Making your own hot chocolate takes only minutes and allows you to reduce the sugar and artificial sweeteners found in store-bought mixes. This recipe uses milk to add protein and honey for natural sweetness.

Yield: 1 serving

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup non-fat milk
• 1 ½ tsp honey
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• Pinch of chili powder

Directions

1. Place the cocoa in a small saucepan. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of the milk until mostly smooth. Continue adding milk 2 to 3 tablespoons at a time as you whisk. Once half of the milk has been added, turn the heat to medium. Finish whisking in the milk as the hot chocolate begins to warm.
2. Add the honey and continue whisking until the hot chocolate is fully warmed, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and whisk in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and chili powder. Pour into a mug and serve.

Lori Rice, M.S., is a nutritional scientist and author with a passion for healthy cooking, exercise physiology, and food photography.