Nourishing Protein Hot Chocolate

Who doesn’t love a warm, cozy mug of hot chocolate on a rainy day? Hot chocolate was a staple in our house growing up, especially as a warm treat after coming in from shoveling snow on a cold winter New England day. Something that I have incorporated from my childhood into this elevated protein hot chocolate recipe is always making hot chocolate with milk, never water. Using milk (especially whole milk) truly creates a creamy, more flavorful drink and if using cow’s milk, can also be a boost of protein and healthy fats! This is about all that’s the same as my childhood hot chocolate which consisted of good ol’ Swiss Miss bagged hot chocolate that you simply just dump into some boiling milk. Now don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Swiss Miss every once and awhile for pure enjoyment and nostalgia. But, as I have mentioned in a few posts on my blog, a big goal of mine, especially as a nutrition professional, is to incorporate as many nourishing whole foods in my diet as possible. And teach you how to do this as well!

Hot chocolate is something I crave often during the fall and winter months, especially for an after-dinner sweet treat. I don’t love the idea of drinking highly-processed bagged hot chocolate that often and I wanted to find a way to make this desserty drink more nourishing for my body so I feel good not only mentally drinking it, but physically too. One way I have elevated my hot chocolate is to use all natural cocoa powder, pure maple syrup as the sweetener, and then some vanilla extract for flavor. Now this is delicious all on its own, but I knew there was more I could do to not only enhance the flavor, but also boost the nutrients in my cozy drink. This is where the bone broth, turmeric, cinnamon, and Himalayan pink salt come in. 

Bone broth is yet another magical staple ingredient in my pantry and it can be used for SO many things, even yes, hot chocolate. It adds a richness in flavor but you would never know that you have full blown chicken stock in your dessert drink. The turmeric and cinnamon are not only added for a delicious spicy flavor, but also for anti-inflammatory benefits. Pink Himalayan salt adds the perfect salty pinch to the chocolate flavor that enhances the richness. Seriously, who knew such nourishing ingredients could be so delicious and be put in hot chocolate? I know these ingredients might scare you off, but give it a try. You won’t regret it.

Nutrition Facts:

• Bone broth is definitely a new craze in the nutrition world and I don’t say this often, but this one is worth the hype. Bone broth is a nutrient powerhouse because the stock is made from simmering animal’s bones and connective tissues. These bones and tissues transfer such a rich array of vitamins and minerals into the broth, and not only that, it also transfers tons of amino acids which makes it so high in protein. Research has suggested that bone broth is anti-inflammatory, can help support bone and joint health, and provide your body with essential micro- and macro-nutrients. It is such a good replacement for regular chicken broth because of these added benefits. Try using it in soups/stews, to cook rice or grains, or even just sipping on a warm mug of it as a snack. Better yet, try it in my protein hot chocolate!
• Turmeric is a spice that originates from India and comes from the root of a plant. It has been studied for decades and was originally used as a medicinal component as well as in dishes such as curry. The most supportive research is that turmeric is a powerful antioxidant and provides great anti-inflammatory benefits. It truly doesn’t have much flavor and is often used to provide a yellow color rather than for flavor, but also packs a nutrient punch.
• Pink Himalayan salt is not only a pretty garnish, but it has also been stated to contain an array of minerals and trace elements because it comes from salt mines in Pakistan. This salt is grown and surrounded by tons of other minerals which actually gives it its pink coloring. The research to support major health benefits is very limited, but adding this to your dishes or hot chocolate can boost some nutrients, even if they are in small quantities. Many table salts also contain an array of additives for shelf stability, so pink salt can also serve as a more natural form of salt for your dishes due to it not typically containing as many additives.

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 1 cup cow’s milk – Whole milk gives the best flavor
  • Note: You can use a high protein plant-based milk if you are dairy-free or vegan
• ½ cup bone broth (no or low sodium is best)
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp half & half
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp high quality cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp turmeric
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of Himalayan pink salt

Instructions

1. Whisk bone broth and milk together in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, whisk occasionally to avoid burning the milk.
3. Once a boil is reached, reduce to a simmer and add the remaining ingredients to the saucepan.
4. Whisk vigorously until all the cocoa powder is dissolved and all ingredients are well incorporated.
5. Simmer for about 2 minutes, continuously whisking.
6. Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy the chocolaty deliciousness!
7. Tip: Drink with a spoon in your mug and stir occasionally between sips. Since it’s a natural hot chocolate, sediment at the bottom is normal!