As winter settles in, we fill our days with slow and simple activities like puzzles and reading, sewing and playing games. We also take extra time to create delicious hearty meals that warm our insides and fill our house with tantalizing smells.
Without a doubt, the most frequently made “meal” in our home is actually a beverage, but because of it’s nutritional components, I won’t fuss over the details. Each morning as we snuggle on the couch (separate couches now that the kids are older) under piles of blankets, the children look at me with pleading eyes. They simply say those two words that mean warmth and cozy in a cup. Hot Chocolate?
This simple treat uses only three ingredients and is a protein-filled, antioxidant-rich drink that can be made without processed, white sugar. (It can also be made with regular sugar if that is what is in your pantry. Keep reading!!) The health benefits of cocoa are tremendous, and I do recommend you go look those up. (They include boosting your mood, helping you maintain a healthy weight, and help during “that time of the month.”) Of course, you can justify drinking this delicious winter staple even if you are not concerned about health benefits.
Below, I will give you three easy ways to make hot chocolate that only need three ingredients, for each of the different ways. The first recipe option is technically a “GAPS” friendly recipe if you tolerate dairy. While you do not need any fancy equipment to make this tasty beverage, there are options at the bottom for increasing the “fun.”
Hot Chocolate for my Honey’s
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Cocoa Powder
- 2 tbsp Honey
- 2 cups Milk
Instructions
- Begin by warming milk on a stove or in the microwave. Be sure to NOT boil the milk!
- In a large measuring cup, combine cocoa powder and honey. Top with a splash of hot water to aid mixing.
- Pour warmed milk* into measuring cup, and stir well. Divide liquid between two mugs.**
Notes
The above recipe is our “go-to” at this time, as I am following the GAPS diet and the children are going along for the ride. However, using honey as the sweetener means you must make it fresh each time you want hot chocolate. Because of this, the kids aren’t willing to make it on their own. I have created the next version as a “kid-friendly” mix that can be made ahead and stored in a mason jar the pantry. It still only uses three ingredients and does not use white sugar.
Hot Coconutty Cocoa
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Cocoa Powder
- 2 tbsp Coconut Sugar
- 2 cups Milk
Instructions
- Begin by warming milk on a stove or in a microwave. Be sure to NOT boil the milk.
- In a large measuring cup, combine cocoa powder and coconut sugar. Top with a splash of hot water to aid mixing.
- Pour warmed milk* into measuring cup, and stir well. Divide liquid between two mugs.*
Notes
If you are interested in making a pre-made cocoa mix, simply combine 1 part cocoa powder to 2 parts coconut sugar in a mason jar and mix well. If you are not in need of using a sugar alternative, simply replace the coconut sugar for white sugar. Also, while we only use raw, local dairy, I’m sure the milk in the above recipes could be subbed for a non-dairy alternative.
Cheers to a cozy Winter!
A video to savor…
A few posts to ponder…
Simple Hot Chocolate Recipe: A recipe video from our days before GAPS
A Snowy Photo Dump: Check out the record-breaking snow we had in 2021
An Icy Adventure: Join us as we take a walk on water
