Enjoy a mug of hot chocolate while doing something good for yourself. This keto hot chocolate with maca and cinnamon is low carb, tasty, full of antioxidants, boosts energy levels, and improves mood.
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This is the time of year when I trade cold salads for warm ones, light food for comfort food, and smoothies for warm and soothing drinks. Don’t get me wrong, it’s always a good time to have a smoothie, but lately, I find myself heavily gravitating towards warm and comforting drinks.
I think the body intuitively knows what it wants. Balance. Yin and yang, night and day, hot and cold…you get the idea.
Hot chocolate takes me back to being a child, as so many things do. The distinct memory of my mother warming up milk on the stove comes to mind. Frigid temperatures, short days. She would have me gently stir the pot to prevent the skin from forming on the surface while preparing the sugar and cacao. Without fail, I would lick my finger and dip it in the sugar bowl while she poured the hot chocolate in a mug.
Hot chocolate in hand, I’d slump on the couch in our little living room and daydream. A favorite pastime of mine.
The hot chocolate tradition continues in my family and little faces light up at the mention of it. Only these days, my children like to sneak marshmallows and whipped cream instead of sugar.
So, I’ve decided to go for a more grown-up version for the adults, trading the whipped cream and marshmallows for keto maca, cardamom, cinnamon, coconut oil, and keto sweetener. The combination makes for an indulgent yet healthy and beneficial hot chocolate you’re going to want to have all season long.
So let’s talk a little bit about this healthy hot chocolate, because not only is it delicious, but offers a wide array of benefits.
Keto Hot Chocolate With Maca and Cinnamon
- Quick to make
- Makes for a perfect snack
- Is hormone balancing
- warming
- gut healthy
- antioxidant-rich
- stress relieving
What is Maca?
Maca is a Peruvian root grown in the Andes mountains. It has a deep, earthy and nutty taste that pairs extremely well with chocolate.
Health Benefits of Maca
Maca offers a wide array of health benefits. Among them are:
- Increased energy and endurance
- Improved mood
- Hormone balancing in both men and women
- Increased fertility
- Improved memory and focus
- Reduced symptoms of menopause
Raw Cacao vs. Cocoa Powder
Sure, you could use cocoa powder for this recipe but you would be missing out on the real benefits of this superfood. Raw cacao can:
- Provide a high does of antioxidants
- Can improve mood
- Can balance hormones
- Is heart-healthy
- Has been shown to aid in weight loss
While your typical all-purpose cocoa powder has been highly processed and often contains additives. So when possible stick to real cacao.
How To Make This Keto Hot Chocolate?
What you’ll need for this warming drink is raw cacao, the plant milk of your choice, maca powder, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, coconut oil, and an optional keto sweetener of your choice. Add all ingredients to a pot and heat on medium-low for 5 minutes. Add the mixture to a blender and blend until frothy.
Is A Blender Required?
I highly recommend it. You can’t get the frothy texture any other way besides using a blender. You could certainly mix all ingredients by hand but I would leave out the coconut oil if you don’t have a blender available.
Variations For Keto Hot Chocolate With Maca And Cinnamon
If you don’t have cardamom, no stress, you can easily leave it out. The same goes for maca, though I highly recommend it for all the above-mentioned reasons! If you don’t like the taste of coconut, use just a little bit of coconut oil just for the froth. You won’t be able to taste much of the coconut anyway as this drink is very chocolate forward. Again, if you don’t have raw cacao, you can still enjoy this with cocoa powder.
And if you want to take this drink to another level, you can add an adaptogen to it. My favorite one is Ashwagandha powder. I hope you enjoy this adult very of hot chocolate as much as I do!
More Warm Drinks You May Like:
📖 Recipe
Keto Hot Chocolate with Maca and Cinnamon
Enjoy a mug of hot chocolate while doing something good for yourself. This keto hot chocolate with maca and cinnamon is low-carb, full of antioxidants, boosts energy levels, and improves mood.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups almond, cashew or coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao
- 1 teaspoon maca powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- keto sweetener of your choice (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon ashwagandha powder (optional)
Instructions
1. Add all ingredients to small sauce pan.
2. Heat for 5 minutes on medium heat.
3. Add mixture to blender and blend for 20 seconds.
4. Serve right away with a sprinkle of cinnamon if you wish.
Recommended Products
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Nature Nate’s 100% Pure Raw & Unfiltered Organic Honey; 32-oz. Squeeze Bottle, Honey’s Balanced Flavor and Wholesome Benefits, Just as Nature Intended (Packaging may vary)
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Garden of Life Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - Unrefined Cold Pressed Plant Based Oil for Hair, Skin & Cooking, 14 Oz
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Simply Organic Cardamom, 2.82 Ounce
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Simply Organic Ceylon Cinnamon, Ground | Certified Organic | Kosher Certified | 2.08-Ounce Glass Bottle
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Maca Powder Organic - Peruvian Root Premium Grade Superfood (Raw) - USDA & Vegan Certified - 226.7g (8oz) - Perfect for Breakfast, Smoothies, Baking & Ice Cream.
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Terrasoul Superfoods Raw Organic Cacao Powder, 1 Lb - Raw | Keto | Vegan
Raia Todd
Such a gorgeous cup of cocoa! I love the added cinnamon and maca - so nourishing and delicious at the same time!
Daniela Modesto
Thank you my friend! I love the stuff so much - I truly can't get enough of it!
Kristen Wood
These images are so magically beautiful, my friend! And this recipe has about every single one of my favorite ingredients - YUM!!
Daniela Modesto
Thank you so much my dear friend! I'm with you! I feel so good after drinking it!!
Jody
This was so good. I have been off all but natural sugars and so many other foods. But I still watch how much natural sugars I have. So this drink definitely helped me not to have a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. I m so happy I have never been addicted to coffee. But I do like a specialty drink once in a while. Thank-you again !!!! I love 😍the combo of spices 😋😋🤤
Daniela Modesto
Thanks so much for your kind words, Jody! That's so fantastic to hear! I feel the same way...it's just a little something special I like to make during the day and it's so satisfying too!
Suzanne
This looks so good! What a great way to make a treat more nutrient dense!
Daniela Modesto
Thank you so much, Suzanne! I'm having one right now 🙂 My favorite little treat!
Vanessa
Thanks for sharing! Does it reheat well?
Daniela Modesto
Absolutely, Vanessa! My suggestion is to just add a little coconut oil again and give it spin in the blender to froth it again. 🙂
Carrie
I’m wondering if you have to add a sweetener? Is there one you suggest?
Daniela Modesto
Hi Carrie! Some good options are honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, regular sugar. If you're following a low-carb lifestyle, keto honey, keto maple syrup, keto sugar are also great! I hope this helps!
Lindsey
I made it with oat milk and it was absolutely delicious. A subtle sweetness with a thick creamy texture. Thanks!
Daniela Modesto
That sounds so good, Lindsey! I'm most definitely going to try it with oat milk now!
Patrice
I love this drink! It reminds me of a cacao drink that I had in Sedona, Arizona. I used a mason jar to shake all of the ingredients together and then heated it in a saucepan and it was creamy and frothy and delicious! I added a square of my favorite cacao chocolate bar for a little more decadence!
dmodesto
Well, this just made my day! Thank you so much!! And that is just a lovely memory!
Lia'
Such a warming and comforting cup of cocoa 🙂
I use maple syrup as my sweetener and it perfectly balances with everything. My go-to for a pick-me-up!
dmodesto
Hi Lia! Oh that's so wild, I just finished my cup! I'm so thrilled to hear that and I'm acually with you and believe that maple syrup works best! Thank you again for the wonderful comment!