Healthy Hot Chocolate

This healthy hot chocolate recipe is the perfect cold weather treat! It's totally vegan and dairy-free, but it's still rich, chocolatey, and delicious.

Lately, Jack and I have been guzzling mugs of this healthy hot chocolate for breakfast. If you’re thinking, “Hot chocolate for breakfast?!”, you have to hear me out. This healthy hot chocolate recipe is a far cry from the Swiss Miss hot cocoa I drank as a kid. It’s naturally sweetened, and nutrient-rich cacao powder takes the place of processed cocoa. Plus, I make it with almond milk, so it’s totally vegan and dairy-free. Fair game for breakfast? 100% yes.

Now, if you think “healthy” is code for “watery” or “bland,” think again. This healthier hot chocolate is rich, creamy, and comforting. For me, it’s an energizing way to start the day, and it’s so delicious that I’m always excited to jump out of bed to make it. Of course, it’s also a great dessert or afternoon treat. Enjoy it on its own, or pair it with a cookie or any baked good you like.

Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipe Ingredients

You only need a few ingredients to make this healthy hot chocolate recipe:

• Raw cacao powder – The most pure form of chocolate, cacao is packed with antioxidants, fiber, and magnesium. It makes this recipe rich and chocolatey, but good for you, too!
• Maca powder – Its malty flavor adds depth to this homemade hot chocolate. But that’s not all! It has health benefits too. It’s chock-full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and it’s said to improve your memory.*
• Almond milk – I use almond milk because it’s what I keep on hand, but feel free to substitute any type of milk you like. Cow’s milk, coconut milk, or my homemade oat milk would also work here.
• Maple syrup – It sweetens this healthy hot chocolate naturally. Plus, I love the maple flavor with the malty maca and rich cacao.
• Coconut oil – For richness and healthy fats! Don’t worry – this nourishing treat is still far lighter than hot chocolate made with whole milk and/or heavy cream.
• Cinnamon – It adds warm depth of flavor. If you like your hot chocolate with a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne as well.
• And a little bit of salt – Don’t skip it! It makes all these delicious flavors pop.

Combine these ingredients in a blender, or whisk them together by hand. Then, transfer the chocolate mixture to a small saucepan and warm it over medium heat. Taste and adjust the healthy hot chocolate. You’ll know it’s right when you can’t stop tasting spoonful after spoonful. Pour it into mugs, top it with coconut whipped cream and shaved dark chocolate, and enjoy!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

More Favorite Winter Treats

This healthy hot chocolate is delicious on its own, but it’s also fantastic paired with these other cozy treats:

• Easy Sugar Cookies
• Vegan Sugar Cookies
• Best Peanut Butter Cookies
• Lemon Cookies
• Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
• Coconut Macaroons
• Lemon Shortbread Cookies
• Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Healthy Hot Chocolate

• 2½ cups unsweetened almond milk
• 2 tablespoons cacao powder (I use Nativas Naturals)
• 1 tablespoon maca powder (I use Essential Living Foods)
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon coconut oil
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Tiny pinch of sea salt

• Coconut whip** (see homemade instructions below)
• Shaved dark chocolate

Make the coconut whip by combining the ingredients in a mixer and mix until whipped and fluffy. Note: some cans of coconut milk are duds - meaning that the solids and the water do not separate and the whip cream will not whip. I've had the best luck using Whole Foods 365 brand full-fat canned coconut milk.

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