Homemade Hot Chocolate: With Dairy-Free Options

1. There is nothing more relaxing than snuggling up on the couch on a cold winter evening, with a good book and a warm cup of homemade hot chocolate. This recipe makes for a decadent, creamy and satisfying homemade hot chocolate treat for 2-3 people.
   
   

   Homemade Hot Chocolate: With Dairy-Free Options

   Homemade Hot Chocolate: The Players
   
   • 2 cups raw milk (substitute coconut milk for dairy-free; where to find BPA-free coconut milk)
   • 1 cup raw heavy cream (substitute coconut cream for dairy-free
   • 2 tablespoons cacao powder (where to find GMO-free, raw, organic cacao powder)
   • 3 tablespoons coconut palm sugar (where to find coconut sugar)or Pure Maple Syrup (to taste).
   • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (where to find organic vanilla)
   • pinch of sea salt (where to find REAL U.S. sea salt)
   • pinch of cayenne
   This recipe does call for quite a bit of coconut sugar. This is because coconut sugar doesn’t taste as sweet as cane sugar, so you need a little bit more to get the right flavor. Although data is limited, coconut sugar is also thought to be rich in nutrients, most notably the minerals, iron, zinc, calcium and potassium. You can top with Whipped Cream or for a dairy-free (i.e. Paleo) version, you can try my Coconut Whipped Cream. Both of these recipes only take 30 seconds to whip up!
   
   
   Homemade Hot Chocolate: The How-To
   
   1. Heat the milk and cream in a saucepan over medium-low heat. I like to heat the milk up slowly to avoid scorching it.
   2. Then add the cacao powder, your favorite sweetener and vanilla. Whisk vigorously.
   3. Once all the cacao has blended in with your milk mixture, add the pinch of sea salt and cayenne. Keep whisking. 
   4. Continue to heat the mixture until it is warm, but not too hot to drink.
   5. Top with whipped cream and enjoy!~
   6. Provided by Food Renegade