Dairy-free Gingerbread Hot Cocoa

Get into the holiday spirit with this Dairy-free Gingerbread Hot Cocoa.

This post is sponsored by our friends at Vital Proteins.

Cookies + Cocoa all in one satisfying real food treat

What could be more ho, ho, ho holiday than gingerbread and hot cocoa? Very few things, really. Maybe mistletoe and St. Nick himself but mistletoe is toxic and that jolly old elf…well, you can’t put him a mug.

But you can put this in a mug and you should right now. It takes just minutes to make – you can even make a double batch and store the leftovers in the fridge for those snowy day hot cocoa emergencies that will inevitably happen this winter (think skating, a walk in the snow, snowball fights, ski trips and evenings by the fire).

In this Dairy-free Gingerbread Hot Cocoa that’s sweetened with honey and molasses and spiced just right you get it all – cookies and cocoa – in one soul-warming mug topped with whipped coconut cream, if you please.

A good thing made even better

Errbody loves a big cup of gingerbread spiced hot cocoa but adding a scoop of our favorite collagen peptides just puts it over the top. I mean, one scoop (or one super convenient stick-pack) adds 9 grams of protein to help even out blood sugars, satisfy your appetite and help repair weary muscles and wind-whipped skin after a day of shoveling or snow fort building (or battling the crowds at the mall).

Collagen to-go is my new favorite thing right now. I’ve got these handy little collagen peptide stick packs in my purse, my gym bag, my ski bag and even the glove box of my car because it’s such a great way to add a boost of protein and skin-nurturing collagen to my coffee or soup when I’m out and about or traveling. Of course, you can add it just about anything like yogurt, applesauce, green juice and smoothie, etc. since it’s cold water soluble and won’t get or clump like it’s cousin, gelatin.

Take off those mittens and warm your hands around a cup of the best dairy-free Gingerbread Hot Cocoa!

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Let's Get Cookin'

Dairy-free Gingerbread Hot Cocoa

In this Dairy-free Gingerbread Hot Cocoa that’s sweetened with honey and molasses and spiced just right you get it all – cookies and cocoa – in one soul-warming mug topped with whipped coconut cream, if you please.

• Author: The Real Food Dietitians
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 10 mins
• Yield: 4
• Category: Beverages, Paleo, Dairy-free
• Cuisine: Paleo

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 cups unsweetened almond milk
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 Tbsp. molasses
• ⅓ – ½ cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground allspice
• ½ tsp. ground ginger
• ⅛ tsp. ground cloves
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt
• ⅓ cup Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
• 1 cup whipped coconut cream, optional

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk to combine.
2. Heat, stirring occasionally, until hot.
3. Ladle into mugs. Top with whipped coconut cream, if desired.
4. Store unused portion in a glass jar in the fridge up to 4 days. Reheat when ready to serve.

Notes

We recommend Pure Indian Foods organic spices for this recipe.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
• Calories: 173
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 245mg
• Fat: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 12g

What’s your favorite way to warm up on a cold day? Leave a comment below and tell us what you’ve got in your mug this winter.

Pin now to make later!

This post was made possible by our friends at Vital Proteins. Though we received compensation for this post, the opinions expressed here are  – as always -100% our own. Thank you for supporting the great companies we work with thereby allowing us to continue creating great recipes and content for you.

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About Jessica Beacom

Jessica is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living in Boulder, CO with her hubby and two daughters. She's been described as a 'real food evangelist' and loves sharing her knowledge with others to help them break free of the diet mentality and find their own food freedom. In her spare time she enjoys CrossFit, telemark skiing, teaching herself how to play the banjo and camping out under the stars.