This kind of hot chocolate is a popular part of Peruvian Christmas festivities. In fact, the name for gatherings in which families get together and exchange gifts, drink hot chocolate, and eat sweet bread is called Chocolatadas. Usually, this drink would be made with sweetened condensed and sometimes even butter. Some people make it so thick that a spoon could almost stand upright in the cup. This version is a vegan alternative and is perfect for Christmas morning, or maybe Christmas Eve night, while snuggled up by the fire.
On the Ingredients
- Chipotle peppers range from 3,000-10,000 SHU on the Scoville heat scale, making them a medium heat pepper. They are milder than cayenne but hotter than ancho peppers. They are particularly well known for their smoky, earthy flavor. In fact, the word “chipotle” is derived from the Nahuatl word chilpoctli, which means “smoked pepper.” Their flavor makes chipotle very popular for marinades, salsas, and sauces. It is used heavily in Mexican-American cuisines, such as Southwestern and Tex-Mex. It is also often paired with maple syrup to create a “sweet and spicy” blend of flavors.
- Dark chocolate has all kinds of proven health benefits dark chocolate. For instance, did you know that chocolate is actually very nutritious? A 100-gram bar of dark chocolate with 70–85% cocoa contains something like 11 grams of fiber, 67% of the RDI for iron, 58% of the RDI for magnesium, 89% of the RDI for copper, 98% of the RDI for manganese. It also has plenty of potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium. Chocolate is also a powerful antioxidant, filled with organic compounds like polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins. Some studies show chocolate may help improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. There’s also a possibility that it reduces the risk of heart disease. Heck, dark chocolate might even make you smarter because cocoa contains stimulant substances like caffeine and theobromine, which can improve brain function in the short term.
- Coconuts are the seed of the coconut palm. They have four main food products: coconut meat, coconut oil, coconut milk, and coconut water. The meat is high in fiber, MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides), and fat. They are high in several minerals, especially manganese and copper. (More on the health benefits).
Vegan Peruvian Spice Hot Chocolate
4
servings5
minutes15
minutes20
minutesThis kind of hot chocolate is a popular part of Peruvian Christmas festivities. In fact, the name for gatherings in which families get together and exchange gifts, drink hot chocolate, and eat sweet bread is called Chocolatadas. Usually, this drink would be made with sweetened condensed and sometimes even butter. Some people make it so thick that a spoon could almost stand upright in the cup. This version is a vegan alternative and is perfect for Christmas morning, or maybe Christmas Eve night, while snuggled up by the fire.
Ingredients
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
1/4 tsp chipotle pepper powder
1/2 tsp ground cloves
4 cups almond milk
1 can coconut cream
1 can coconut milk
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 tbsp cornstarch or potato starch
- Optional toppings
whipped cream or whipped coconut cream and cinnamon
Directions
- Add the almond milk and sugar to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat until boiling, stirring frequently. Add coconut cream and milk. Stir to combine and simmer on medium heat for 2 minutes.
- Add the chocolate chips, cocoa, chipotle pepper powder, and cloves to the pot of milk and heat on low for an additional 5 minutes, stirring to melt chocolate. Dissolve the cornstarch in ¼ cup cold water. Add mixture to milk and chocolate, stirring continuously—heat on low for 2 minutes or until thick.
- Remove from heat, pour into mugs and add optional toppings.
