Sleepy Tart Cherry Hot “Chocolate”
This rich mug of hot chocolate can be enjoyed right before bed because the cocoa powder is swapped out for carob powder. Carob is grown in a pod, and mimics the taste of chocolate but without the caffeine. Carob is also a good source of B vitamins, calcium, potassium and the important sleep-inducing magnesium.
Ingredients
| 8 ounces | unsweetened almond milk |
| 2 Tbsps. | almond milk creamer |
| 3 ounces | tart cherry juice |
| 1 Tbsp. | carob powder |
| 2 to 3 drops | vanilla extract |
Instructions
Serving Size: 1 cup
Add almond milk, almond creamer, and cherry juice in a small sauce pan. Whisk in carob powder and warm over medium heat, stirring frequently, until desired temperature – don’t boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
One 12-ounce mug has 145 calories
Attribution: Thanks to Jennifer at www.theFitfork.com
5 Comments
Not that crazy about this recipe. The tart cherry juice is very pronounced. Not how a cup of hot “chocolate” should taste. I’ll try adjusting the recipe.
Hi Kathleen,
Do you mind letting us know if/how you adjusted the recipe? Also did you try it using carob powder instead of chocolate? Thanks for the feedback.
Andrea
Sorry, I’ve been sick with a very bad cold and have not experimented with the recipe but will get back to you. I did use the carob powder, then added unsweetened cocoa to see if that would help the taste. But I think it was the tart cherry juice that made it too tart; not what you’d expect with a yummy hot cocoa recipe. Do you know the purpose of adding the cherry juice? I would love the have a healthier hot chocolate drink as it is my go to warm drink in the winter.
Here’s my first attempt to modify the recipe:
8 ounces of Almond milk
2 ounces of almond creamer
1 ounce of tart cherry juice
2 tablespoons carob powder
1/8 teaspoon vanilla
Creamier, not as tart, and closer to a cup of hot chocolate. Mind you, my goal was not to have something to help me sleep, but a healthier cup of hot chocolate which is my go to hot drink in the winter.
Next time I think I’ll try 1&1/2 tablespoons carob powder and 1 ounce almond cream.
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for the tweaks! This is a great way to improve the drink for different results. I appreciate you letting me know so that it can be shared. Keep the comments and tweaks coming.