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    Salted Plains » Recipes » Drinks & Cocktails

    Superfood Maca Hot Chocolate (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

    Published: Jan 16, 2018 · Modified: Jan 5, 2022 by Tessa · This post may contain affiliate links · 11 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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.

    This Superfood Maca Hot Chocolate combines cacao powder, maca powder, cinnamon, cayenne, sea salt, 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!

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

    This Superfood Maca Hot Chocolate combines cacao powder, maca powder, cinnamon, cayenne, sea salt, and a touch of maple syrup to make for a rich and healthy hot drink. Gluten-free, vegan, refined sugar-free. 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. I find myself gravitating towards more natural ways to deal with stress, anxiety, and fight sleeplessness.

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

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

    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. 
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 165kcal
    Author: Tessa

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk
    • 4 tablespoons cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
    • 1 tablespoon maca powder
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 2 pinches sea salt
    • 1 pinch cayenne powder
    • 3 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)
    • ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    Optional toppings

    • coconut cream
    • chocolate shavings
    • cacao nibs

    Instructions

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

    Nutrition

    Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 799mg | Potassium: 303mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 22IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 443mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SaltedPlains or tag #saltedplains!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alyce

      November 28, 2021 at 11:42 am

      5 stars
      I made this and replaced the almond milk with water and it was still yummy and less calories.

      Reply
      • Tessa

        November 28, 2021 at 1:06 pm

        That's awesome! I'm so glad. Thanks, Alyce!

        Reply
    2. Steve

      December 06, 2018 at 1:53 pm

      5 stars
      Very enjoyable site you have here. Let's keep it up. Ho Ho Ho

      Reply
      • Tessa

        December 08, 2018 at 9:35 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Sherrie

      February 02, 2018 at 7:12 pm

      Tessa, this might be my favorite post you've ever created. From the recipe to the imagery, I'm in love with it all. xx!

      Reply
      • Tessa

        February 05, 2018 at 6:33 pm

        You just made my week. I'm so glad! Thank you, sweet friend! xo

        Reply
    4. Traci | Vanilla And Bean

      January 18, 2018 at 6:11 pm

      Hey Tessa.... so glad you reminded me about adaptogens... I guess I didn't really realize maca is one, I''m just taking it in my smoothies because I know it's good stuff! But I need more adaptogens (I started ashwaganda this past year - indeed need all the support for stress and anxiety). I love this hot cocoa... and am in need of it at the moment... it is SO cold out. Sending warmth and calm, love. xo

      Reply
    5. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

      January 18, 2018 at 7:39 am

      Soooo cold here too Tessa! This is perfect!

      Reply
    6. Kelsey @ Appeasing a Food Geek

      January 18, 2018 at 5:45 am

      Yes so cold! Need a hot bev like this one to get us through! Especially with an adaptogen like maca. I've been meaning to start getting to know this group of compounds and figuring out how to incorporate more into my diet. Thanks for the inspo! xo

      Reply
    7. Rachel @Clean Eating for the Non-Hippie

      January 17, 2018 at 2:16 pm

      Mmm, this is what my day needs!!!

      Reply
    8. parth rathod

      January 17, 2018 at 7:49 am

      5 stars
      This hot chocolate is so refreshing, thank you for sharing

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tessa! I create gluten-free, real food recipes that are approachable and delicious.

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