Peppermint Collagen Hot Chocolate

Anyone who knows me- knows I am a lover of chocolate.  I can be on a sugar detox and still justify a little organic dark chocolate.  Some things just aren’t worth giving up!  And around the holidays- peppermint and chocolate go together like peanut butter and jelly.  SO good.

But when I indulge, I still have to feel GOOD about it.  I HAVE to use real ingredients.   No fake stuff goes in this body of mine.   

So here is my little creation for the holiday season.  It’s incredibly versatile as it can serve as a creamy peppermint hot chocolate for kids (both young and old) OR as a flavored creamer in your cup of coffee. Best of all- it contains collagen peptides which adds a little protein to the drink.  We are rarely short on carbohydrates this time of year so a little extra healthy protein is always welcomed into the diet.

 Ingredients:

•  Califia Toasted Coconut Almond Milk (the WHOLE container)

• ½ cup unsweetened organic cocoa

• 4-5 scoops of Vital Proteins Vanilla Collagen Creamer*

• 4-5 drops of organic peppermint extract**

• 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup or stevia drops***

Directions:

• Pour the container of almond milk in a large saucepan and being heating over low/medium heat, taking care to not bring to a boil

• Add the cocoa powder and collagen creamer and mix with a whisk. 

• Next, add the peppermint extract and sweetener

Notes:

*If you do not have VP vanilla collagen creamer- no worries.  Use 2 scoops of the unflavored peptides and add a little vanilla extract. You will be missing out on the coconut fat that adds creaminess to the drink, but it’s a nice little substitute

**If you do not have peppermint extract, you can use peppermint essential oil.  Just be sure it’s a brand that is safe to ingest- such as Doterra or Young Living to name a few

***When I make this for the kids- I use maple syrup!  When I make this for myself and want to keep it low sugar I simply add some stevia drops. Some monk fruit would also work nicely to keep the sugar low but the taste delicious.

Ohhh- and a little fun fact. Whipped cream, peppermint crunch candy, marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips do NOT count for calories when added to the top of a drink from the dates December 1- December 31st. :)  

Hope you can pour a warm cup of this delicious hot chocolate and enjoy the peace and joy of the season!