How to Make a Hot Chocolate Smoothie

Posted by Gwen Watson on Jan 8, 2016

Smoothies aren’t usually associated with the winter. When the temperatures are chilly, the last thing we want to do is drink something cold. This chocolate smoothie is served hot, which means that it will most certainly keep you warm. It is also healthy, which means that it makes an excellent breakfast or snack. The fun thing about this recipe is that you can also easily adapt it to suit your palate. Try the recipe as listed below or follow one of the variations!

Hot Chocolate Smoothie Recipe

Adapted from Popsugar

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened nut butter (like almond butter)
• 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chocolate shavings, to garnish (optional)
• Cinnamon, to garnish (optional)
• Whipped cream, to garnish (optional)

Directions:

You can use any type of milk that you have on hand, including regular milk, almond milk, rice milk, and soymilk. If you want to cut calories, consider using low fat or skim milk. Add the milk to a saucepan and scald it on medium heat. You’ll know it’s scalded when small bubbles begin to form. If you aren’t using regular milk, just heat the milk until it starts to bubble slightly.

Slowly pour the milk into a blender. Let the milk rest for a minute before adding the rest of the ingredients to it. Cover the blender and pulse until all the ingredients are combined. Pour into a Mason jar or mug and garnish with chocolate shavings, cinnamon, or a dollop of whipped cream.

Variations:

Protein Chocolate Smoothie. Prepare the recipe as listed above. Add a scoop of chocolate protein powder to the blender after adding the hot milk. Cover the blender and pulse for a few seconds until the protein powder is well incorporated. Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse until well combined.

Oats and Chocolate Smoothie. Prepare the recipe as listed above. After adding the hot milk to the blender, add ¼ cup dry, instant oats. Cover the blender and pulse for about 20 seconds, or until the two ingredients are mixed well. Add the rest of the smoothie ingredients and pulse until well blended.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Smoothie. Prepare the recipe as listed above. Add 1 tablespoon of peanut butter with the rest of the ingredients after adding the milk to the blender and pulse until well combined. Garnish this smoothie with some crushed peanuts.

Spicy Chocolate Smoothie. Prepare the smoothie recipe as listed above. After adding the milk to the blender, add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Add the rest of the ingredients, cover the blender, and pulse until smooth.

Ginger Chocolate Smoothie. Prepare the smoothie recipe as listed above. After adding the milk to the blender, add 1 teaspoon grated, fresh ginger root with the rest of the ingredients. Cover the blender and pulse until smooth.