after 10 minutes, and you’ve spent 15 minutes bundling them up? Just offer them hot cocoa if they stay outside a little longer. It works (almost) every time.
Ingredients
I have to be careful about what I feed my kids (and myself) because we all have food sensitivities. That means we can’t buy the store-bought hot cocoa packets, which are loaded with high fructose corn syrup and other ingredients I can’t pronounce.
So this year, when my children started asking for hot cocoa, I decided to create our own healthy hot cocoa recipe. I’ve come up with a few variations, but this particular version is a favorite with my kids.
In fact, they’ve told me it tastes just as good, if not better, than the old “store stuff.” (Score!)
Here are the four simple ingredients in this homemade hot cocoa recipe:
Cocoa powder – I use cacao powder myself,but you can use baking cocoa too. Cacao powder is more bitter, so you may need to increase the sweetener slightly if you go this route.
Okay, let’s walk through how to whip up a batch of hot chocolate in just minutes.
Grab a small saucepan, and use it to heat the almond milk. Next, whisk in the cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla extract.
Make sure to whisk it well, so there are no lumps.
Alternatively, you can carefully pour it into a blender (or use an immersion blender). Just don’t burn yourself! Blend or whisk until it’s nice and frothy, then pour into a mug and serve.
See how simple that is?
Variations + More Hot Chocolate Recipes
Peppermint hot chocolate: Add a few drops of peppermint extract while you are whisking.
Creamy hot chocolate: Top with a dollop of your favorite whipped cream (use a non-dairy one if you want to keep this recipe dairy-free).
Peanut butter hot chocolate: Yes, I have an entire recipe showing you how you can make a peanut butter hot chocolate!
Want even more ideas? Check out this post with the
Pop, coffee, energy or sport drinks, fruit punches, hot chocolate, sweetened milks and tea are not recommended for children even if water is added. These drinks are high in sugar and/or caffeine and are not suitable for toddlers or children of any age.
Unsweetened almond milk (or any unsweetened dairy-free milk of choice, like oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk) Unsweetened cocoa powder (or cacao powder, which is raw chocolate powder) Honey or maple syrup to sweeten it up (use a natural sweetener so you can control the quality and amount of sugar)
If you are mindful of your overall intake of added sugars and calories and choose a hot chocolate that is lower in sugar and fat, enjoying it regularly can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Opting for skimmed or plant-based milk versions with little to no added sugars is a sensible choice for daily consumption.
“To get the health benefits of cocoa powder, buy unsweetened cocoa powder with no ingredients added,” says Fazio. “It has fewer calories, less fat and sugar and more antioxidants than chocolate powder. Just make sure to read the label, as it will tell you if the product contains cocoa or chocolate.”
Dark chocolate is ideal; a high percentage of cocoa is the recommended option, but there is a risk that children will not enjoy the taste. Then milk chocolate, which is sweeter and smoother, is also fine, as long as it contains a high percentage of cocoa, as for example in the recipe for Venezuela 47% Milk Chocolate.
Mood-boosting effects: Drinking hot chocolate has been shown to increase levels of serotonin and endorphins in the brain, which can improve mood and reduce stress. A healthier option: Compared to coffee, hot chocolate contains less fat and calories and is a good source of antioxidants.
As surprising as it may sound, yes, hot chocolate can help you lose weight. Unsweetened cacao powder produces antioxidants that help with the fat-burning process and makes you feel fuller for longer. Also, being low in fat and sugar, your body gets lower calories from cacao powder.
Flavour and Texture: Known for its light, slightly sweet taste and thinner consistency, almond milk is perfect for a subtler hot chocolate. Health-Focused: As a low-calorie, nutrient-rich option, almond milk caters to health-conscious hot chocolate enthusiasts.
The source of the chocolate flavour is different. Hot Chocolate is made using solid chocolate melted in warm milk or cream.Hot Cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa with added sugar and dissolved in hot water or hot milk.
Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.
While not a typical weight loss aid, hot chocolate can fit into a weight loss plan if consumed in moderation, made with low-calorie ingredients, and used as an occasional treat to satisfy sweet cravings. Opting for low-fat or plant-based milk and minimizing added sugars can help reduce its calorie impact.
Mineral Boost: Cocoa is naturally rich in minerals like magnesium, iron, and zinc, which are essential for children's growth, development, and overall well-being.
In terms of nutritional content, carob powder is the healthiest cocoa powder alternative. Similarly to cocoa beans, carob pods are rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber.
Cocoa powder is rich in theobromine, which helps to reduce inflammation and can protect you from diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Since cocoa is rich in phytonutrients but low in fat and sugar, the calories you get from cocoa powder will be packed with healthy chemicals.
Wait until after 12 months, and ideally, closer to 24 months of age. Cacao and chocolate products often contain caffeine, which is best minimized in an infant's diet. Babies under 12 months of age should not be given cacao or chocolate drinks—or any drink other than breast milk, formula, or small amounts of water.
For a sore throat, either warm or very cold liquids are soothing: warm tea, hot chocolate, ice pops, and cold juice. You might want to skip any citrus juices, since they're acidic and can hurt some children's throats.
Hot cocoa (commonly dissolved in milk) is also regarded as a sleep-promoting drink. The cocoa bean is a rich source of many beneficial chemicals, including compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids have a range of potential health benefits, and may be used to treat some neurodegenerative disorders.
Mineral Boost: Cocoa is naturally rich in minerals like magnesium, iron, and zinc, which are essential for children's growth, development, and overall well-being.
Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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myself,but you can use baking cocoa
myself,but you can use baking cocoa
too. Cacao powder is more bitter, so you may need to increase the sweetener slightly if you go this route.
