Stuck in a hot chocolate rut? Forget Swiss Miss—make your own all-natural, pineapple coconut hot chocolate. This cocoa is extremely rich, so a little goes a long way. Serve in espresso mugs, and be prepared for expressions of bewildered pleasure, as guests try to guess what is in the incredible cocoa. This recipe suits adults and children, and can serve as a great dessert on any chocolate-friendly special occasion.
All Natural Chocolate
Specialty Grocery Stores like Whole Foods and Fresh Market carry large blocks of fresh cut chocolate. Choose a darker milk chocolate—something with added milk, but at least 50% cocoa. Semi-sweet chocolate will not blend well into hot cocoa unless milk is added—and this recipe is milk-free.
Child Friendly Cocoa Recipe
The simplicity of the steps in this recipe combined with the all-natural ingredients, mean that making this homemade cocoa can be just as much fun as drinking it. Children ages 3 and up can participate in the pouring of the juice and grating of the chocolate with adult supervision.
Tip for parents: Keep in mind the richness of this cocoa, and when serving it to children, plan to balance with tummy-soothing food.
Pineapple Coconut Juice
There are several brands of all natural, 100% juice pineapple coconut blends that will work. Santa Cruz Organic makes a very good one available at whole foods and organic groceries. It is also possible to buy canned pineapple juice and canned coconut milk and combine them at home—the flavor will come through with any of these options, and once the juice blends with the chocolate, the result will be virtually the same.
Tools for Homemade Cocoa
At home, take out the following tools:
- small saucepan
- a sharp knife
- a cheese grater
- a measuring cup
- a spoon
- cereal bowl
Ingredients:
- large block all natural chocolate
- pineapple coconut juice
Instructions:
- Measure two cups of the pineapple coconut juice and pour into saucepan, but leave the heat off.
- Cut a one inch by three inch piece of chocolate from the block, and use the cheese grater to make shavings into the cereal bowl—watch out for fingers!
- Turn the burner on low/medium. Once the juice heats up, gradually stir the chocolate shavings into the pan.
- Keep stirring, and reduce heat to low.
- Monitor thickness by adding more juice if needed—final result should be thick, creamy liquid.
- Pour into mugs and enjoy!
- Tip: Using the grater, shave off a few curls from the leftover chocolate into each mug.
The thick, creamy quality of coconut milk replaces the need for cow’s milk in this cocoa, and pineapple adds a kick of unexpected flavor.
Eva Gordon - Eva Sage Gordon
Join the Conversation