When I think of the colder months, I can’t help but think about the cozy blankets, comfy clothes and soul-warming food. Being bundled up under a comforter, wearing your favorite fuzzy socks while holding a mug of creamy hot chocolate sounds like the ultimate dream.
I’ve got you covered on the hot chocolate with a recipe sure to make your soul and body happy.
This recipe is full of yummy, healthy goodness – pecan milk, raw honey, coconut oil, cacao powder, cinnamon, turmeric, ashwagandha, and mucuna pruriens. I know some of these ingredients sound crazy but I promise this is great!
Aside from being delicious, here are seven reasons why you’ll want to make this for yourself ASAP.
1. Raw Honey – Raw honey is loaded with antioxidants, is known to reduce inflammation and bacteria, and is said to support healthy tissue production.
2. Coconut Oil – Coconut oil is a medium-chain fatty acid, which is easier to digest and utilize than long-chain fatty acids (which are found in meats, avocados, nuts, etc.). Coconut oil can help reduce inflammation, boost immune system and brain function, and helps with digestion and hormone balance.
3. Cacao Powder – Cacao powder is an antioxidant powerhouse, has a high amount of iron for being a plant based source, supports a healthy heart and brain, and helps boost mood.
4. Cinnamon – Cinnamon has tons of antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, may reduce risk of heart disease, has anti-diabetic effects, and has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
5. Turmeric – Turmeric is known to increase antioxidant capacity in our bodies, reduce depressive moods and reduce inflammation. It’s also suspected to help prevent cancer and Alzheimer’s.
6. Ashwagandha – Ashwagandha is considered a vital herb that can help support brain function and emotional health. It’s also claimed to tonify the immune system, increase levels of super oxide dismutase (an enzyme) in the body, and reduce mental, emotional and physical effects of stress!
7. Mucuna Pruriens – Mucuna Pruriens is a plant extract powder that contains L-DOPA, which is a precursor to dopamine (a chemical that controls the pleasure centers in our brain). Mucuna Pruriens may help to enhance brain function, improve mode, refine senses and support overall well-being.
Finally, here’s how to make this awesome hot chocolate!
Ingredients:
- 4 c. milk of your choice – I used maple pecan milk
- 3 tbsp. raw cacao powder
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil
- 1 tbsp. raw honey
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. turmeric
- 1/2 tsp. ashwagandha*
- 1/2 tsp. mucuna pruriens*
*If you don’t have this, you can skip it!
Directions:
Heat up milk, coconut oil and honey in a medium saucepan until boiling. Turn heat to low and stir in cacao powder, cinnamon, turmeric, ashwagandha, and mucuna pruriens. Continue to stir until well combined and thick.
That’s it! I hope you enjoy!
Naturally,
Ari.
*This post is NOT sponsored, however the Thrive Market link is my invitation link. All thoughts are my own.*
Resources: Raw Honey, Coconut Oil, Cacao Powder, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Aswagandha, Mucuna Pruriens.
77 comments
Oooo! I love hot chocolate! Definitely have to try this recipe.
Let me know how you like it!
I don’t have the last two ingredients and can’t pronounce them. Glad I can still make this without them
They’re definitely unique products but the hot chocolate is just as tasty without them!
I love hot chocolate! I’ll definitely be giving your recipe a try.
Woo! Let me know how you like it!
Yum that actually sounds amazing! I’m big on eating natural, unprocessed foods that offer more benefits than processed junk. I’ll have to give this a try!
Then this is right up your alley! I can’t wait to hear how it goes for you!
So many interesting ingredients in here! I’d love to try this. I’ve always wanted to try turmeric. What’s it taste like?
I think turmeric has an earthy flavor. I’ve seen people use it in savory dishes and in sweet dishes!
This sounds so delicious and I’m sure it would be great on this cold night we’re having. I haven’t heard of some of these ingredients so I need to see where I can buy them around here to try your recipe.
Hi Terri! You can find these ingredients at Thrive Market! I’m sure you can find most of them at places like Whole Foods and even Kroger! But you can also make the recipe without some of them if you’re really in need of something to keep you cozy on a chilly day!
I love hot chocolate. I don’t think I’ve ever had it with honey in it.
It’s a great alternative to the sugar found in most hot chocolate recipes!
This was a great piece in getting you in the mood for cold days. I will try it.
Thank you – I did my job then! Let me know how you like it <3
I’ve tried turmeric powder with warm milk and they tasted not bad. Supposed to help pain so I heard. Hot chocolate is a must for cold weather, Great post, Ari!
Warm turmeric latte’s are wonderful & have so many benefits! But I agree – hot chocolate is definitely a must!
Super food hot chocolate? Brilliant. I need to make this asap.
Thanks Kerri! Let me know how it goes for you!
OOO maple pecan milk, I would drink that just plain, it probably makes this recipe awesome! I love hot cocoa.
The maple pecan milk was pleasantly delicious! It was a great addition : )
The pictures itself are soo good that I wanna have it right away :D… Will try it for sure 🙂
Thanks Kitty! Let me know how you like it!
I love hot chocolate! But I love coffee more. Lol. I haven’t tried turmeric but I have always read about it. The last two ingredients seem hard to find though, I’m glad that it can be skipped.
Ohhh – I’d love to try to add this to coffee for a healthier “mocha”. Thanks for the idea! But yes, the last two ingredients aren’t things that people typically have on hand so they are totally optional!
Hot chocolate is one of my favorite drinks this time of year. I love that you have it full of healthy ingredients.
My daughter LOVES hot chocolate. I should make this for her!
I thought I was pretty up to date with superfoods, but I have never heard of ashwagandha! Looks really good tho 🙂
xx nicole
http://www.nicoleparise.com
I have all of these ingredients (except the ones you underlined) so I may be giving this a try tonight!
Kirsten – thewanderingbrunette.com
I would so give this a try! I do love hot chocolate.
I love hot chocolate, and it’s even better when it’s healthy!
What I wouldn’t give to have a steaming mug of this hot chocolate in front of me right now (my fingers are frozen). I love that mug, too – I want to find one for myself!
My kids love hot chocolate, I am not a huge fan of it. I guess I should start drinking it like this if it’s helpful !
I’ve really tried getting “in” to super foods lately-thanks for these suggestions. I recently started getting into wheatgrass juice and now will have to try out this healthy hot cocoa recipe. Cheers!
I love hot chocolate! I really need to try this! It looks delicious, and I have most of those things on hand, already.
We love hot chocolate! We will have to check this out!
I could just feel the goodness and health benefits reading it off my computer screen! What a healthy way to get your hot chocolate fix!
Oh wow, can I make this right now?!? I love all the superfoods you included, especially turmeric.
This looks like an absolute winner of a hot chocolate. An adult version of a good hot chocolate ?
My favorite go to drink hot choc. and or coffee! So love it
This looks so delicious and guilt free! I had to Pin it to make later!
Oh my gosh, this is amazing! It sounds so delicious and I’m glad that it is a healthier version.
Pecan milk? I’ve got to find some, your cocoa sounds so good! I think I’ll be making this for my family soon!
Wow that is quite the hot chocolate recipe! Sounds so good!
This looks delightful and I cannot wait to try it! Looks so healthy!
it looks so good and inviting! I need to check this out asap 🙂
oh goodness never put that much focus on hot chocolate before glad you did and shared the great information
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
I love raw cocoa and other superfoods, such as turmeric, goji berries! I’ve heard of thrive market before.
I believe it is 40 degrees outside right now. I can really go for some of that hot chocolate.
This is amazing! I am totally going to make it…but I think I’ll add some of my essential oils as well! SO excited to try it!
My children and I love to drink hot chocolate during the Fall and Winter months. We are planning on going to Detroit’s Thanksgiving Parade this year. I was already thinking about buying a thermos to keep hot cocoa in. Your recipe would be perfect for the occasion!
Wow, this sounds like a super hot chocolate. I am use to making them will hot milk and marshmallows but have never made one with honey before.
We have been vegan for about 7 months now and only eat a plant based diet. I have been using many of the things you listed however never thought of putting them together like this. Especially pecan milk!!!
oooooh this looks delicious!!
Wow I should have a cup of this every morning! Great post 🙂 xo
Hm this sounds delicious – perfect for winter time! 🙂
I bet this tastes rich and creamy! Looks incredible. I’ll let you know how it goes when I try it out!
I have never made my own chocolate but sounds fun and delicious
This looks an amazing treat. Thank you so much for sharing, I’m going to have to try this out!
I always focus on hot chocolate on cold days. I have never had Tumeric though
This looks so good! I always run out of hot chocolate packets so I’ll give this is a try when I run out again haha
http://www.diaryofatorontogirl.com
Hot chocolate is always a must around here. We will definitely have to check this out.
Wow! I’m a chocolate lover and I think I would love it. This is really perfect for cold days especially on night.
After reading all the ingredients that’s in this chocolate, I can see why you would call it a super food hot chocolate. I could use a cup of that right about now!
My goodness this looks absolutely delicious and I want to try it right away which could come so handy during winter in particular. The healthy combination of ingredients like Honey, Coconut Oil, Cinnamon, Turmeric and Ashwagandha makes it a wonderful energy drink as well for sure.
Great post! Absolutely love your photos 🙂 Who doesn’t love hot chocolate – craving this after reading your post.
vincent
http://vincentcarabeo.com
Just in time for this time of the year. I need to look for this. Nothing like a good book and some hot chocolate.
Oh my gosh, this sounds AMAZING!!! I need to buy some of this stuff and make it asap! Great recipe!
I love hot chocolate and this looks amazing! I so want to try this now.
I love hot chocolate every once in a while. I love that this one has super ingredients too
This is very different that what I am used to when it comes to hot chocolate, but this does sound like it would be really good and I’m going to be trying it this year
This looks yummy and healthy, indeed, I think this will good for athletes too!
I always knew chocolate is good for us! This is definitely something that I’d love to prepare for me and my girls. It’s packed with benefits.
This sounds so good and healthy! except I’d spoil the healthy part with a big topping of whipped cream!
Sounds delicious! I love hot chocolate and never knew the health benefits
Oh my gosh this sounds so good!! And I love that it’s good for you too. I definitely need to try this, especially because I’ve been under the weather lately!