A warm, healthy, tasty, comforting and nourishing take on hot chocolate! This Tahini Hot Chocolate recipe is vegan, gluten-free and full of heart-healthy cacao, delicious cardamom, and protein-rich tahini. The perfect winter beverage!
I'm just a wee bit obsessed with cacao powder (not to be confused with cocoa powder). . .
Cacao powder is about the healthiest form of chocolate that you can consume. It is the product of ground raw cacao beans -- completely unprocessed unlike the cocoa powder that most of us are familiar with. And, boy does it make for one healthy hot chocolate!
Cacao Powder Health Benefits
- extremely high in anti-oxidants that combat disease, aging, pollutants, stress, and dangerous free radicals
- a serotonin booster lending it to be a great reliever of mood swings and depression
- high in iron
- high in magnesium
- high in calcium
- contains anandamide (the "bliss molecule") lending to feelings of euphoria and relaxation
- contains phenylethylamine, a natural energy and mood booster
- contains protein (protein!)
- has been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol
- contains sulfur (great for healthy skin, hair, and nails!)
- has been shown to support good metabolism and healthy weight loss
Through many experimental cups, I discovered the amazingly delicious and complementary power of protein-rich tahini and flavorful cardamom paired with amazingly healthy cacao powder. This combo will blow you away, as you sink into delicious and relaxing guilt-free bliss. Enjoy! xo.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Creamy, soothing and comforting.
- Rich and chocolate-y.
- Perfectly laced with cardamom.
- Silky smooth.
- Slightly earthy and nutty with the addition of tahini.
- Easy to make.
- Healing, and packed with nutrients.
- Vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free.
Ingredients Needed to Make Tahini Hot Chocolate
- Plant-based milk.
Tips for Making the Best Hot Cacao
- Any dairy or non-dairy milk works well with this recipe. Our favorites? Vanilla almond, oat and coconut milk.
- While it will not have all of the amazing health benefits, in a pinch, regular cocoa powder can be used in place of cacao powder.
- Any liquid sweetener of choice can be used in this recipe.
- To make a sugar-free hot cacao, I recommend this sweetener.
- The vanilla extract can be omitted for a still-tasty hot cacao recipe!
More Vegan Drink Recipes
Cosmic Ginger Rose Activated Charcoal Latte (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Almond Rose Chai Tea Latte (Vegan)
Cherry Lavender Moon Milk Recipe (Vegan)
Double Blue Peppermint Moon Milk (Vegan & Gluten-Free)
Seed Cycling Moon Milk for Hormone Health (Vegan)
More Tahini Recipes
Flourless Magic Tahini Seed Bread (Gluten-Free, Keto)
Thick & Chewy Chocolate Chip Tahini Cookies (Gluten-Free, Flourless)
Creamy Banana Tahini Kefir Ice Cream (Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free)
Salted Chocolate Chunk Tahini Oatmeal Cookies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Pumpkin Sticky Roll Skillet Cake with Cinnamon Tahini Cream Cheese Icing (Gluten-Free)
More Cacao Recipes
Buckwheat Banana Bread with Cacao (Gluten-Free)
Golden Lavender Cacao Adaptogenic Latte (Vegan)
Mint Cacao Adaptogenic Freezer Candy (Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free)
Salted Chocolate + Almond Butter Coconut Flour Thumbprint Cookies (Gluten-Free)
No Bake Dandelion Beet Chocolate Bars (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Hot Cacao with Cardamom + Tahini (Vegan)
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk of choice I like unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 5 tbs organic cacao powder
- 3 tbs maple syrup
- 2 tbs tahini
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 green cardamon pod contents freshly ground (or 1/4 tsp ground cardamom)
- optionally ground cardamom or cinnamon for garnishing
Instructions
- In a sauce pan over medium heat combine all of the above ingredients.
- Whisk continually until all is smoothly combined, beginning to bubble and appears frothy.
- Carefully pour into mug(s), and optionally sprinkle with a little cardamom or cinnamon.
- Enjoy!
Sarah says
This was a delicious and unique drink! My husband (who is a staunch food critic, while also being a “burger and fries” kind of person) LOVED this. He called it “magical potion “! We had some left over and warmed back up with one part coffee the next day. YUM! Thank you for this!
Jessica says
I love this. I had to reduce the cacao amount as it is a little too activating for me. I made four small servings and my 10 year old daughter enjoyed this too! Thanks for the recipe.
Kristen Wood says
I'm very happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Emily says
So yummy! Just made it with macadamia nut milk. I’ve been eating WFPB and wanted a sweet treat that wouldn’t completely throw me off track. This was perfect!
Kristen Wood says
I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing!
Ariana says
I would have never thought to add tahini to hot chocolate! I will have to try this!
Alex says
I didn't realize there were so many differences! I definitely need to switch. And this drink looks amazing. 😀
Kristen Wood says
Thank you!