What are some of the best memories around the holidays? Festive food and drinks are definitely mine! Hot chocolate is a holiday treat but most of the time the ingredients are big NO-NO’s! Most hot chocolates you buy are instant powders pumped with chemicals or fake sweeteners. Most have dairy, cream or powdered milk (even worse!). Even if you go to a place serving hot chocolate, it’s rarely made in house with real ingredients. I created this delicious Vegan Peppermint Hot Chocolate recipe using peppermint tea, my home-made almond milk, raw cacao and coconut nectar to sweeten it slightly. It is so delicious and it is actually healthy for you. In this process I heat the almond milk and steep the tea in the milk to infuse the natural peppermint flavor. GOODBYE artificial flavorings!!!
Heat almond milk over stove and steep tea while you bring the milk to a boil. Reduce heat to low, add cacao and stir well. Add coconut nectar and stir well. Pour hot chocolate into a coffee mug or cup of choice. You can top with my Coconut Whipped Cream. You can also add cacao nibs or crushed peppermint candies if entertaining or not cleansing. Serves 2
Ingredients
Directions
Tag: holidays
Vegan Eggnog for the Holidays
Spread holiday cheer with our vegan take on a traditional favorite, eggnog. This thick, wonderfully flavored beverage can be made in many ways. Why not try our version with coconut nectar and almond milk. Not too thick, this chilled iconic drink will warm the hearts of your family and friends. Homemade, delicious and beautifully presented, how can it not?! Happy holidays and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond milk
- ¼ tsp. ground cloves
- ¼ tsp. nutmeg
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- ⅓ cup brandy (omit if cleansing)
- 2 tsp. coconut nectar
- 2 cinnamon sticks (for garnish)
Directions
Combine ingredients together in a large pitcher and stir with a large spoon or whisk for 1 – 2 minutes. Serve in individual glasses chilled over ice. Add a cinnamon stick for garnish.
Serves 2
Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies
It’s not Christmas until the smell of gingerbread is wafting through your kitchen. Thankfully we got you covered with our very own homemade recipe created with your health in mind.
Ingredients that will leave your taste buds satisfied instead of full with regret, these are also a great gift for neighbors, teachers and party hosts. A little secret…It’s just as much fun making them as it is eating them.
But don’t take our word for it, get festive with your favorite cookie cutters and designs with our coconut whipped cream as frosting. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. flaxseed meal
- 3 tbsp. filtered water
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup raw, unsweetened almond butter
- 3 tbsp. raw coconut nectar
- ¼ cup vegan butter or coconut oil
- 1 tsp. ginger
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. nutmeg
- ¼ tsp. sea salt
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- 2 cups gluten-free baking flour (we like Bob’s Red Mill)
What You’ll Need
Rolling Pin
Gingerbread cookie cutters
Directions
- Mix flax meal with water and let rest for 5 minutes. This mixture will serve as our egg substitute.
- Mix all ingredients together except the flour for 3 minutes on high. Add flour and stir with a spoon or mix with your hands. If mix is too dry, add 1 tsp. of water at a time until dough like consistency.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour.
- Remove the dough and preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Cover a flat surface or cutting board and the rolling pin with gluten-free flour to prevent sticking.
- Roll the dough out to a thin consistency (the cookies will not rise very much). Use the cookie cutters to create the shape of your gingerbread men.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with coconut oil or other cooking spray.
- Space the cookies 1 ½ inch away from each other and bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly crisp. Let the cookies cool and use coconut whipped cream as frosting. (See our Coconut Whipped Cream recipe HERE.)