It’s the perfect time to start curling up with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa. However, I often find that typical hot chocolate feels a bit overly sweet and heavy—particularly for my kids! After trying a ton of boxed options, I decided to develop my own kid-friendly healthy hot chocolate recipe.
I’m happy to say this one is a hit! It’s absolutely child-approved and a recipe my own four children ask for all winter long. Even better? It has just four ingredients!
I will note that this recipe is refined sugar free and dairy free. Because of this, it’s not as rich and chocolatey as some people may prefer. I find it’s the perfect amount of sweetness for children or those who are working on health goals, however!
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Easy Hot Cocoa Recipe for Kids
If you haven’t made hot chocolate from scratch before, I’ve got great news: it’s not complicated! In fact, this healthy hot chocolate is so simple to make that it’s almost as quick as the store-bought packets!
In my home, a warm mug of hot cocoa is pretty much a necessity this time of year. Especially forkids, because hot cocoa is a very good motivator to stay outside longer.
You know when they want to come in after 10 minutes, and you’ve spent 15 minutes bundling them up? Just offer them hot cocoa if they stay outside a little longer. It works (almost) every time.
Ingredients
I have to be careful about what I feed my kids (and myself) because we all have food sensitivities. That means we can’t buy the store-bought hot cocoa packets, which are loaded with high fructose corn syrup and other ingredients I can’t pronounce.
So this year, when my children started asking for hot cocoa, I decided to create our own healthy hot cocoa recipe. I’ve come up with a few variations, but this particular version is a favorite with my kids.
In fact, they’ve told me it tastes just as good, if not better, than the old “store stuff.” (Score!)
Here are the four simple ingredients in this homemade hot cocoa recipe:
Cocoa powder – I use cacao powder myself,but you can use baking cocoa too. Cacao powder is more bitter, so you may need to increase the sweetener slightly if you go this route.
Okay, let’s walk through how to whip up a batch of hot chocolate in just minutes.
Grab a small saucepan, and use it to heat the almond milk. Next, whisk in the cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla extract.
Make sure to whisk it well, so there are no lumps.
Alternatively, you can carefully pour it into a blender (or use an immersion blender). Just don’t burn yourself! Blend or whisk until it’s nice and frothy, then pour into a mug and serve.
See how simple that is?
Variations + More Hot Chocolate Recipes
Peppermint hot chocolate: Add a few drops of peppermint extract while you are whisking.
Creamy hot chocolate: Top with a dollop of your favorite whipped cream (use a non-dairy one if you want to keep this recipe dairy-free).
Peanut butter hot chocolate: Yes, I have an entire recipe showing you how you can make a peanut butter hot chocolate!
Want even more ideas? Check out this post with the
YES!Hot chocolate is wonderful for children. It has all the calcium and iron for their growing bones of regular milk, plus it's hot so it warms them up from the inside when it's cold outside, and the chocolate has sugar so they'll actually drink it all.
Hot chocolate has been associated with improved mood and reduced stress levels due to its high cocoa content. The flavanols in cocoa have been linked to increased levels of serotonin, which helps to regulate mood and reduce anxiety. Additionally, theobromine in cocoa can help to reduce fatigue and improve alertness.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to use milk or water when making hot chocolate comes down to personal taste. While some people may prefer the creaminess that milk adds to their cup of cocoa, others might enjoy the lighter flavor provided by using water instead.
Antioxidant Powerhouse: Hot chocolate made with real cocoa or dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants, such as flavonoids, which help protect the body against oxidative stress and reduce inflammation.
Many studies support that consuming chocolate at least once a week helps stimulate your children's brain response. And what is this due to? Chocolate contains flavonoid, a substance that improves blood flow and stimulates neuronal activity while regulating blood sugar levels. Stronger teeth.
Starbucks also serves hot chocolates intended for children at kids' temperature, which is noticeably cooler than standard adult hot beverages to avoid causing harm when consumed immediately.
While not a typical weight loss aid, hot chocolate can fit into a weight loss plan if consumed in moderation, made with low-calorie ingredients, and used as an occasional treat to satisfy sweet cravings. Opting for low-fat or plant-based milk and minimizing added sugars can help reduce its calorie impact.
Mood-boosting effects: Drinking hot chocolate has been shown to increase levels of serotonin and endorphins in the brain, which can improve mood and reduce stress. A healthier option: Compared to coffee, hot chocolate contains less fat and calories and is a good source of antioxidants.
Hot Chocolate is made using solid chocolate melted in warm milk or cream.Hot Cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa with added sugar and dissolved in hot water or hot milk.
But in the event you do, melting a tablespoon of chocolate chips into your mug can make your hot chocolate even richer and a bit sweeter! Vanilla extract: If you love the taste of vanilla, add 1/2 teaspoon into the mug!
Cornflour/Cornstarch: Mix a small amount with cold milk or water to create a smooth paste.Whisk this into your hot chocolate towards the end of the cooking process until it thickens. Double Cream: Stirring in a splash of double cream can instantly enrich and thicken your drink, giving it a velvety texture.
Pop, coffee, energy or sport drinks, fruit punches, hot chocolate, sweetened milks and tea are not recommended for children even if water is added. These drinks are high in sugar and/or caffeine and are not suitable for toddlers or children of any age.
Cacao and chocolate products are best reserved until closer to the second birthday because they contain caffeine. That said, small tastes of chocolate and small sips of atole, champurrado, hot cocoa, or another alcohol-free cacao or chocolate drink after a baby's first birthday are safe.
Hot chocolate is a classic for kids. Hot cocoa often comes in a kids' size of 8 ounces, which is identical to the smallest adult size. With 16 grams of sugar, this is one of the lowest sugar items in the shop. It also has 6 grams of protein and some caffeine.
Too much sugar, especially close to bedtime, will give your child a rush of energy that will make them more alert. Caffeine is in more things than you would think! It can be found in drinks such as hot chocolate, energy drinks, canned fizzy drinks (including diet drinks), tea and coffee.
What is the perfect serving temperature for hot drinks? According to Dr. Fredericka Brown and Dr. Kenneth Diller, mechanical engineering professors at The University of Texas at Tyler, the optimal temperature range for serving hot beverages is between 125°F and 136°F.
Chocolate has even been lauded for having antioxidants and some heart-health benefits. 1 But is it safe for babies and toddlers? The short answer is yes, it's safe for toddlers over 2 years old, but for babies younger than that, doctors advise to avoid all the sugar and caffeine it could contain.
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myself,but you can use baking cocoa
myself,but you can use baking cocoa
too. Cacao powder is more bitter, so you may need to increase the sweetener slightly if you go this route.
