Hot chocolate with dates and cinnamon

Hot chocolate made with oat milk, cocoa and dates, with cinnamon and a pinch of salt – vegan and sweetened only with dates. A warm winter drink, 206 kcal per mug.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 15 min
• Cooking time: 5 min
• Total time: 20 min
• Calories: 206 kcal per serving
• Protein: 3 g
• Fat: 5 g
• Carbs: 40 g

Ingredients

• 500ml oat milk
• 50g dates
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 pinch of salt

Method

You’ll need: saucepan · blender · wooden spoon

1. Stone the dates and soak them for 10 minutes in some of the warm oat milk.
2. Blend the dates, the rest of the oat milk, the cocoa, half the cinnamon and the salt until smooth.
3. Heat the hot chocolate in a saucepan, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes until it steams but doesn't boil.
4. Pour it into two mugs and dust with the rest of the cinnamon.

Good to know

After sledging or a walk in the frost, there's nothing better than hot chocolate. This one needs no sugar or syrup – the dates do the sweetening.

Swaps

Oat milk → milk (no longer vegan). Dates → 1 tbsp maple syrup. Cinnamon → a pinch of chilli. Cocoa → carob (caffeine-free).

Cooking tips

A high-speed blender makes the hot chocolate completely smooth; otherwise pour it through a fine sieve. A shot of espresso turns it into a mocha.

Storage

Keeps for 2 days in the fridge; shake before heating.

Allergens

Contains gluten (oats, unless the oat milk is gluten-free); no milk, egg or nuts. Cocoa contains a little caffeine.

Frequently asked questions

How long does hot chocolate keep in the fridge?

Keeps for 2 days in the fridge; shake before heating.

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