Where I live in the Midwest, winter is in full swing: temperatures have dropped and a seemingly endless cloud cover hovers overhead. Flurries of delicate flakes swirl amongst barren branches and, like snow, a quiet has settled over the frosted landscape. For me, this cool pause of the world calls for staying in, wrapped in a thickly knit blanket (or, though I hate to admit it, sitting on the floor heat vent) with a warm drink in one hand and a book in the other. My most frequent drink of choice is a soothing cup of herbal tea or a frothy latte, but my hyper fixation this season has been this divinely rich date hot chocolate.
Unlike your typical powdered hot chocolate- bland, watery, overly sweet- this warming drink boasts a luxuriously creamy texture, a bold chocolate flavor, and a pleasant caramel sweetness from the dates. Plus, being packed with a variety of superfoods, this beverage is as much a health food as it is dessert. Who knew hot chocolate could be both! Regardless of the nutrient density, this date hot chocolate is DELICIOUS. Think a slightly less thick French-style hot chocolate with notes of salted caramel. It’s indulgent, it’s flavorful, it’s PERFECTION!
If your mouth isn’t watering yet, you must be severely dehydrated- get some water and keep reading!
main ingredients:
- Medjool Dates: The core component of this hot chocolate, dates add sweetness and contribute to a thick, velvety texture. This sweet superfood is also brimming with nutrients like fiber, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that are essential to good health. I use Medjool dates because they are widely available and have a wonderful caramel-like flavor, but any type of date will produce a delicious drink. This is my favorite brand, but the California Medjool Dates at Costco are a close second!
- Cacao Powder: Cacao powder is the raw and unprocessed version of cocoa powder. It retains more nutrients than its roasted and alkalized counterpart, possessing a nutritional profile rich in antioxidants and minerals and a bold, authentic chocolate flavor. I choose to use cacao for its nutrient density, but cocoa powder can be substituted in a pinch.
- Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate adds bold flavor, a burst of nutrients, and helps generate a richer product. It’s high in fiber, essential minerals (such as iron, magnesium, manganese, and copper), and full of antioxidants that support our bodies. Aim for a bar with at least 70% cacao for the most benefits. If you prefer milk chocolate, you may substitute it for the dark variation, but your drink will be sweeter with a less robust chocolate flavor and a lower dose of nutrients. Either a chocolate bar or chocolate chips work well for this drink~ I recommend chopping the bar finely, if using.
- Milk: This recipe isn’t picky- you may use any kind you like! Milk adds additional creaminess, but water works just as well.
- Flaky Salt: All other ingredients are supporting roles- the salt is the true star of the show. A pinch of flaky salt enhances more desirable tasting notes, like sweetness and deep chocolate flavor, while suppressing any lingering bitterness. My advice: Do Not Skip This Step!!!
Date Hot Chocolate
A nutritious twist on the beloved drinkable treat of wintertime. A few simple ingredients like dates, dark chocolate, cacao powder, milk, salt, and some cinnamon combine to produce a decadent mug of rich cocoa flavor with an extra dose of nutrients. Top with pillowy homemade marshmallows and a blanket of whipped cream for the sweet, chocolate-filled dessert of your dreams.
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 mug
Ingredients
- 2-3 pitted dates, depending on size and desired sweetness
- 1½ tbsp cacao powder
- 1½ tbsp dark chocolate
- 3/4 cup milk of choice (cow, almond, soy, etc;)
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- generous pinch of flaky salt, for serving
Instructions
- Boil some water, pour over your dates, and allow them to soak until soft and juicy, approx. 5 minutes.
- Drain the dates, adding them to your blender with all other ingredients save for the vanilla extract.
- Blend the mixture for 1-2 minutes until impossibly smooth and creamy.
- Pour the liquid into a small saucepan and heat over medium until simmering. Allow the mixture to simmer for 1 minute before taking off the heat and stirring in the vanilla extract.
- Empty the contents into your favorite mug, sprinkle the drink with flaky salt, and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Diet: Vegan
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