HOMEMADE HONEY SWEETENED HOT CHOCOLATE

Nothing can brighten a cold winter’s day more than hot chocolate. After spending time outdoors in the cold skiing, sledding, or simply playing in the snow, it feels so good to get rid of the many layers of clothing and warm up by the fire place sipping this delicious hot chocolate treat.

To make it lactose free, I use almond milk that’s made from only two ingredients - almonds and water. I add pure 100% Dutch processed cocoa powder. You can also use raw cacao powder - it will have a little more of a bitter taste and be less dark in color but extremely delicious. I blend the cacao powder with a little cold almond milk, vanilla extract, and the honey before adding it to the heated milk to make sure there aren’t any lumps. This already tastes so good on its own but to make it the ultimate treat, you can add some fermented heavy whipping cream or even top it off with some homemade marshmallows. Yummy!

Cacao and cocoa have several health benefits. Raw cacao powder is derived from cold-pressed cacao beans. It’s loaded with antioxidants, rich in magnesium, and a good source of iron - it definitely belongs in the category of superfoods, meaning that it delivers large amounts of nutrients and the health benefits are very high.
Cocoa is the product of high heat processing of the cacao bean and has a milder, less bitter taste. Some of the nutrients are destroyed in the process but it still has a decent amount of antioxidants and minerals. Read the ingredient list of the package and make sure to buy cocoa powder that contains no sugar or food additives, consisting of 100% cacao powder only.

Cacao, cocoa, or any kind of chocolate are not recommended (“illegal”) on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. I reintroduced it to my diet after following the strict diet for a couple of years and being mostly symptom free. Coming from rather severe symptoms of IBS, SIBO, and chronic fatigue, I know my limits and enjoy a few specific added foods such as cocoa, fruit juice, and fruit spreads - as long as they’re sugar and additive-free - only occasionally and in small amounts.

MAKES 4 CUPS

INGREDIENTS
4 1/2 cups almond milk (I use Elmhurst unsweetened milked almonds)
4 tbsp honey
2 tbsp Dutch processed cacao powder or raw cacao powder
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS
Add 1/2 cup of almond milk, cacao powder, honey, and vanilla extract to a small bowl and stir until well combined.

Add 4 cups of the almond milk to a sauce pan. Heat the milk until it starts bubbling.

Add the honey-cacao mixture to the saucepan and stir until everything is dissolved completely.

Optional: Whip together 4 tbsp fermented heavy whipping cream with 2 tsp of honey and add to your hot chocolate or top with homemade honey marshmallows.

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