Superfood Maca Hot Chocolate (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

This Superfood Maca Hot Chocolate combines cacao powder, maca powder, cinnamon, cayenne, and sea salt, along with almond milk and a touch of maple syrup, to make for a rich and healthy hot drink. Gluten-free, vegan, refined sugar-free.

If ever there was a winter that needed hot chocolate, it would be this one. With temperatures here in Kansas City below 32 degrees for days now, our couch over the last couple weeks has started to resemble a blanket fort. I didn’t even know we owned so many blankets!

But back to hot chocolate. Maca hot chocolate to be exact.

If you’ve never heard of maca root, it is a cruciferous vegetable found in Peru that is often ground into a malty-flavored powder that can be used in drinks, baked goods, smoothies, and soups. Maca is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, supports energy and stamina, and even works to balance hormones and stress.

Maca is considered an adaptogen, a designation given to plants and herbs that help the body naturally adapt to stress.

Adaptogens have been increasingly on my radar over the last year as I find myself gravitating towards more natural ways to deal with stress, anxiety, and fight sleeplessness.

The nutrient-rich properties of maca, combined with another superfood, cacao powder, plus the added benefits and flavor of cinnamon and cayenne, makes sipping this hot chocolate feel like one big does-a-body-good treat.

A couple notes for the recipe below…

I’ve used maple syrup as the sweetener, but honey will substitute wonderfully. If you don’t have cacao powder, regular unsweetened cocoa powder will work here as well.

5 from 2 votes

Print

Superfood Maca Hot Chocolate Recipe

This superfood Maca Hot Chocolate combines cacao powder, maca powder, cinnamon, cayenne, and sea salt, with almond milk and a touch of maple syrup to make for a rich and healthy hot drink. Gluten-free, vegan, refined sugar-free. 

Course Drinks

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 2

Author Tessa Fisher

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 4 tablespoons cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
• 1 tablespoon maca powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 pinches sea salt
• 1 pinch cayenne powder
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Optional toppings

• coconut cream
• chocolate shavings
• cacao nibs

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan over low heat, add almond milk. After giving the almond milk a few minutes to warm, whisk in cacao powder, maca powder, cinnamon, sea salt, and cayenne.

2. When large clumps have dissolved, whisk in maple syrup and vanilla extract. Whisk periodically until mixture is smooth and desired temperature is achieved. 

   If you find you prefer it sweeter, add more maple syrup as desired.

3. Remove from heat and pour into mugs. Top with coconut cream or other toppings if desired.