Prep time: 5 minutes

Clean up time: less than 5 minutes

Serves: 2

If you are a regular follower of this blog then you will know I was obsessed with dairy before I became plant-based. There wasn’t anything I enjoyed more than a creamy, hot beverage. This recipe from The Plantpower Way is a perfect example of dairy-free alternatives that are wonderfully creamy, decadent, delicious, and nourishing. I find it AMAZING how cashews blend up to become so cream-like. Once soaked and blended they are creamy, milk-like gold without all the nasties that come along with dairy. They are a great substitute for milk in hot drinks, soups, sauces, cheeses, and ice cream. This recipe is also simple and quick to make. It is a staple in our house, especially during winter and a favourite with the toddler.

Cacao Date Cashew Latte

The best hot chocolate ever! I tend to use hemp seeds and cashews for my nut milks because they blend up smooth and creamy and don’t require straining. Sweetened with fresh dates, this combination is a cup of chocolaty goodness.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups boiling water
½ cup raw cashews
2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
2 dates, pitted

PREPARATION

1. Bring the water to a boil on the stove.

2. To a Vitamix or high-powered blender, add the cashews, cacao powder, dates, and boiling water. Blend on high for a full minute.

3. Pour through a cheesecloth or strainer, if desired. Serve.

Reprinted from The Plantpower Way by arrangement with Avery Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © 2015, Rich Roll & Julie Piatt

Joey’s Plant-based Hot Chocolate

-based on The Plantpower Way’s Cacao Cashew Date Latte

Serves 1 (+ a small toddler serving)

INGREDIENTS

1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup raw cashews
4-6 dates
1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1/2 cup oat milk (or other plant-based milk)

PREPARATION

-Combine all ingredients into a high speed blender and blend on high for at least a full minute.

-Recipe creates one large cup of hot chocolate or one regular cup and a small toddler serving that can be cooled down by adding a bit more plant-based milk.

-Enjoy deliciousness in a cup!

(One cup also contains about 30% your calcium RDA, winning!)

Ingredient Tips:

-Carob can be substituted easily for cacao in this recipe. I was pregnant with toddler when I first started making this so only used carob. It has its own distinct flavour but is still delicious and creamy.

-Most plant-based recipes use medjool dates as they are a lot softer and larger than regular dates. This makes them a lot easier to work with especially when blending. They are REALLY expensive in New Zealand so I stick to regular dates! I usually double the amount of dates recommended, and if blending is involved, soak them in boiling water for 20mins before hand. This softens them and plumps them up a bit so they behave more like medjool dates when blending.

Preparation and Clean Up Tips:

-If you don’t have a high speed blender I would recommend soaking the cashews and dates for 10-15 minutes before you make your latte. This means the blender won’t have to work too hard. You could put everything into the blender ready to go and let it sit for 10 minutes. Saves draining the cashews and dates, and means less dishes!

-It is necessary to blend for at least a minute, otherwise the latte can have a grainy texture. Blending this long also makes it a bit fluffy and bubbly so it resembles a cafe hot chocolate a bit more!

I hope this recipe fulfils your winter hot chocolate cravings. I love it’s simplicity and decant flavours, especially when it’s actually really good for you! Plants are so versatile and tasty, they have every occasion covered if we just let them. The Plantpower Way is a fantastic starter volume for plant-based cooking and features many simple recipes like the Cacao Date Cashew Latte. It also includes great guides, tips and advice for your plant-based journey, along with many tasty recipes. Check out my Recommend page for more info. I think it’s time to put the kettle on and make a delicious, nourishing, plant-based, hot chocolate!

Nourishment

Cashews - are a great for creating a cream-like texture but also come with nourishing vitamins and minerals. They particularly high in copper, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. They also contain fibre, B vitamins, and are a healthy source of monounsaturated fat.

Cacao - is a true super food and contains antioxidants, flavonoids, fibre, magnesium, calcium and iron. Although cacao doesn’t contain caffeine it does contain stimulating compounds, so may not be suitable for very small children. It could easily be substituted for carob.

Carob - is made from dried, roasted, carob tree pods. It’s a great alternative to chocolate as it is caffeine free. It has a high mineral content that includes calcium, iron, and magnesium. It has quite a distinct sweet chocolate like flavour.

Dates - are a great natural sweetener and come packed with other nutritional goodies. They are high in fibre, contain antioxidants, and are a great source of vitamins and minerals including potassium, niacin, and iron.

Sesame Seeds - I have only just discovered sesame seeds and they are amazing when it comes to nutrition. They are tiny but packed full of nutrients and minerals. They are high in fibre, magnesium, iron, zinc, and selenium. They are also a really great source of calcium and one tablespoon will provide about 15% of a toddler’s RDA.

Oat Milk - is made from soaking and blending oats. This makes it a great source of protein, iron, calcium, zinc, B vitamins, and vitamin E and A.

Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist or health professional. I have completed a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell and have done in-depth research about plant-based living. The information I trust is mostly sourced from medical professionals that are leading the way in this plant-based revolution. Check out my recommended page for more info.