Hot Chocolate with Maca and Peanut Butter

This recipe is a REALLY decadent option for when you want something sweet and delicious, or if you’re looking to replace your morning coffee!

I personally love coffee, but I find it can be hard on my body sometimes. The caffeine affects my sleep, my hydration levels, and can be hard on the stomach. As a result, I’m always seeking ways to enjoy a warm delicious beverage in the morning (ideally one that perks me up!) without the nasty effects of coffee. I’ll have several options throughout the blog, and this one is for the sweet tooth out there!

Ingredients include:

1 cup milk of choice (almond, soy, coconut, hemp, pea, bat, unicorn, or whatever regular dairy milk you like)

1 tbsp raw cacao powder

1 tsp maca powder

1-2 tsp maple syrup

1/2 - 1 tsp of natural peanut butter (optional, avoid if you struggle with inflammation)

small pinch of salt

Add the milk to a steamer or a small pot and warm up until it is hot, but not boiling. Then place in a blender, add the remaining ingredients, and blend until incorporated. You can add other things like collagen powder if you’re one of those people who tries to get their supplements in everywhere. Once its blended, give it a taste and decide if you need more or less of any of the ingredients. Maca, peanut butter, chocolate and maple syrup are all strong on their own and you should get the balance just right for your tastes.

I love this recipe because of the maca and the raw cacao powder. Raw cacao powder (which you can find at any health food store) is a delicious unprocessed form of chocolate and is worth every penny. It gives you a small boost from the little bit of caffeine in the chocolate, without giving you the intense jolt that you’d get from coffee. In addition, maca is an adaptogen (helps your body deal with stress) and will also give you a subtle boost. Together, the chocolate and maca are a great combo to get you moving in the morning. Enjoy!