There’s something deeply comforting about a cup of hot cocoa. As a child, I enjoyed the simplicity of instant hot cocoa with little marshmallows, but as an adult, my preferences have evolved to a more refined taste.
This Paleo version of hot chocolate is rich in cocoa and has less sugar. It’s naturally sweetened with dark amber maple syrup and gets a unique flavor from espresso powder.
Consider making extra cocoa syrup base to store in the fridge, allowing you to indulge in high-quality hot chocolate by simply warming some milk!
For the milk, use any variety you prefer. Full-fat coconut milk is great for a luxurious vegan option. Hazelnut, cashew, or almond milk are excellent choices too. It pairs well with both full-fat and low-fat dairy milk.
Add the chocolate syrup to your taste. I typically use about two tablespoons (one ounce) per cup (8 ounces) of milk, creating a perfectly balanced hot cocoa that isn’t overly sweet.
Forgo the marshmallows and instead top your drink with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of finely chopped chocolate. Enjoy it cozied up with a blanket and a good book!
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For the chocolate syrup:
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1/3 cup water
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1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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Pinch salt
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1/2 cup maple syrup
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1 tablespoon vanilla
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1/2 tablespoon espresso powder, optional
To serve:
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1 cup milk per person (such as coconut milk, almond milk, dairy milk, or your preferred milk)
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Sweetener of your choice, like maple syrup or honey, optional
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Coconut whipped cream, optional
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Dark chocolate shavings, optional
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Boil the water:
Bring the water to a boil using a microwave or stovetop.
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Make the cocoa syrup:
Combine cocoa powder and salt in a heat-proof bowl. Pour the boiling water over them, whisk until mixed, and let it sit for five minutes. Stir in maple syrup, vanilla, and espresso powder.
The syrup can be used immediately or stored in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will keep for several weeks.
Sabrina Modelle
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Make the cocoa:
Warm up milk (1 cup per person) using a microwave or stovetop. Transfer it to a mug and stir in 2 tablespoons of syrup per cup. Adjust the sweetness to your liking.
Sabrina Modelle
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 206 | Calories |
| 5g | Fat |
| 30g | Carbs |
| 9g | Protein |
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| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 1 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 206 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| 5g | 7% |
| Saturated Fat 3g | 15% |
| 138mg | 6% |
| 30g | 11% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 3% |
| Total Sugars 27g | |
| 9g | |
| Vitamin C 0mg | 2% |
| Calcium 318mg | 24% |
| Iron 2mg | 8% |
| Potassium 395mg | 8% |
| * The % Daily Value (DV) indicates how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is the general advice for nutritional intake. | |
Note: Nutrition details provided are estimates and depend on the database used. Alternative ingredients may affect calculations. Optional garnishes are not included.
