Easy Cacao Latte (healing, healthy, dairy-free)

This velvety Cacao Latte is a creamy delight that’s dairy-free and so easy to make! Whether you’re looking to balance your hormones, cut back on caffeine or are simply seeking a healthier alternative, this rich and indulgent drink is your ticket to a rich and cozy chocolatey escape.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This creamy cacao latte recipe is an excellent way to enjoy cacao powder and receive all of its many health benefits. It’s such an easy latte recipe that makes a sweet and indulgent latte that is truly packed full of goodness.

But this cacao latte isn’t just a drink, it’s a comforting experience that’s perfect for this time of year. One that will nourish your body, caters to any dietary needs, and can be enjoyed any time of day!

Before we dive into making this cup of magic, let’s talk about why you’re going to fall head over heels for it:

• Cozy
• Rich & creamy
• Vegan (dairy free)
• Naturally sweetened
• Super chocolatey
• Healthy + Nutrient packed
• Easy to make
• SO delicious

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• 📋 Key Ingredients
• ⏲️ How to Make Easy Cacao Latte
• 🥛 Substitutions
• 📖 Variations
• 🤔 So What is Cacao Anyway?
• 🍫 What Are The Health Benefits of Cacao ?
• 🥣 Equipment to Make this Easy Cacao Latte
• 💭 FAQ
• 🍩 Love This Cozy Chocolate Drink? Try These Other Delicious Chocolate Recipes!
• Easy Cacao Latte

📋 Key Ingredients

This cacao latte has just 8 ingredients, but you could actually make this recipe with half of the ingredients and still get the amazing benefits from the cacao powder!

All of the ingredients used are highly nutritious and suit most dietary restrictions. For this healthy latte recipe you will need:

• Cacao Powder – Cacao holds a whole range of potential health benefits, primarily due to its rich content of antioxidants and other valuable nutrients. Check out some of the health benefits cacao shared below!
• Almond Milk – Any dairy free milk would work well for this recipe!
• Collagen powder – Collagen is a protein that is naturally produced in the human body to keep skin, bones, and connective tissue healthy, but as we age, collagen production slows down. Adding a collagen supplement into drinks or smoothies can provide a variety of health benefits, including improving skin health, reducing joint pain, and improving bone density.
• Coconut butter – Totally optional, but helps with the creaminess of the latte and provides some beneficial fats that will help nourish the body.
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla Extract
• Cinnamon
• Ashwagandha powder – Ashwagandha is known for its adaptogenic properties, which means it helps the body adapt to stressors and maintain balance, which is especially helpful for those who may be managing conditions like PCOS.

⏲️ How to Make Easy Cacao Latte

This soothing hormone supporting drink is made in just two steps! So easy and ready to be enjoyed in less than 5 minutes.

🥛 Substitutions

If you know how to make the recipe fit a certain diet, let the reader know here. Don’t fake it – only provide guidance on topics you have actual experience with.

• Milk – Almond milk is what’s used in this recipe and tastes delicious, but you can use any type of non-dairy milk that you like or have on hand. If you don’t mind it not being dairy-free or vegan, then an animal based milk like cow or goat will work in this recipe as well.
• Cacao powder – Both cacao powder as well as cocoa powder work for this recipe. Cacao powder has more antioxidants and minerals, making it more nourishing, but cocoa powder is more readily available, more affordable, and both ingredients work great and taste delicious.
• Sweetener – While maple syrup was used in this recipe, other great options include: honey, coconut sugar, and monk fruit. Maple syrup gives a nice subtle flavor that adds to the warmth and coziness, but the other sweeteners will work as well.
• Collagen – Protein powder would be a good substitution, especially if it’s chocolate flavor as it will make it even more decadent.
• Coconut Butter – Coconut oil would be a good substitution for coconut butter, but it will remove the bit of creaminess that the coconut butter provides. Alternatively you could swap it with ghee or omit it all together

📖 Variations

While enjoying this recipe, so many incredible variations came to mind that I’m excited to try out in the colder months ahead:

• Peppermint hot cocoa – Add a couple drops of peppermint extract, or maybe even melt a candy cane in the milk as it’s warming so get a nice warm up of basically Christmas in a cup!
• Spiced cacao latte – A pinch of cinnamon or a hint of cardamom can turn your cacao latte into a spiced delight.
• Nut butter twist – a dollop of your favorite almond or peanut butter would make the flavors pop in this recipe! It would add to the nutritional value, making it even more satiating than it already was
• Iced cacao latte– After I made this recipe a couple of times, I put one in the fridge and when I was ready to enjoy it, poured it over some ice for a more refreshing version that would be perfect for summer.

🤔 So What is Cacao Anyway?

Cacao powder is a pure and unprocessed form of chocolate. It’s made from crushed and ground cacao beans, the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree, primarily found from regions near the equator, including West Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia.

These beans are fermented, dried, and then roasted at low temperatures. The roasted beans are cracked to remove the outer shell, leaving the cacao nibs.

These nibs are then ground into a paste, which is further processed to separate the cacao solids from the cacao butter. The resulting dry, brown powder is cacao powder.

Cacao powder vs Cocoa powder

The terms “cacao” and “cocoa” are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference:

Cacao Powder: This is the less processed form of the two and retains more of the beneficial nutrients found in cacao beans. It has a rich, deep flavor and is typically considered a more natural and pure product. Cacao powder is usually made by cold-pressing unroasted cacao beans.

Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder is cacao powder that has been roasted at higher temperatures. This process can lead to a slightly different taste, often described as being less rich and more mellow. Most cocoa powder available in stores is alkalized or “Dutched” to reduce bitterness. While this process might make it taste better, it can also reduce its nutritional content.

🍫 What Are The Health Benefits of Cacao ?

Cacao holds a whole range of potential health benefits, primarily due to its rich content of antioxidants and other valuable nutrients. Check out some of the health benefits cacao has to offer:

Rich in Antioxidants: Cacao is one of the most antioxidant-rich foods available. Antioxidants help protect cells from oxidative stress and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Mood Enhancement: Cacao contains compounds that can stimulate the brain to release endorphins and other “feel-good” chemicals. This can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

Improved Heart Health: Cacao has been linked to lower blood pressure, improved circulation, and reduced risk of heart disease. The flavonoids in cacao can help relax blood vessels, leading to better blood flow.

Brain Health: Some studies suggest that cacao may support cognitive function and help protect the brain from age-related decline. It contains flavonoids that can enhance memory and improve cognitive function.

Mineral-Rich: Cacao is an excellent source of essential minerals like magnesium, which is important for various bodily functions, including muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and bone health.

Reduced Inflammation: The anti-inflammatory properties of cacao may help reduce inflammation in the body, which is linked to many chronic diseases.

Potential Weight Management: Some research indicates that cacao can help regulate appetite and reduce cravings for sweet, salty, and fatty foods, which can contribute to weight management.

Rich in Fiber: Cacao is a good source of dietary fiber, which supports digestive health and helps maintain regular bowel movements.

It’s important to note that while cacao offers these potential health benefits, the form in which it’s consumed matters.

Highly processed chocolate products with added sugars and fats can negate many of these advantages. To get the most benefits from cacao, opt for minimally processed and unsweetened forms like raw cacao powder or high-quality dark chocolate with a high cacao content.

💭 FAQ

🍩 Love This Cozy Chocolate Drink? Try These Other Delicious Chocolate Recipes!

• Easy High Protein Chocolate Mousse
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcake Recipe
• Healthy Protein Brownies
• Dark Chocolate Strawberry Protein Donuts
• Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

If you’d like more easy and healthy recipes delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to subscribe to my email list! As always, if you make this recipe, be sure to tag me on instagram at @livinginflux so I can see and share your creation – Enjoy!