Date-Sweetened Hot Chocolate
User Reviews
5
Date-Sweetened Hot Chocolate
Description
This hot chocolate recipe sweetens cacao powder naturally with Medjool dates and incorporates almond butter for creaminess and a subtle nutty flavor. Boiling water is blended with these ingredients until smooth and creamy, creating a drink that is rich but free of processed sugars. Using a blender while hot requires venting or covering the lid with a towel to allow steam to escape safely.
The resulting beverage is velvety with a balance of bittersweet chocolate and sweetness from dates. Almond butter adds body and a mild nutty taste without overpowering the chocolate. The drink can be cooled to a warm sipping temperature or consumed at room temperature as a chocolate milk alternative.
Different nut butters can be substituted, but almond and cashew offer a more neutral flavor. Adjusting the cacao powder amount lets you craft a milk chocolate version better suited for children. Mixing half hot and half cold water provides a more immediately drinkable temperature.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon almond butter (or any other nut/seed butter)
- 1 heaping tablespoon cacao powder
- 2 Medjool dates , pitted (or 2-3 teaspoons maple syrup)
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil. (Tip: I usually boil a little more than a cup, then measure after it's boiled.)
- While you wait for the water to boil, add the almond butter, cacao powder, and dates, or maple syrup, to the blender.
- Add 1 cup of boiled water to the blender, and carefully blend the ingredients together, starting on low speed. Be sure to open the vent at the top of your blender lid, and cover that with a thin dish towel to allow steam to escape. If you do not allow the steam to escape, the pressure could blow the lid off your blender and potentially cause burns (and a mess), so be careful! I put the tamper in my Vitamix lid, and lift it slightly to allow steam to escape, as an alternative to using a towel.
- Blend until smooth and creamy, then pour it into a mug. Allow the hot chocolate to cool to a warm sipping temperature, then enjoy! When it cools, it still makes a delicious chocolate milk.
Notes
- Almond or cashew butter works best for a neutral nut flavor; peanut butter, tahini, or sunflower seed butter will impart stronger distinctive flavors.
- For a mild chocolate taste for children, reduce cacao powder to 1 teaspoon instead of a tablespoon.
- You can mix half boiled water with half cold filtered water to achieve a more drinkable temperature right away.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 1Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 166 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 166kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 14mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 371mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 32g | 64% |
| Vitamin A | 72IU | 1% |
| Calcium | 48mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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