Superfood Hot Chocolate
Method
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Warm the milk. Heat the milk until warm (not boiling).
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Whisk all ingredients. Add cacao, gelatin, maple syrup, salt, vanilla, cinnamon, and Daily Elements; whisk or froth until dissolved.
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Finish and serve. Pour into a mug and top with marshmallows if desired.
Notes & Variations
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Cacao: Look for cacao powder– it’s less processed and more nutritionally dense than cocoa powder.
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Make-ahead: Pre-mix the dry ingredients and store in a small jar.
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Habit tip: Keep a batch of the dry mix near your kettle for a quick nightly ritual.
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Swap: Use oat or almond milk for dairy-free.
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Flavor twist: Add a pinch of cayenne for a pleasant heat or espresso powder for deeper chocolate flavor.
Dietitian Notes
This nutritionally dense version of hot chocolate is a significant upgrade to sugar-laden grocery store packets. The less processed version of cocoa contains a chockful of nutrients and antioxidants while cinnamon adds warmth and immunoprotective properties. Gelatin not only thickens the hot chocolate but it also adds a bit of protein. Maple syrup is a simple sweetener you can keep modest and also has trace minerals. Daily Elements contributes phytonutrients from microgreens, rounding out this cozy drink with a gentle functional lift.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: With 3 mini marshmallows
|
Nutrient |
Per Serving |
|
Calories |
295 kcal |
|
Protein |
13.6 g |
|
Total Carbohydrates |
28 g |
|
Total Fat |
12 g |
Note: Values are estimates based on USDA data and the Daily Elements Microgreens nutrition facts.
Sources:
https://getdailyelements.com/products/daily-elements-standard
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/gelatin
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Oracz J, Żyżelewicz D. Antioxidants in Cocoa. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020 Dec 4;9(12):1230. doi: 10.3390/antiox9121230. PMID: 33291593; PMCID: PMC7761840.
Pagliari S, Forcella M, Lonati E, Sacco G, Romaniello F, Rovellini P, Fusi P, Palestini P, Campone L, Labra M, Bulbarelli A, Bruni I. Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) Bark Extract after In Vitro Digestion Simulation. Foods. 2023 Jan 18;12(3):452. doi: 10.3390/foods12030452. PMID: 36765979; PMCID: PMC9914695.