Looking for some tasty ways to celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day? You’re in luck because I have some winners that are not only delicious but healthy too! Here are 4 healthy hot chocolate recipes for National Hot Chocolate Day.
What Day Is National Hot Chocolate Day?
First up, let’s talk about when to celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day.
Here are the next five National Hot Chocolate Days:
- Monday, January 31 2022
- Tuesday, January 31 2023
- Wednesday, January 31 2024
- Friday, January 31 2025
- Saturday, January 31 2026
Did you know there’s also a National Hot Cocoa Day?
Here are the next five National Hot Cocoa Days:
- Tuesday, December 13 2022
- Wednesday, December 13 2023
- Friday, December 13 2024
- Saturday, December 13 2025
- Sunday, December 13 2026
So you have two times a year to celebrate! If you want to get technical, here’s how to know which type recipe to use / which drink to make.
What’s the Difference Between Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa?
Upon discovering both of these holidays existed, I was curious about the difference between the two drinks.
Turns out, according to this article by The Kitchn, the main difference comes down to what chocolate is used to make the final beverage:
- Hot Cocoa is made with cocoa powder
- Hot Chocolate is made with melted chocolate
Personally, I feel like most people use these terms somewhat interchangeably, including myself. But I guess it’s good to know the real deal. haha. My Type A a$$ will probably not be able to forget this now.
Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipes + Healthy Hot Cocoa Recipes
Here are some healthy and healthy-ish hot chocolate recipes to enjoy for your National Hot Chocolate Day and National Hot Cocoa Day celebrations.
I give you – 4 Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipes for National Hot Chocolate Day.
Classic Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipe
First up, I gotta start with my classic Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipe. Though I guess now that I’ve learned the difference between Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa, I’m seeing it’s really a “Healthy Hot Cocoa Recipe”. #oops
Anywho, this is my go-to of the Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipes for National Hot Chocolate Day.
I originally created this recipe to have a clean option from some of the hot cocoa mix products available. Whilst I do love the convenience of processed foods now and again, I can’t help but continue to avoid those with unnecessary ingredients. It seems like every time I research what they are, the majority of the time they are potentially harmful. And if nothing else, they are not needed to make a great hot chocolate. So why eat them when homemade hot chocolate is so easy?
This recipe is also a great alternative if you just happen to be out of your favorite hot chocolate mix.
And one great benefit is that you get to control which milk you use. Many hot cocoa mixes use powdered dairy milk as an ingredient. With my recipe, you can use whatever milk you prefer, whether that’s oat, almond, OR dairy.
You also get to control the amount of sugar as well as how chocolatey it is. This is great so you can make it *just* how you like it.
This is vegetarian and will be vegan if you use vegan milk.
Click here for this Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipe
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Healthy Macadamia Maca Hot Chocolate {Energy Boosting}
Next up is my energy boosting Healthy Macadamia Maca Hot Chocolate recipe. Maca is great for energy, balancing your hormones, and has other fun health benefits. And if you don’t like macadamia nut milk, you can easily substitute your favorite milk of choice.
This is a fun alternative to the classic concoction.
This is vegetarian and will be vegan if you use vegan milk.
Click here for this Healthy Macadamia Maca Hot Chocolate Recipe
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Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate Recipe
This is one of my personal fave hot chocolate flavor combos. There’s something about combining the flavors of coconut and chocolate together. It’s a magical pairing.
If you are tired of basic hot chocolate, give this one a try and let me know what you think!
This is vegetarian and will be vegan if you use vegan milk.
Click here for this Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate Recipe
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Mexican Hot Chocolate Dough Balls Recipe {Cookie Dough Balls}
Okay, so not a drink, but this cookie recipe harnesses the flavors of hot chocolate with a spicy twist. Literally – there is cayenne pepper in this one! This one is probably not quite as healthy as the hot chocolate drink options above. But if you’re into clean eating, you’ll enjoy the ingredient list.
This is vegetarian and there are options to make this vegan.
Click here for this Mexican Hot Chocolate Dough Ball Recipe
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More Chocolate Recipes to Love
If you want more chocolate recipes beyond hot chocolate or hot cocoa, here are some great options!
Healthy Dark Chocolate Tahini Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe | Whole Grain, No Refined Sugar, Vegan
Just Right Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies {Recipe}
Healthier Chocolate Pumpkin Doughnuts Recipe with Chocolate Glaze
Healthy Chocolate Pumpkin Oatmeal Recipe with Sunbutter
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Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed these Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipes for National Hot Chocolate Day.
Hi Diana, I didn’t know there was a National Hot Chocolate Day or Hot Cocoa Day. (Don’t think we have them here in the UK.). That’s cool! 🙂 I’ve got into making my own hot chocolate the past couple of years. One of my favourite recipes is a French hot chocolate one (although I use Cadbury Bournville which is sweeter, so it’s not like “super authentic”! lol). I’m going to try a new white hot chocolate one too for Imbolg/Imbolc (midwinter seasonal festival that also celebrates the shift towards spring). You can celebrate it today or tomorrow and I usually do it on 2nd Feb.
I did get a bit mixed up between hot chocolate and cocoa too! lol. Thanks for the recipes; will check them out. The Mexican hot chocolate dough balls recipe looks especially nice! 🙂
Zania