Rich, with an intense chocolate flavor, this HEALTHY Gingerbread Hot Chocolate is the perfect Holiday drink! It's creamy and smooth, loaded with super spices - Ceylon cinnamon and ginger - and powerful ANTIOXIDANTS from raw cacao. It's Christmas in a cup. A guilt-free treat you can enjoy all winter long.
Yup, it's THAT time of year. The time for squeezing on the couch under the soft blankets while favorite Christmas movie is on TV. It's time for sweet Christmas cookies and hot drinks that warm up bellies and our hands.
I absolutely LOVE that feeling of coziness and warmness while holding a hot cup. Actually, I love that overall Christmas mood.
This year Christmas entered my house like REALLY early. I already made one bunch of Honey Cinnamon Cookies. And my hubby expressed the desire to bake him his favorite Vanilla Almond Crescent Cookies soon too. Not to mention I made (and ate) a few bunches of sweet Gingerbread Energy Balls in the last few weeks.
Yup, It's the end of November and I'm all in Christmas mood. I even have Christmas playlist on.
Hot Chocolate has always been one of my favorite drink during the colder days. Especially around the Christmas. Last year I binged on all sorts of flavored hot chocolate drinks. My personal favorite was Cacao Turmeric Maca Hot Chocolate. But I've mixed all sorts of spices and flavors.
This particular Gingerbread Hot Chocolate I whipped up for the first time just after the Christmas last year. I fell in love like instantly, but it was too late to share the recipe on my blog then.
So this year I decided to give you the recipe super early so you can start enjoying this deliciousness with me and celebrate early Holidays. I say why not!
This divinely fragrant and extremely flavorful Gingerbread Hot Chocolate is absolutely amazing. It's thick, creamy and in one word - delightful.
Although it looks really decadent and loaded with calories, it's actually made with all natural HEALTHY stuff and packed with nutrients and powerful antioxidants from SUPERFOODS. You really don't have to feel guilty if you have a cup or two of this beauty. + This hot chocolate is naturally sweetened and therefore completely guilt-free.
How to make Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
To make this delightful hot drink you will only need a few simple ingredients and it will take you literally a few minutes to make it.
I used cashew milk this time. Although it's good with soy milk too. Both kinds of milk are naturally sweet, creamy and mild tasting so they don't interfere with other flavorings in this drink.
The star of this hot chocolate drink is, of course, CACAO POWDER - a raw unprocessed. Pure, divine and so HEALTHY.
Raw cacao is made by cold-pressing unroasted cacao beans. The process keeps the antioxidants and enzymes in the cacao and removes the fat - the cacao butter. Raw cocoa powder has so many health benefits. It reduces the inflammation and it's super-duper for our heart health. Also, cocoa is known for its good-mood benefits.
And yes, cacao powder is used to make CHOCOLATE.
What makes this hot chocolate drink SO irresistible and soooo good is homemade gingerbread spice mix. I used a SUPERSPICES - sweet-scented Ceylon cinnamon, spicy GINGER, and flavorus nutmeg. I also added a dash of minced cloves.
This spice mix I use throughout the whole Holiday season for making gingerbread flavored smoothies, lattes, desserts - like Gingerbread Loaf Cake - and other Healthy Christmas Cookies. This spice mix is a must during holidays really.
As I said, I haven't added any sweeteners in this Gingerbread Hot Chocolate drink, but you can definitely adjust the taste to your liking. If you plan to sweeten this drink up, I recommend using pure maple syrup or even better - natural HONEY. Honey is nature's immune booster and it's perfect for the upcoming cold days when we expect cold and flues attack.
I did add a teaspoon of blackstrap molasses in this super hot drink. Molasses is the dark, rich, slightly sweet byproduct of the sugar making process. It is used as a sweetener and flavoring in many goods. I used it here to enhance the ginger flavor. It did a job pretty well.
Whipped cream on top is optional, but you don't really need to skip it. I used whipped coconut cream that is fatty - but in a good and HEALTHY way fatty.
Why I love this Gingerbread Hot Chocolate drink?
- It’s loaded with nutrients that promote good health.
- It’s made with all natural REAL ingredients.
- It’s refined sugar-free, dairy free, vegan and gluten-free.
- It’s enriched with superspices – Ceylon cinnamon and ginger.
- It’s packed full of immune-boosting antioxidants.
- It helps with balancing hormones naturally, boost energy levels and uplifts mood.
- It’s low-calorie drink, 100% weight loss friendly.
This delicious Gingerbread Hot Chocolate is the perfect warm drink to celebrate the holiday season. It's creamy, smooth and so sweet, with incredible gingerbread flavor!
This homemade SUPER HEALTHY drink will get you in the holiday spirit, FAST. You don't want to miss this out.
Enjoy!
Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashew milk or soy milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon blackstrap molasses
- 1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Honey or maple syrup to taste
Toppings:
- Whipped coconut cream
- Cacao beans
- Cocoa Powder or dark chocolate for dusting
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat the milk with vanilla.
- Add cocoa powder, molasses, and spices. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until cocoa is dissolved completely. Do not overcook and do not boil.
- Cook for few minutes, just until the mixture is steaming and is warmed thoroughly. Add maple syrup or honey to taste (optional).
- Remove from heat and pour into mugs.
- Top with whipped coconut cream, and dust it with cocoa powder, roughly chopped dark chocolate or crushed cacao beans.
Notes
Nutrition facts are calculated without toppings.
Nutrition
Try these HEALTHY holiday treats too:
Almond Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Cinnamon Balls
Healthy Coconut Bites
Turmeric Cacao Energy Balls
These are my recommendation for this recipe:
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Georgie says
This looks so cozy and inviting!!! I love the flavour combination ginger is always perfect for the holidays!
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
Oh my goodness! You had me at gingerbread but then again at healthy! Delicious and healthy? Now that's some next level Christmas magic.
Nicole says
Well this looks absolutely yummy!
Kathryn | Urban Foodie Kitchen says
Hot chocolate is always so good at this time of year and I love the addition of the gingerbread flavor to this one!
Chef Markus Mueller says
Yumm! I love making hot chocolate at home! I usually make a hazelnut vanilla version but this sounds delish!
Did you know there is technically a difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa? Traditionally hot chocolate uses melted chocolate mixed with milk, and is very thick, while hot cocoa is milk with cocoa powder and sugar! Cool huh?!
Tatiana says
Healthy hot chocolate? Its something very interesting to me, cant wait to try!
Saima says
Oh my, such a perfect recipe for cold winter days! And the ingredients are so healthy... just my kind of hot chocolate. I love, love, love it and will be trying it soon, for sure!
Amy says
I love all the clean ingredients in this hot chocolate!! I love this time of year and keeping it healthy is so important!
Dominique | Perchance to Cook says
What a great idea!! I love the idea of adding a gingerbread touch to hot chocolate! I've got some black strap molasses in the cupboard and will be making this this weekend!
Pam Greer says
I love the gingerbread flavors in this hot chocolate! And, I especially love that it's a healthy take on hot chocolate - we are definitely trying to eat healthier around here!
Renee Gardner says
I love the idea of gingerbread spices in hot chocolate! I'll have to try some next time I indulge in a hot chocolate.
RFC says
I, too, have all of the Christmas stuff out, and the music on while I read this post! This hot chocolate looks so delicious!
Angela Cardamone @marathonsandmotivation.com says
Yum! Two of my favorite winter treats combined. I can't wait to try this out on the next snowy day!!
Abbey Sharp says
I just wanna cozy up with this drink! So seasonal and delish
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
Wow this looks absolutely delicious! I have just about everything except the cashew milk, which I've never tried before but sounds like it really enhances the flavor!
Farrah says
This sounds so good! I can't wait to try it out--can't turn down healthy hot chocolate! :P
Julie Harris says
We're going to have a hot chocolate bar at our upcoming holiday party. This recipe sounds easy and delicious.
Deborah Brooks says
That sounds just perfect for a cold winter day. Love that there is not too much sugar either
Swathi says
I like your healthy take on holiday's absolute favorite gingerbread , who can resist this hot chocolate. My kids will love it.
Catherine says
What a fabulous combo! The family will love decorating with these festive hot cocos! I want one right now!
Catalina says
I am so excited to try this gingerbread hot chocolate! Hot chocolate is always a winner in our house!
Marisa Franca says
We love anything gingerbread!! Love the spice and the aroma is wonderful. And this idea is so creative. I've never thought of making gingerbread hot chocolate. You've certainly inspired me.
Veena Azmanov says
Gingerbread and chocolate are always such a perfect combination. Love how you added them to a hot chocolate drink.Sounds so wonderful.
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
This hot chocolate sounds perfect for the fall!! Definitely making this
Noel Lizotte says
mmm, this sounds delicious! I can't wait to curl up with a cup on a snowy night ... who cares how cold it is outside!
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
Healthy and delicious! I love that this recipe proved that the two can absolutely go hand in hand- even during the holiday season- yum!
April says
Can it get any more winterish?! I think I felt the smell of gingerbread and hot chocolate just from looking at your images! Not to say of the miracles the actual smell can do!
Gloria says
I LOVE everything gingerbread, so I know I would love this. What a great drink for movie night, or to make the grandkids when we have sleepovers. They love gingerbread too.
Dan Zehr says
This sounds absolutely amazing – I love anything gingerbread! My favorite thing about Christmas is all the lights and decorations on the streets, especially at nightfall. So magical!
Claudia Lamascolo says
delicious and comforting I love all the flavors here and would love a cup!
Tracy says
This looks WAY too good to be healthy! I love ceylon cinnamon - that with the gingerbread flavors it sounds like the perfect cup to snuggle up with under some cozy blankets!
Ellen says
I love the addition of molasses. Such a festive holiday drink.
Caroline says
I love the idea of gingerbread hot chocolate - I can see the warm spices going well.
Adriana Lopez Martin says
What a perfect dessert and ginger goes very nicely with chocolate I would love to try this yummy treat at home.
Emily says
Oh my goodness. Those marshmallow shaped mugs are too cute. I'd love filling one with this tasty hot cocoa.
Kate Hackworthy says
Oh this sounds absolutely incredible! I love that you've added molasses and those spices sound so good with the cacao.
Karyl Henry says
you're right, that hot chocolate is really rich...for a minute I thought it was a dessert! Looks so good and comforting, and perfect for the holidays
Jessica Formicola says
I love that gingerbread flavor! So perfect for the holidays!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
This is such a wonderful combination of gingerbread flavor with hot chocolate. I look forward to the winter, especially the holiday season to sit by the fire and drink hot chocolate. I will try spicing it up next time when I make some!