Happy almost holidays, guys!
I don't know about you, but I love how nostalgic and festive Hot Cocoa feels. My Mom always made it on snow days, and around the holidays. Back then my brothers and I always requested it extra sweet. We drank it while watching Home Alone for the 500th time (I still love that movie.)
But these days an overly sweet Hot Cocoa is not super appealing. I feel like Hot Cocoa is one of those things where it's tough to find a balance between syrupy-gives-you-a-toothache sweet, and flavorless tastes like someone dropped a hersey kiss in hot water. You feel me?
SO I set out to make my own healthier but seriously delicious hot chocolate. It turned out to be a major crowd pleaser, and is perfect for the holidays, and all winter long.
I used baking cocoa - which you can pretty much find at any grocer - as the base, and it lent that perfect rich cocoa flavor without all the added sugar.
The crushed candy cane and dark chocolate chips added the perfect hint of chocolate peppermint. But you can skip the toppings if you don't have candy canes lying around.
Recipe Notes:
- You can adjust the amount of honey depending on how sweet you like cocoa
- Dairy free whipped cream is optional but SO good! If you use more of this you'll want less honey as eventually the whipped cream melts into drink
- If you prefer cow's milk - swap out the nut milk, and go for it.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tsp Baking Cocoa powder ( I used the Equal Exchange Brand from Whole Foods)
- 1 - 1 & 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1 cup almond milk (or however much fits in your mug!)
- Dairy free whipped cream (I used So Delicious Coconut Whip) *optional
- Crushed candy canes *optional
- Mini dark chocolate chips *optional
RECIPE
- Heat almond milk either stovetop or in the microwave
- Add baking cocoa, and stir well
- Stir in honey to taste
- Add your toppings ! Whipped cream, candy cane pieces and dark chocolate chips are my favorite
PS- If you're feeling cheeky you could even add a little Baileys. My husband likes his this way.
Wishing you all the merriest holiday season! XO -
Beth
