Recipe ReDux Post # 20: All Natural Hot Chocolate That Tastes Amazing

“Beverages Are Hot” is the February Recipe ReDux theme and the challenge was to create a fun, new “healthier drink”.  Well I know hot cocoa is nothing new but an all natural, clean and simple hot cocoa is hard to come by in my opinion, so that’s what I decided to make.  Most of those commercial packets you tear into to make this warm, sweet and tasty beverage have over 10-15 ingredients, many of which are FAR from natural!! How about one with THREE ingredients, a decent dose of fiber, antioxidants and no added table sugar that’s super easy to whip up? I say that’s a score!! I used dates as the sweetener, good quality cocoa powder and almond milk to make it non-dairy as well. So make some of this delicious, chocolatey and semi-guilt free delight and check out the other innovative drinks the Recipe ReDux folks are serving!

Ingredients:

8 ounces milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk)

2 mejool dates (pitted, soaked in warm water for 15-20 min to soften, and skins removed)

1 teaspoon cocoa powder

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed for 1 minute until smooth. Warm in a saucepan or microwave* and serve. For more decadence you can add whipped cream! *A note about microwaving liquids- BE CAREFUL, some safety tips are listed HERE http://www.animations.physics.unsw.edu.au/jw/superheating.htm

Makes One Serving

 Serving Size One 8 ounce hot chocolate Calories 150 Protein 2 g Carb 30 g Fiber 4 g Sugars 25 g Fat 3.5 g Saturated fat 0 g Sodium 180 mg

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