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    Home > Recipe Index > Gluten free > Healthy Hot Chocolate with Cacao Powder

    Healthy Hot Chocolate with Cacao Powder

    Published: Feb 19, 2020 · Modified: Jan 4, 2022 by Nicki Sizemore · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This quick homemade hot chocolate with cacao powder is made with milk, honey, cacao powder and a touch of vanilla extract. Let me assure you that it’s nearly as easy to make as a powdered mix, but it’s even more delicious and much more nutritious. It’s a wonderful wintertime “treat” that’s really not a treat at all. [New VIDEO below!]

    Close-up overhead shot of a mug of cacao powder hot chocolate.

    Ingredients

    This healthy hot chocolate is made with just milk (or coconut milk for a vegan variation, see below), cacao powder, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla.

    The ingredients for cacao powder hot chocolate on a countertop.

    How to make hot chocolate with raw cacao powder

    The recipe is super simple. First, whisk raw cacao powder into cold milk with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, a splash of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt (which balances the flavors) until smooth. Whisking the cacao into the milk before heating it allows it to dissolve completely (if you add it to hot milk it can clump up). Warm the hot chocolate on the stove, and you’re DONE! 

    Process shot divided into four quadrants showing the steps for making hot chocolate with cacao powder.

    Hot chocolate variations

    Vegan hot chocolate

    For a dairy-free hot chocolate, simply swap out regular milk for coconut milk. I prefer canned coconut milk (either whole-fat or low-fat) as opposed to boxed milks or almond milk because of its neutral flavor and silky texture (I find that nut milks can give the hot chocolate an off flavor, but that's subjective). To make it vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey.

    Mexican hot chocolate

    To put a Mexican spin on this hot chocolate, add a sprinkle of cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne before heating.

    Hand holding a mug of vegan hot chocolate.

    How to serve hot chocolate with cacao powder

    Now for the fun part. You can absolutely serve this healthy hot chocolate on its own (which is how we drink it for breakfast). However, if you want to take it over the top (and who doesn’t?) you can dress it up! The kids beg for marshmallows, but as for me, I’ll take a billowy dollop of whipped cream, or, even better, Cardamom Whipped Cream. Oh YES. 

    Overhead shot of a mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and cacao powder.

    Tips for making homemade hot chocolate:

    • The best hot chocolate is made with cacao powder, which you can find at many grocery stores or online! Raw cacao powder is healthier and richer in chocolate flavor than regular cocoa powder. However, you can use a good quality cocoa powder in its place. 
    • It’s important to whisk the cacao powder into the milk before heating it up (it will take a bit of whisking to dissolve). If you add the cacao powder to hot milk it can clump up.
    • This hot cocoa is naturally sweetened with honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar, but you can use regular white or brown sugar instead.
    • I love this small saucepan and mini whisk for making hot chocolate, as well as for oatmeal and sauces.
    • For a vegan version, use canned coconut milk in place of the regular milk (I don’t love the flavor of nut milk in this recipe, but that’s subjective). Swap out the honey for maple syrup. 
    • A pinch of salt helps to amplify all of the flavors. 
    • Try this hot cacao with Cardamom Whipped Cream!

    *This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links to products I use and love (from which I earn income, at no cost to you). Thank you or supporting From Scratch Fast!

    Raw cacao powder in a bowl.

    FAQs

    What is raw cacao powder?

    Raw cacao powdered is a less processed form of cocoa powder. The beans are dried at a low temperature before being ground (which is why they’re considered raw). The powder is therefore higher in minerals, enzymes and antioxidants. Even better, it also has a richer, deeper chocolate flavor than regular cocoa powder. I use it in all my baked goods (see below for other ways to use it!). 

    Can you make cacao powder hot chocolate ahead?

    Yes! You can refrigerate the hot chocolate and simply reheat it before serving. The chocolate will settle at the bottom, so just give it a whisk or shake before reheating (I store it in a large jar). If you prefer, you can even serve it as healthy chocolate milk.

    Other cacao powder drink recipes:

    • Superfood Berry Smoothies

    Baked goods that use cacao powder:

    • Healthy Chocolate Pudding from Scratch
    • No Bake Vegan Chocolate Pudding Tart
    • Fudgy Black Bean Brownies
    • Chocolate Quinoa Cake with Cacao Whipped Cream Frosting
    • Easy Chocolate Almond Cake
    • Double Chocolate Zucchini Brownies
    • Crepe Cake with Cacao Frosting
    • Individual Flourless Chocolate Cakes

    Watch the video!

    Stay connected

    I'd love to answer any of your questions and see what you're cooking!! Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube & Pinterest, and be sure to tag @fromscratchfast so that I can share your creations!

    Get the recipe!

    Overhead shot of a mug of hot chocolate with cacao powder, topped with whipped cream.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Healthy Hot Chocolate with Cacao Powder

    This quick homemade hot chocolate with cacao powder is made with milk, honey and a touch of vanilla. It's nearly as easy to make as a powdered mix, but it’s even more delicious and much more nutritious. For a vegan version, swap out the regular milk for canned coconut milk and use maple syrup or coconut sugar.
    Prep Time2 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Total Time7 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: healthy hot chocolate recipe, hot chocolate wtih cacao powder, vegan hot chocolate recipe
    Servings: 2 people
    Author: Nicki Sizemore

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups milk (preferably 2% or whole milk)
    • 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
    • 1 tablespoon honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • Pinch sea salt

    Instructions

    • In a small saucepan, combine the milk, cacao powder, honey to taste (a teaspoon or two should do you), vanilla and a pinch of salt (sometimes I also add a pinch of cinnamon or even cayenne, if I’m feeling racy). Whisk until smooth.
    • Place saucepan over medium heat, and bring the milk to a simmer, whisking often. Give the hot chocolate a taste—if you prefer it sweeter whisk in a bit more honey. Serve warm.

    Notes

    Do Ahead: The hot chocolate can be transferred to a jar and refrigerated for up to 5 days. Shake or stir it before serving (you can drink it cold or reheat it!).
    Tips:
    • The best hot chocolate is made with cacao powder, which you can find at many grocery stores or online! Raw cacao powder is healthier and richer in chocolate flavor than regular cocoa powder. However, you can use a good quality cocoa powder in its place. 
    • It’s important to whisk the cacao powder into the milk before heating it up (it will take a bit of whisking to dissolve). If you add the cacao powder to hot milk it can clump up.
    • This hot cocoa is naturally sweetened with honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar, but you can use regular white or brown sugar instead.
    • I love this small saucepan and mini whisk for making hot chocolate, as well as for oatmeal and sauces.
    • For a vegan version, use canned coconut milk in place of the regular milk (I don’t love the flavor of nut milk in this recipe, but that’s subjective). Swap out the honey for maple syrup. 
    • A pinch of salt helps to amplify all of the flavors. 
    • Try this hot cacao with Cardamom Whipped Cream!

    More Gluten free

    • Baked Butternut Squash Pasta Recipe with Ricotta & Sage
    • Easy Sausage Baked Pasta with Ricotta (One Skillet!)
    • Healthy Gluten Free Apple Honey Cake (Paleo!)
    • Gluten Free Pie Recipes (+ New Class!)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amelia says

      November 19, 2022 at 8:10 am

      5 stars
      We enjoyed this recipe! I might add more cocao powder next time for a richer taste. I love the cayenne and cinnamon tip 😍

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        November 20, 2022 at 1:09 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed!!

        Reply
    2. Olivia says

      November 14, 2022 at 7:08 pm

      5 stars
      Hello,
      I love this hot chocolate!
      I just wondered if you knew the calorie amount per cup?

      Thanks 🙂

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        November 15, 2022 at 2:06 pm

        Hi Olivia, I'm so glad you love the hot chocolate! Unfortunately I don't have a calorie count, which will vary depending on the milk you use. I hope you have a cozy fall!

        Reply
    3. Jean says

      November 11, 2022 at 1:12 am

      5 stars
      I love this hot chocolate drink! I use cacao in my coffee in the morning, makes it much richer. But I'm so glad I tried this hot chocolate recipe. I used honey and I used nonfat powdered milk actually and it turned out great.

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        November 11, 2022 at 5:51 am

        I'm so glad you enjoyed!!

        Reply
    4. jeannie says

      June 23, 2022 at 3:20 pm

      5 stars
      This is now going to be my go to recipe for hot cocoa. Thank you so much Niki, you are a doll.

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        June 24, 2022 at 8:59 am

        Hi Jeannie, thank you for you comment, and I'm so glad you enjoyed!!

        Reply
    5. Meg says

      April 11, 2022 at 10:41 pm

      5 stars
      Very good! The cardamon whipped cream was a life changer. Real, unadulterated food is always going to be healthier despite what some commenters may say. Protein, minerals, nutrients in the FULL-FAT MILK (I used local raw milk), antioxidants, and fiber from raw cacao powder - who needs chocolate-flavored collagen peptides when they can sip on this!?

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        April 12, 2022 at 9:54 am

        I'm with you all the way!! 😊

        Reply
    6. Tanya says

      February 14, 2022 at 12:13 pm

      I tried this recipe twice and the milk split. What am I doing wrong?

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        February 14, 2022 at 2:30 pm

        Hi Tanya, I'm sorry to hear you're having issues! What kind of milk were you using? If you're using whole milk it definitely should not split (if it did split it could be an issue with the freshness of the milk). However, almond milk can split, which is why I don't recommend it for this cacao. Let me know!

        Reply
    7. Fi Lindsay says

      February 05, 2022 at 7:36 am

      Hi. I'm not sure why you call this a healthy drink? Possibly you're not aware of the bad health implications from added sugars and saturated fats? Pretty much all nutritional advice is to keep these to a minimum as they are strongly linked to shorter life expectancy and serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke and type two diabetes.
      If you replaced the milk in your cocoa with low fat milk or a low fat substitute ( coconut milk is high in saturated fats which have yet to be proven to be healthy) and took out the added sugars ( honey/maple syrup) then it would be healthy. Oh and the salt? Unless you have a sodium deficiency then adding salt to anything is not healthy. And really not in anyway needed in a cup of cocoa.
      For sure people may wish to sweeten their drink. But it should be with the minimum amount of sugar necessary for them to enjoy it, and with the knowledge that it isn't healthy and to be aware of guidelines for amounts of added sugars considered to be within safe limits.
      As part of a healthy, wholefood diet, then this could be fine so long as there isn't added sugars and much saturated fat in anything else consumed that day.
      But as a stand alone drink, it's pretty unhealthy.

      Reply
      • BA says

        March 06, 2022 at 11:23 am

        5 stars
        Using honey or maple syrup is healthy. And gives alternatives for sweeteners. Raw cacao has many heath benefits. Ask any nutritionist, this is a much healthier choice than regular hot chocolate!

        Reply
    8. Lala says

      February 01, 2022 at 7:53 am

      Can't wait to try I am going to do oat milk I dot do dairy milk. 🙂

      Reply
      • lala says

        February 01, 2022 at 7:54 am

        *don't lol

        Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        February 01, 2022 at 9:11 am

        Yay! I hope you enjoy!

        Reply
      • H says

        May 12, 2022 at 12:13 pm

        I have tried mine with water and with oat milk using dates to sweeten with pinch cinnamon and pinch chilli. Still not quite happy but tweaking

        Reply
    9. Terri says

      January 15, 2022 at 6:12 pm

      My son brought me a block of raw cacao from Guatemala at Christmas. He's used it with macadamia butter or tahini and oat milk.This recipe is perfect, thank you.

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        January 16, 2022 at 8:45 am

        Hi Terri, what a wonderful gift! I'm so glad you enjoyed the cacao.

        Reply
    10. Emma says

      December 29, 2021 at 8:48 am

      5 stars
      This reminds me of making hot chocolate when I was a kid, using the unsweetened Hershey cocoa but the cacao is much richer. I used to make a paste of a small amount of cold milk with the powder, and used a fork to mix until it was a smooth paste, then added the hot milk. It seems to incorporate the cacao faster than mixing it into the whole cup of milk. I am on a low sodium plan and try to avoid adding salt,, but this is one food that really benefits from just a few grains of sea salt, so I recommend that the salt be added, just alot less than a pinch.

      I also tried mixing the cacao and milk in a blender (for a larger batch) and that worked as well, as long as the powder is added before the milk, to avoid a cacao dust storm 🙂 I think making it ahead and storing in the refrigerator gives it a chance to marry the milk and cacao for a smoother taste. I don't added the salt/honey/vanilla til I'm ready to heat it so it can have sweetness adjusted for each person.

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        December 30, 2021 at 8:52 am

        Thanks so much for your comment! Sometimes I also make a big batch in the blender and heat it as needed. Great tip!

        Reply
    11. Rick Pearce says

      December 20, 2021 at 9:13 pm

      5 stars
      Best homemade hot cocoa recipe I've ever tried! Very rich, but still healthy. Perfect! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        December 21, 2021 at 8:29 am

        I'm so glad you enjoyed, Rick!

        Reply
    12. Shey says

      December 05, 2021 at 8:12 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is amazing. I do not like the fat from adding dark chocolate and this was perfect for me.

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        December 06, 2021 at 7:56 am

        Hi Shey, thank you for your comment, and I'm so glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
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    Meet Nicki

    Headshot of Nicki Sizemore.

    Welcome! I’m Nicki Sizemore, a trained chef, recipe developer and cookbook author. My mission is to help you make wholesome & delicious food from scratch without spending hours in the kitchen. All of my recipes are naturally gluten-free.

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    Grain Free Granola (keto, paleo) #shorts

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