I was ECSTATIC when I tried this healthy hot chocolate recipe out a few years ago and it ended up actually being delicious! It meant that I could enjoy hot chocolate again for the first time since my cancer diagnosis in 2008. The bonus is that chocolate in its less-adulterated form of CACAO is actually GOOD for us. After some tweaking over the years, I finally got it exactly the way my family loves it, but there are also some options for changing it up for your individual dietary needs.

This frothy recipe with minuscule guilt-factor is extremely scrumptious and makes it hard to resist another cup. I think you’ll love it! 🙂

Homemade, Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipe

Updated: December, 2018

So how much chocolate should we be eating exactly? First of all, it is important to note that the benefits of chocolate are best-received when it is made from 72% or more cacao, or the raw chocolate plant. This is ground into COCOA, the powdered form of raw cacao. Most of the studies I read that cited health benefits used chocolate containing 70% or more cacao.  And of course, ORGANIC is best so you don’t have to worry about pesky GMO-chocolate or pesticides.

Also, check the sugar content. You want to find chocolate with the lowest sugar content possible. I found 72% cacao chocolate bars at both Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s with under 6 grams of sugar per ounce. If you can only find chocolate with a higher sugar content, you’ll need to reduce the amount of stevia or sweetener you add.

Now if you’re fighting cancer currently, I would suggest frequent GREEN TEA consumption rather than this recipe. I don’t think it would be immediately hurtful, I just don’t think it would be proactive in fighting cancer since healing with diet/ alternative protocols takes LASER focus.

However, I did happen to find evidence linking chocolate to tumor-reducing activity in lymphoma cells. You can also read about the many studies that have been done regarding chocolate’s health benefits HERE and then make your own call to whether you feel it would be beneficial in your case.

Other benefits of dark chocolate made up of 72% or more CACOA are:

• it lowers the risk of alzheimer’s disease
• its anti-inflammatory properties to promote quicker healing and less likelihood of most degenerative disease (cancer) and allergies
• it protects against high blood pressure and gestational diabetes in pregnant women
• it can lower blood pressure
• it can increase overall cardiovascular health

Homemade, Healthy Hot Chocolate

• 8 oz organic unsweetened almond milk (or any milk you prefer)
• a 2 x 1.5 inch piece of 70% or higher cacao dark chocolate bar (this is ~3 x 5 cm)
• 9-12 drops of liquid stevia or ~1 Tbsp of honey or maple syrup
• 1/8 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan add chocolate and melt over medium heat.
2. Add milk and vanilla (optional) to the stovetop and with a fork mix melted chocolate with the milk and bring heat to desired temperature.
3. Add 10-12 drops stevia or other sweetener.
4. Pour into mugs. ENJOY!

Double or triple the recipe and make some for friends and family! My daughters love this recipe. While you’re sipping, why not share some of the chocolate health benefits you learned about in this post. (;

*Some other options: If you do not have dark chocolate you can substitute 1 Tbsp of organic cocoa powder per 8 ounces of milk. 🙂

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