Healthy Hot Chocolate Cereal

It's only natural that a serious chocolate addict would find a way to use it in her morning cereal. Velvety cocoa powder is stirred into simmering cereal. The result is a warm bowl of chocolaty goodness. Cocoa is high in antioxidants. You can feel good about eating this. It'll keep you full for hours.  

There's a hint cinnamon which compliments the cocoa, giving it a Mexican hot chocolate flavor. Stirring in a few chocolate chips or a piece of chocolate, as it cooks, will make it even creamier. The longer it simmers, the darker and richer it gets. 

Hot Chocolate Cereal Recipe

Serves 2

Some Notes


I use my Vanilla Sugar in this recipe. But regular sugar is just fine. Use what you like and make it your own. 

Best quality cocoa is the key to making it really chocolaty and decadent. I provide the link to my favorite in the recipe.


Ingredients

• 1 cup of Quick Cooking 5 Grain Cereal or Quick Cooking Irish Style Oatmeal. I use Old Wessex Brand. 
• 1-2 tablespoon of sugar. Use two tablespoons if you like it sweeter. 
• Coconut milk beverage or low fat milk. Follow the package directions on how much milk to add to the cereal.    
• 2 tablespoons of best quality cocoa powder. I use Penzey's Dutch Process Cocoa
• A few dark chocolate chips or a small square of dark chocolate. (optional)
• Pinch of salt 
• Dash of vanilla extract (optional)
• Sprinkling of cinnamon. I use Penzeys Vietnamese Cinnamon 
• Mix-ins for serving...shredded coconut, chocolate chips, raspberries, strawberries or freeze dried berries

Instructions

Place the cereal in a pot with a little water to moisten it. Add the milk according to the package directions and the chocolate chips (if using) and the rest of the ingredients, except for the mix-ins.

Simmer on medium heat until the cereal is cooked and the cocoa has turned a dark brown, stirring the entire time. It won't look too great in the beginning. Be patient and keep stirring. It'll turn a luscious, rich chocolaty brown as the cocoa gets incorporated into the milk. The longer it simmers, the darker it gets. Serve with your favorite mix-ins.

Bon Appetit!