If there’s one thing that reminds my kids of fall (which let’s be real…fall just gets them closer to Christmas, the real goal!) it’s hot chocolate.  Whenever my son thinks up a “treat” for himself, it usually involves hot chocolate and graham crackers.  A boy after my own heart.

Instead of giving him a cup of refined sugar and chemicals found in most commercial hot chocolate packs, I have developed a yummy and healthy cup of hot chocolate that boasts extra protein and a super food booster.  My kids think it tastes like a melted chocolate bar so everyone is happy.

In our healthy hot chocolate we add a few specific ingredients to kick up the nutrition factor without skimping on the flavor.  Here’s what we add to our healthy cup of hot chocolate.

Coconut Milk:  True, natural coconut milk is a wonderful source of medium-chain triglycerides and saturated fatty acids, both important for overall health.  However, many brands of pre-made coconut milk (even organic brands) contain ingredients that can he harmful to overall health like BPA (found in many brands of canned coconut milk), guar gum (irritating for some, not for others) and carrageenan (inflammatory in the gut).  We use this brand of coconut milk, free of BPA and carrageenan.  It still contains guar gum which doesn’t seem to bother my kids but if you’d like to avoid guar gum altogether you can buy this brand of coconut cream and blend it with water to make a milk.  Or you can make your own homemade coconut milk from coconut flakes.

Raw Cacao Powder:  Raw cacao powder has the highest antioxidant value of almost any food and also tastes like chocolate.  We use this in place of regular cocoa.

Maca Powder: Maca is a mineral powerhouse, full of calcium, magnesium, zinc,  and iron.  It also has been used to help balance hormones and increase energy.

Collagen Hydrolysate: Grass-fed pure protein with gut-soothing and healing properties?  SIGN ME UP.  I try to sneak in 1 tablespoon of collagen hydrolysate into my children’s food per day via drinks and even into their oatmeal!  It doesn’t have any taste and adds extra protein to any meal or drink.

I hope your children enjoy this hot chocolate as much as mine!  For another version, check out this dairy free hot chocolate recipe from Good Girl Gone Green.  And take a look at this post to learn more about superfoods.

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Healthy Hot Chocolate with Protein and Superfood Boosters!

Prep Time

3 mins

Cook Time

5 mins

Total Time

8 mins

 

A healthy cup of hot chocolate

Course: Beverage

Servings: 2 cups

Author: Kula Mama

Ingredients

• 2 cups coconut milk you can use regular organic milk too or another homemade milk substitute
• 2 1/2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
• 2 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon raw maca powder
• 2 tablespoons grass fed collagen hydrolysate
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 shakes cinnamon or more to taste

Instructions

1. In a small sauce pan over low heat, warm the milk until it is steaming but not boiling. Whisk in the raw cacao powder and stir to combine. Whisk in the maple syrup and vanilla. Stir to combine. Next add in the maca powder and stir out any clumps. Finally whisk in the collagen hydrolysate and keep whisking to make sure you work out all the clumps. Add a few shakes of cinnamon and you are all set!
2. Enjoy!