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
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.
Unsweetened cocoa powder (or cacao powder, which is raw chocolate powder) Honey or maple syrup to sweeten it up (use a natural sweetener so you can control the quality and amount of sugar) Vanilla extract to give it a rich, gourmet flavor.
Extra-small chunks Almond Butter Crunch were the most popular toppings of choice. Chocolate chips, finely chopped nuts, crushed graham crackers, and candy cane pieces, also make great options!
Warm the milk in a heat-safe container, like a glass measuring cup, in the microwave for 60-90 seconds. (Or warm in a small pot over medium-low heat on the stove top.) Vigorously whisk in the cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla. Top with marshmallows, if using, and serve.
Wait until after 12 months, and ideally, closer to 24 months of age. Cacao and chocolate products often contain caffeine, which is best minimized in an infant's diet. Babies under 12 months of age should not be given cacao or chocolate drinks—or any drink other than breast milk, formula, or small amounts of water.
Dark chocolate is ideal; a high percentage of cocoa is the recommended option, but there is a risk that children will not enjoy the taste. Then milk chocolate, which is sweeter and smoother, is also fine, as long as it contains a high percentage of cocoa, as for example in the recipe for Venezuela 47% Milk Chocolate.
If it's made with full-fat milk and topped with whipped cream, this will add more calories, and it will be high in saturated fat, which could affect your cholesterol levels. For a heart-healthy version, mix unsweetened cocoa powder with hot low-fat milk and low-calorie sweetener, if needed.
If you are mindful of your overall intake of added sugars and calories and choose a hot chocolate that is lower in sugar and fat, enjoying it regularly can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Opting for skimmed or plant-based milk versions with little to no added sugars is a sensible choice for daily consumption.
One cup of hot chocolate made from a powdered mix provides 6 grams of fat, 9 grams of protein, 2.5 grams of fiber, and some minerals. It's still much more nutritious than black coffee or tea, which contain no calories at all.
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.
For a sore throat, either warm or very cold liquids are soothing: warm tea, hot chocolate, ice pops, and cold juice. You might want to skip any citrus juices, since they're acidic and can hurt some children's throats.
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.
Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.
Is Cacao safe for kids? It's a question we are asked often, and the good news is, the answer is yes! Nutrient-rich Cacao is the perfect wholesome start to their day and an excellent alternative to sugary hot chocolates and flavoured milk.
Drinking hot chocolate milk at night can potentially help improve sleep quality, thanks to the soothing psychological effects of consuming a warm drink and the tryptophan content in cocoa. Plus, milk contains calcium and vitamin D, nutrients important for overall health, including the regulation of sleep.
Hot chocolate can be a comforting and delicious treat, but it is important to remember that, like other sugary foods, it is also high in calories, sugar, and fat. If consumed in moderation, hot chocolate can be part of a healthy diet as it provides some essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, and magnesium.
Additionally, cocoa contains serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating mood and promoting feelings of happiness. I personally can attest to the magical calming effects of a warm mug of cocoa after the kids get home from a rough day at school.
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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.
