Real Hot Chocolate With a Secret Ingredient
Fess up, moms, and tell me I’m not the only one.
You tuck your children in to bed, and when everyone is asleep and out of the kitchen, you get out a special treat for yourself that you dare not have while the littles are out for fear of having to share.
Yep, I knew I wasn’t the only guilty party. Those little ones have keen ears and noses! They can smell and hear a treat from a mile away!
Hot chocolate is one of those treats I often make for myself during the cold months once the children are in bed. I also make it for them from time to time, but I have to wonder what they’d think if they knew how often I have it when they are in bed! We’ll let that be our secret, okay?
Want another secret? I’ll let you in on my recipe.
Swiss Miss was kicked out of our house long ago. I’m an avid label-reader, and partially-hydrogenated soybean oil, artificial flavors, and corn syrup are ingredients we strive to avoid as much as possible. Thankfully, real hot chocolate is not hard to make at all, and when made from real food ingredients, you don’t have to feel guilty drinking it.
They recipe and technique is simple, and you can tweak it according to your family’s (or just yours if you’re sneaking it in at night) preferences.
Real Hot Chocolate
- 1 1/2 c. whole milk, preferably raw and from your local family farm
- 1-2 T. unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder (I like really dark chocolate, so I go for the full 2 T.)
- 1-2 t. unrefined sugar, honey, or maple syrup (I usually use Sucanat or honey, and find 1 t. is enough for me.)
- 1/4 t. vanilla extract
- a pinch of cinnamon
- 1-2 t. unrefined coconut oil (It’s the secret ingredient! My favorite is the Gold Label oil from Tropical Traditions. This is my referral link which gives new customers a free book on their first order, and blesses our family with a coupon. Thanks!)
- Place milk and cocoa powder in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. As the milk warms, the cocoa will dissolve into it. I often use a fork to break up any cocoa powder clumps.
- Add the sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla, and stir to dissolve. Give it a taste and add more cocoa or sugar to suit your preferences.
- Pour the simple goodness into a mug, and stir in your coconut oil. Once it melts, drink and enjoy!
I know the coconut oil may sound strange to some of you, but you just have to trust me! It’s so very good, and coconut oil has wonderful health benefits! I usually keep a spoon handy to keep stirring it into the hot chocolate since it will float to the top. I do enjoy the hot chocolate without it, but it adds a whole new level of flavor that I miss when I don’t add it.
Paired with cinnamon toast, made with homemade sourdough bread, lots of butter and cinnamon, and a bit of sugar or honey, this is the perfect ending to a busy day!
Do you have a favorite hot chocolate recipe?
I love coconut oil and never tried this before!!
As soon as the kids were in bed I almost ran into the kitchen to whip it up!!
Thanks!!
I love that it is not super sweet too!! Nice and chocolatey!!!
Ha ha! Love it, Janelle! So glad you enjoyed it. š
I am SO gulity of doing that! Even now that I am not with my girls in Mexico I can’t help but to wait until around 9:30pm to make a cup of cocoa. It’s such a habbit now. š Great idea on adding coconut oil, I do that to my coffee, I’ve have to try it next time.
Yep, I look forward to it, too! It’s a very yummy habit to have.
This sounds AMAZING! I love making coffee lattes with coconut oil, but it kind of annoyed me that it just floats on top. If you don’t mind another step in your hot-chocolate-making (and if you can use a small appliance without waking your kids up š ), an immersion blender or regular blender is the perfect tool for emulsifying the coconut oil into the hot drink. I like using my immersion blender because I can stick it right in a big mug, give it a whir, and have a frothy drink with coconut oil in it that’s all mixed in! š
I am so making this. Asap. š
I have thought of using an immersion blender so many times, Jaimie… but I don’t own one. Can you believe it? I keep thinking that it would be the handiest tool, but I never remember to get one. Silly. I saw Aldi has them this week. I really need to get one. It would make this so much dreamier!
Mmmm, my dad grew up in the Caribbean, and they make cocoa tea with cinnamon and bay leaves. It is delicious. I have a bunch of cocoa balls from there and a big bottle of coconut oil. I will have to try adding the oil to the cocoa tea. š
Ooo, Jessica! That sounds delightful! Is the cocoa simmered in water with the cinnamon and bay leaves?
Hi, sweet friend! Just wanted to pop over to let you know that Iām sharing this delicious recipe on my meal plan at The Better Mom this week! Hope it sends some new friends your way! Wishing you and your family a super blessed and joyous Easter! Many blessings, Kelly
Oh super! Thank you, Kelly!
WoW! Takes this treat to a whole new level — thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! I hope you like it as much as I do!
Oooo… thank you thank you for sharing this (with pennywise)…. I am making it TONIGHT!!!!!!! I pinned it to my drinks page on Pinterest!
I hope you enjoy it!
I posted your recipe on my web site with a link to yours – after all i do not want to steal your recipe but i did want to spread the news!
if you mind i can delete it again, i hope it is ok with you!
Nope, looks fine! Thank you for linking!
This sounds delicious! My husband and I were just saying how we need to make hot chocolate. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe! š
Let me know what you think, and if you try anything different!
Seeing that your Butternut Squash Bisque recipe was AMAZING and loved by all, I will gladly try this recipe!!! Thanks for sharing š
Oh, good! I’m so glad they liked it! Hopefully you enjoy homemade hot chocolate, too.
funny you mention coconut oil as your secret ingredient! my daughter just told me her chiropractor was on a new weight loss program and puts coconut oil into his morning cup of black coffee
i have to confess i could it that stuff by the teaspoon! (just like butter – the real butter, preferably home made)
Yes, coconut oil can really aid weight loss! It is quite yummy.