There’s nothing better than warming up with a cup of hot cocoa as you watch snow fall outside your windows.
Traditional packets of hot cocoa mix can include between 10 to 15 grams, or two to four teaspoons, of added sugar, which is about half of the daily limit of 6 to 9 teaspoons recommended by the American Heart Association. This hot cocoa recipe uses unsweetened vanilla almond milk blended with hemp hearts, cocoa powder and cinnamon to create a delicious and creamy sugar-free alternative that you can enjoy all winter long. 
If you’re looking to sweeten it a bit, try adding 1 teaspoon of maple syrup, and you’ll still be having less sugar than you would find in the packaged mix!
Hemp hearts and cocoa powder are great additions to a balanced diet. In addition to satisfying chocolate cravings, cocoa powder contains fiber, minerals and anti-inflammatory flavonols. The hemp hearts add about 7 grams of plant-based protein and are an excellent source of magnesium and phosphorus. Hemp hearts are easily broken down by the blender to make the whole drink creamier. In fact, you can make your own “hemp milk” and use it in place of almond milk in this recipe by simply blending 1 cup of hemp seeds with 3 cups of water. It will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator.
Hemp Heart Hot Cocoa
Serves 1
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Optional: 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Heat almond milk in microwave-safe mug until warm, about 45 to 90 seconds.
- Blend almond milk, hemp hearts, cocoa powder and cinnamon in a blender on high-speed for about 30 seconds.
- Taste and stir in maple syrup if desired.
