Healthy Hot Chocolate

This is my go-to drink when I’m craving something sweet and cozy. After what feels like an endless winter, I’m so happy to see the blue skies again. Although the sun is making its appearance, the evenings are still a bit chilly. This warm, rich, and sweet drink is exactly what I’m craving. In the past, I’d reach for a chocolate bar, but these days I’m trying to be more mindful of the food I eat. This hot chocolate feels like the perfect indulgence without overloading on refined sugars or dairy.

Cacao is the raw, unprocessed version of cocoa, and when paired with warm oat milk and a touch of date syrup, it tastes incredible. Cacao is rich in antioxidants, which are known to fight inflammation and improve heart health. It’s also packed with magnesium, an essential mineral that can help reduce stress and promote better sleep. Date syrup, on the other hand, is simply pulverized dates, and since it’s a whole food, our bodies process it better than refined sugars. It’s naturally sweet and provides a slow-releasing energy boost, unlike the quick spike followed by a crash that refined sugars often cause.

I usually make this on the stove when I’m preparing more than one cup, but I use the microwave when it’s just for me. Occasionally, I make a weaker version for my toddler by adding a splash of my hot chocolate and topping it off with cool oat milk. He’s inherited my love for chocolate, so it’s nice to share, but it’s important to note that cacao contains caffeine.

Once you start making this hot chocolate, you might be surprised at how overly sweet other hot chocolate starts to taste. That was certainly the case for me. Enjoy it at home, from the comfort of your sofa, or from a flask or to-go cup out in the wild!

---

Ingredients

• 1 cup oat milk
• 1 tbsp cacao powder
• 1 tsp date syrup

---

Instructions

1. Warm the oat milk on the stovetop for 2-3 minutes over medium heat, or in the microwave for about 1.5 minutes.
2. Add 1 tbsp cacao powder into a mug.
3. Pour a splash of warm milk into the mug and stir to form a paste.
4. Add the remaining milk and stir well. I like to use a small milk frother to combine, but a spoon or small hand whisk will work just fine.
5. Add 1 tsp of date syrup and stir. Enjoy!

---

Tips

Richer option: If you want an extra creamy version as a treat, try using full-fat coconut milk instead of oat milk.

Play around with the sweetness: I generally like my drinks less sweet, but you can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less date syrup, depending on your taste.

Alternate milks: I love using oat milk, but it would work just as well with other plant-based milks. Coconut milk in particular would change the flavor in an interesting way. Aim for unsweetened milks to avoid adding processed sugar into your diet.