With the holiday season in full force, it's likely many of you are cozying up by the fire with a delicious cup of hot cocoa (possibly with a ton of those magical mini marshmallows on top). And, if you're anything like me, you're the adventurous type that likes to spice things up a bit with the toppings and mix-ins.
I'm always on the lookout for the best hot cocoa, which is why I asked our nutrition team to put together eight new and revamped recipes. Then, we had the iFit team put on their best ugly Christmas sweaters and choose their favorites.
The process:
Our nutrition team worked their magic in the kitchen developing a wide assortment of hot cocoa recipes. Between dark, milk, and white chocolates, they did their best to vary up the flavors while still staying true to a chocolate base. For each matchup, two competing hot cocoas were presented to the team. After a taste test, the winner was marked by each team member on their individual bracket. This process was repeated for all of the recipes.
The contenders:
- Gingerbread
- Indian Spiced
- iFit Nourish
- Coconut
- Cioccolata Calda
- Salted Caramel
- Amaretto
- Rum Cherry
And the results are...
Cioccolata Calda takes the prize! While the other contenders definitely put up a strong fight, it was this rich Italian classic that took the cake. Customarily eaten with a spoon and served in a small shot-sized glass, this treat is a true indulgence. You only need a little, but just a small amount will leave you beyond satisfied. This one pairs especially well with some fresh berries!
Do yourself a favor and try this recipe! Trust me, you'll be so glad you did.
Which recipes would we make again?
While the Cioccolata Calda was mind-blowingly outstanding, we had to give some of the other contenders some credit and strong seals of approval. Click the links to find out how you can make them at home.
Our Nourish hot cocoa recipe is the perfect choice for those days you want to indulge but still want to make a health-conscious decision. As we drank this creamy beverage, we had to keep reminding ourselves that it was, in fact, healthy. Doesn't expand the waistline AND tastes like molten chocolate lava? Count us in.
The Amaretto Hot Chocolate is the perfect choice for kids and milk chocolate lovers. The velvetiness of the chocolate mixed with the warm flavors of amaretto extract (no alcohol in this one!), make for the perfect cozy cup for your winter night in. Add some mini marshmallows on top, and you're in business!
For you fans of the salty/sweet combination, look no further than our Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. The sea salt brings out the richness and flavor of the chocolate, and caramel just makes everything taste better. Pair this one with a crispy biscotti and a good book for the perfect winter evening.
And last, but certainly not least, our Indian Spiced Hot Chocolate is perfect for those of you who are looking to switch things up a bit. This white chocolate hot cocoa is paired with warm Indian spices for an indulgent, yet lighter version of the classic hot chocolate. Don't be scared, give this a try!
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Tablea Tsokolate
Ingredients 3 wedges Ibarra chocolate 2 cups 1% milk Directions In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk and chocolate wedges. Stir continuously until the chocolate has dissolved. Heat until small bubbles form on the edge, but don’t allow to boil. Pour into a mug. Enjoy! NUTRITIONAL INFO PER SERVING Calories 190 (55 from fat) Total fat 5g Saturated fat 3g Cholesterol 15mg Sodium 130mg Carbohydrate 26g (0g dietary fiber, 23g sugar) Protein 10g WARNING: This post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFit assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article.
December 1, 2014
Sweet Spanish Hot Chocolate
Ingredients 4 cups skim milk, divided 4 ounces milk chocolate 2 tablespoon cocoa 1 teaspoon cornstarch Directions Heat 3 ½ cups milk till bubbles form on the edges. Once bubbles begin to form, stir in the milk chocolate and cocoa. Continue to stir until melted. In a separate bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with ½ cup of milk and stir until smooth. Add the cornstarch mixture to the warm milk. Cook for an additional minute to thicken. It hick enough that a churro should be able to stand up in it. NUTRITIONAL INFO PER SERVING Calories 230 (80 from fat) Total fat 9g Saturated fat 5g Cholesterol 5mg Sodium 125mg Carbohydrate 32g (3g dietary fiber, 28g sugar) Protein 11g WARNING: This post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFit assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article.
December 1, 2014
SuJeongGwa
Ingredients 6 cups water ⅔ cup brown sugar 2 inches fresh ginger sliced 5 cinnamon sticks Directions In a medium saucepan boil 6 cups of water, ginger and cinnamon sticks. And cover with a lid for 10 minutes. Stir in brown sugar until fully dissolved and continue to boil for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from heat. This can be enjoyed hot or cold, prior to serving remove ginger and cinnamon sticks. NUTRITIONAL INFO PER SERVING Calories 110 (0 from fat) Total fat 0g Saturated fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 20mg Carbohydrate 29g (0g dietary fiber, 28g sugar) Protein 0g WARNING: This post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFit assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article.
December 1, 2014