Gingerbread Hot Cocoa for One

Hot Cocoa is my love language during the winter.

If you want the key to my heart, make me Gingerbread Hot Cocoa.

Or buy me a pony.

Just kidding…or am I? 😉

Sure I love coffee too in the morning, not for the caffeine because I drink decaf, but for the flavor. Maybe the flavor of the creamer…but still, the flavor! However, once it is past morning, I am typically not craving coffee unless I have a coffee date.

BTW, if you are ever in Rapid City, stop at any Pure Bean location and order a Cardigan Latte. I can’t even tell you how much I love that amazing drink! 

And you may ask, “Why not drink tea?” Well, first of all, I don’t care for hot tea 99% of the time. The other 1%, I drink Sugar Cookie Tea that my amazing sister-in-law introduced me to.

Unsweetened sun tea is my jam in the summer, but for obvious reasons ( I live in S. D. after all) it is not a craving in the winter. 

My original, non-holiday version cocoa, has been a staple for years now, but I just stumbled upon this Christmas delight last holiday season. For good reason, this Gingerbread Hot Cocoa puts me in the holiday spirit! 

Plus, this recipe is SO much healthier than regular hot cocoa with all it’s sugar and artificial ingredients. 

It is dairy and refined sugar free and still tastes like the real deal.

I use water and almond milk for the liquid goodness and cocoa powder and coconut sugar for the chocolatyness.

The gingerbread flavors can be attributed to the molasses and cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg spices.

My kids like a very tame gingerbread version, but feel free to add more molasses or ginger to suit your taste. 

This hot chocolate recipe is thick and rich AND is perfect for those cozy nights on the couch watching Christmas movies. Enjoy the holiday season with this healthy hot cocoa recipe my pretties! Merry Christmas!

Print Recipe

Gingerbread Hot Cocoa for One

This easy homemade recipe is Christmas in a mug. It is dairy free and refined sugar free containing coconut sugar and almond milk. Arrowroot powder is used to thicken this healthy hot chocolate. Make this creamy warm winter drink on the stovetop, transfer to a cup, and top with whipped cream, marshmallows, or additional molasses.

Servings: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup water
• 3 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 4 Tbsp coconut sugar
• dash of salt
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 Tbsp arrowroot powder
• 1 tsp molasses
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/16 tsp ginger powder
• 1/32 tsp nutmeg

Instructions

• In a small soup pot, whisk together the water, cocoa powder, coconut sugar, and salt. Heat on medium-low to warm the water mixture.
• In a small bowl or mug, whisk together almond milk and arrowroot powder until combined.
• Once the water is warm, pour in the milk mixture and stir together. Continue to stir over the heat until mixture thickens about 5 minutes. Do not allow your cocoa to boil, you should only get it war enough to see a little movement on the surface.
• Add in molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Whisk together until dissolved. Pour hot cocoa into large mug and if desired top with marshmallows, whipped cream, or drizzle molasses on top.

Notes

If you don't taste enough "gingerbread flavor" add 1/16 tsp more ginger and 1/4 tsp molasses at a time until desired taste is reached. 

My gas stove cooks very hot. You may need to turn up your burners to medium if your mixture does not thicken within 5-7 minutes.