It’s hot chocolate season

I’ll be honest with you, I can enjoy hot chocolate any time of the year but there’s something extra cosy about having it in Winter.

For me, the perfect hot chocolate isn’t just a drink – it’s more of a dessert experience with added spices, nuts and dates. Not only does it taste amazing, but:

• Spices add depth and richness while supporting digestion and providing antioxidants.

• Nuts, especially soaked and peeled almonds, add quality protein and healthy fats.

• Dates give a gentle caramel-like sweetness that’s rich in magnesium and won’t spike blood glucose levels erratically like refined sugar.

You can combine the spices in any way you wish. Even a little dried ginger powder adds a nice kick to it. And nutmeg makes a lovely night-time drink.

I like to add the almonds whole and the dates roughly chopped but you can also easily put everything into a blender to make a smoother texture.

Below I share three of my favourite hot chocolate recipe variations to help you create your perfect cup.

Ingredients:

1 mug milk of choice (or half milk and half water)

2 medjool dates, chopped

12-15 soaked and peeled almonds

1 heaped teaspoon cacao powder

Spices:

Anytime hot chocolate: pinch vanilla powder and 1-2 crushed green cardamom

Spicy hot chocolate: 1-2 crushed green cardamom and 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder

Bedtime hot chocolate: 2-3 saffron strands and 1-2 crushed green cardamom

Method:

Put all the ingredients into a steel saucepan and heat until it starts to bubble up. Pour and enjoy!