Our Morning "Protein" Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate is a favorite drink at our house, especially at Christmas time or when it's colder outside. We actually love drinking it every morning, though, even in the summer, and I came up with a recipe that has added protein and a better sweetener.

I make it each morning as part of my routine. We all love it and I honestly look forward to it every day. Today, I wanted to share that recipe.

I use a hot chocolate maker. I use this one, though they stopped making it and it's getting harder and harder to find. Our recipe makes enough for two adults and four children. The children get less than my husband and I.

Healthier Hot Chocolate

4 cup water

1/4 tsp salt

2 tbsp cocoa powder

3 generous tbsp pure maple syrup

1/2 cup beef gelatin

3/4 cup powdered milk

We use Himalayan salt, I usually buy it from Amazon. I use Dutch cocoa powder (I got it in bulk once and haven't been able to go back), which I buy from Walmart. I get our maple syrup from Costco, though you can easily substitute sugar 1:1.

Beef gelatin is similar to collagen. It is very low calorie and high protein (it has 9 grams of protein in one tablespoon). It isn't a complete protein, but because we pair it with the milk which is an animal protein and because we get other protein sources throughout the day, it's not concerning to us. I buy it from Amazon or Vitacost.

*We've used unsweetened whey protein powder in place of beef gelatin before and the hot chocolate still turned out yummy. I buy my protein powder on Amazon.

I always use cold water, so that the gelatin will dissolve before the water heats up in the hot chocolate maker. Despite it being called beef gelatin, it has no taste in the hot chocolate and only serves to make the drink silkier!

I like this brand of gelatin and buy it on Vitacost. You can also buy it on Amazon, but Vitacost often has a coupon, and sometimes has sales on food items that makes it cheaper there.

I buy my powdered milk through the online LDS store here. I believe you can also get it in person at most LDS canneries, but since I don't live near one, I always just get it online. They are great for food storage as well, because the pouches last 20 years.

It's a really simple recipe, made even simpler with hot chocolate maker. I've been looking into buying an industrial one (so it's big enough as our family grows). Making it and then doing the dishes while it mixes has become a simple part of my morning routine and I look forward to sitting down and drinking it every morning!

What is a favorite part of your morning routine? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!