If your 2025 resolution was to read ingredients and make mindful swaps but you still want a cozy, sweet treat, this is the recipe for you. This makes enough for my 3 big kiddos and myself. You could easily double or triple it for a crowd or half it if it's for 1-2 people.
2 cups milk of choice
1 can of coconut milk
2 TBS cacao or cocoa powder
2 TBS pure maple syrup
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Directions:
measure and add everything to a pot
whisk until well combined over medium heat for about 5 minutes
use a ladle or something to carefully transfer from the pot to the mugs
Ingredient Notes:
When choosing dairy milk, I opt for organic and grassmilk when possible. Organic Valley is one of my favorite brands but Maple Hill, and most grocery stores have their store brand as well. If you are dairy free and are going with a milk alternative, look for a nut milk with minimal ingredients, gums, emulsifiers or carrageenan. Something like MALK is just filtered water, almonds/cashews and salt.
Many coconut milks also contain guar gum, which I prefer to avoid. Native Forest and the Thrive Market brand are two that are just organic coconut. Simple and delicious!
Cacao and cocoa powder can be used interchangeably in this recipe. The difference is that cacao is processed at a lower temp and therefore retains more vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants and enzymes and is considered "raw"and has more bitter taste when comparing the two. In this recipe I use cacao and its plenty sweet from the pure maple syrup.
Speaking of syrup, if yours contains anything other than pure maple syrup, it's time to make that swap! Mrs. Buttersworth and the likes have basically everything but maple in them. High Fructose Corn Syrup, Caramel Color, Artificial Flavors, Mono and Diglycerides are not your friend.
This recipe is delicious, free of refined sugar and dare I say, nourishing.
I know the prepackaged envelopes of hot cocoa mix make whipping it up a breeze, but they include 28 g of added sugar, corn syrup, and a slew of other ingredients that don't do our bodies any favors. I promise, once you make this recipe you will never look back.
Stay warm and enjoy!
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