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So how do we feel about superfoods?

Superfood Hot Chocolate with Honey Caramelized Brioche | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Personally, I am really into them right now. I’ve been on a bit of a superfoods kick ever since I spent all of January planning, creating and photographing super healthy, real food recipes. I promise though, nothing too out there with super weird ingredients…well, except the maca powder in this hot chocolate. Read about maca below. Generally, I want my recipes to be approachable, and to only have ingredients that can be found in everyday places the like the grocery store, Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. FYI, it would be really nice to have a Trader Joe’s, less than an hour and a half away, I mean what’s up with that?!?

Today’s recipe is quickly becoming a favorite. My mom and I have been making it on a weekly basis for many reasons.

Superfood Hot Chocolate with Honey Caramelized Brioche | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest Superfood Hot Chocolate with Honey Caramelized Brioche | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Reason ONE: this cocoa is pretty quick to make, especially if you have either pre-roasted or cooked beets on hand, or even beets from a can or jar will do. And yes, there are beets in this hot chocolate. PLEASE do not shake you head. Promise, you won’t even know they are in there, and the beets give this hot chocolate a fun red velvet color…perfect for Valentine’s Day this Sunday!

Reason TWO: this recipe uses pantry ingredients: cacao powder (or cocoa powder, but cacao powder is really what you want if you want this to be a true superfood hot chocolate), chia seeds, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne (don’t be scared it’s optional!), vanilla and milk (any variety works, I prefer a mix of full-fat canned coconut milk and almond milk).

Reason THREE: this cocoa is full of all healthy ingredients, but yet still satisfies your sweet tooth. It also keeps you warm and cozy. SCORE.

Reason FOUR: honey caramelized brioche. To be honest here, there is nothing very healthy about this brioche, but man, it is SO freaking good. <–truth.

Reason FIVE: umm, hello?!? It’s red velvet hot chocolate without any weird food coloring, and um the brioche is so cute when cut into hearts. LOVE!

Superfood Hot Chocolate with Honey Caramelized Brioche | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvestSuperfood Hot Chocolate with Honey Caramelized Brioche | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

So now you see why I love this SO much?

This superfood hot chocolate is the prefect healthy treat for Valentine’s Day, OR really just any day between now and spring. And even once spring comes, you know there’s going to be plenty of rainy days when a mug of hot chocolate is just about all you need in life…

Man, don’t you just love my dramatics these days? I think little miss Asher is rubbing off on me. YIKES.

Anyway, the point it that you must give this hot chocolate a try. I promise it is SO delicious. Oh and if you are wondering, maca powder is a superfood full of protein, fibers, vitamins + minerals. It helps to balance hormones, increase fertility, balance out mood swings and increase energy. Geez, that is kind of a lot!! Pretty cool, huh? The maca is completely optional, as it does not add much in the way of flavor, but it clearly has benefits. If you want to read more about it, I thought this article was pretty informative. Double OH, do not be freaked out about beet puree in your hot chocolate. My mom who pretty much hates all things beets (and many other veggies…ugh) loves this hot chocolate. She had it three times in the last week and all three times she gave it double thumbs up…

Granted it was accompanied by the caramelized brioche, which I just cannot lie is my most favorite thing ever, but like I said earlier it really has no health benefits…unless you count the overall happiness you’ll feel while eating it, which I surely do! 🙂 This brioche is everything. Sweet, doughy, moist, delicious, addicting… SO GOOD. Words really can’t describe it. You just have to give it a try, and then realize it’s deliciousness for yourself. Major bonus points if you cut the brioche into cute little hearts. Valentine’s Day or not, heart-shaped food always puts a smile on my face… yes, I am totally seven years old.

Forever young… 🙂

Superfood Hot Chocolate with Honey Caramelized Brioche | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Sooo, are you weirded out or totally into this?? I’m hoping you are totally into it!! Just give it a try, as your mother always said, you’ll never know until you try. You’ll see when you look at the recipe that you can really customize it to what you have on hand or your personal tastes. The way I have it written is the way I have been making it, but you can adapt it to your liking. I do recommend blending the hot chocolate at the end to puree the chia seeds. It’s not a must, but I think it makes for a better, smoother texture AND you get MAJOR foam. Like major, coffee shop style foam.

It’s legit!

Oh, and please make the cute honey caramelized, heart shape brioche. It will make your Tuesday, your week or possibly even you Valentine’s Day. Really though, the brioche (generously) dipped in this superfood hot chocolate will bring you all the happiness you’ll need to get you through the day. I know, so over the top, but there’s just something special about this recipe guys.

Superfood Hot Chocolate with Honey Caramelized Brioche | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Superfood Hot Chocolate with Honey Caramelized Brioche.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 2 Mugs
Calories Per Serving: 580 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

  • 1 cooked medium red beet skin removed*
  • 4 tablespoons cacao powder may also use cocoa powder
  • 2-3 tablespoons coconut sugar (may also use honey brown or granulated sugar)
  • 4 teaspoons [maca powder | http://www.amazon.com/Healthworks-Certified-Organic-Maca-Powder/dp/B00U1WVEF2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1454855504&sr=8-3&keywords=maca+powder] optional*
  • 2 teaspoons chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup fresh brewed coffee optional
  • pinch of flaky sea salt to taste
  • pinch of cinnamon
  • pinch of ground ginger optional
  • pinch of cayenne optional
  • 3 cups milk of choice (I used half canned coconut milk half almond milk)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • [coconut whipped cream | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/corn-fritters-with-coconut-whipped-cream-and-sweet-honey-bourbon-syrup/] or whipped cream for topping

Honey Caramelized Brioche.

Instructions

  • Add the beet to a blender with 1/3 cup water and puree until COMPLETELY smooth. If needed, add more water to help puree the beet. It's OK if the beet puree is thin. You need between 1/4 and 1/2 cup of beet puree for the hot chocolate.
  • In a bowl, combine the cacao powder, coconut sugar, chia seeds, coffee, pinch of salt, pinch of cinnamon, pinch of ginger and a pinch of cayenne. If you do not like a spiced hot chocolate, omit the ginger and cayenne.
  • Add the milk to a heavy bottom pot and warm over medium low heat until steaming. Whisk in the dry powder mixture until combined. Add anywhere between 1/4 cup and 1/2 cup of the beet puree. I used 1/2 cup, but taste the hot chocolate once you've added 1/4 cup of the beets, then add more to your liking. Stir in the vanilla. If desired, you can now carefully transfer the hot chocolate to a blender and blend until smooth. This helps break the chia seeds up. Return the hot chocolate to the pot and keep over low heat.
  • Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium heat and add the coconut. If desired, cut your brioche into heart shapes. Add the brioche to the skillet and cook until toasted, about 2 minutes per side. Once the bread is toasted, drizzle each piece with a little honey. Cook until the brioche is golden and caramelized. WATCH closely, you can quickly over caramelize the honey! Remove from the skillet and sprinkle with salt if desired.
  • Pour the hot chocolate between two mugs and serve immediately with the warm caramelized brioche.

Notes

*To roast the beet, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Wrap the beet in a piece of tin foil. Place the beet on a baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until soft. Allow the beet to cool and then peel/rub the skin away. *Maca powder is a superfood full of protein, fibers, vitamins + minerals. It helps to balance hormones, increase fertility, balance mood swings and increase energy. *Caramelized Brioche inspired by the February 2016 issue of Bon Appetit.
View Recipe Comments

Superfood Hot Chocolate with Honey Caramelized Brioche | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

It’s the feel good, put a smile on and be happy recipe. Honest. 🙂

Superfood Hot Chocolate with Honey Caramelized Brioche | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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