Tahini Hot Chocolate

Here’s a cozy mug of hot chocolate to warm you up during these freezing winter days. This version is slightly sweetened with dates, with just enough chocolate to make it indulgent but not heavy, and a subtle tahini touch to add a bit of richness and creaminess. A delicious sip that feels like a warm hug.:)

I don’t measure when I make this recipe and usually just pour milk directly into the mug I want to drink from instead of using measuring cups; this way I get the exact portion I need, and I simply adjust the other ingredients to my taste as needed. The chopped dark chocolate is optional - you could make it using just cacao powder for a lighter version - but the dark chocolate makes it better and richer of course:)

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Tahini Hot Chocolate

For 1 portion

Ingredients

• Oat milk (or other plant-based milk) - about 1 1/2 cups, or enough to fill your mug

• A spoonful of raw cacao powder (about 1 tablespoon)

• 1-2 soft dates, to taste (or maple syrup or honey)

• 1 tsp tahini

• Pinch of cinnamon

• Pinch of sea salt

• A small handful of chopped dark chocolate (about 1-2 tablespoons) - optional

Instructions

1. Fill the mug you’ll be using to drink your hot chocolate with milk to get the exact amount you’ll need (mine is about 1 1/2 cups).

2. Pour the milk from your mug into the container of your blender. Add the cacao powder, dates (start with one, and add more as needed), tahini, cinnamon and sea salt. Blend on high until frothy, making sure no date chunk remains. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding one more date (or a touch of maple syrup or honey). You can add a bit more tahini too for a richer version.

3. Transfer to a small saucepan and place on the stovetop on medium heat. Let it warm a bit, then add a handful of dark chocolate and whisk to combine. Heat gently, whisking, until it starts to simmer. When warm enough, pour into your mug. Sprinkle with extra cinnamon on top if you’d like. Enjoy:)