Bone Broth Hot Cocoa
This Bone Broth Hot Cocoa is a healthy way to indulge in a cozy and nostalgic beverage this winter season. This recipe uses beef bone broth, maple syrup, and Dutch cocoa powder bringing together the sweetness of cocoa with the wholesome goodness of bone broth. Plus, it tastes just like the nostalgic Swiss Miss, but healthy!
If you’re looking for more hot chocolate recipes, be sure to check out some of my other favorites like Chai Tea Hot Chocolate, Caramel Hot Cocoa, Coconut Hot Chocolate, or 10 Cozy Hot Chocolate Recipes to Try This Winter.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Recipe Name: Bone Broth Hot Cocoa
- Ready In: 10 minutes
- Makes: 1 serving
- Main Ingredients: bone broth, Dutch cocoa, maple syrup
- Flavor Profile: sweet, umami hot cocoa
- Dietary Info: gluten free, dairy free, no seed oils, eggless
- Difficulty: Easy!
- Why You’ll Love It: tastes like Swiss Miss hot cocoa but so much healthier!
Summarize & Save This Content On
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- No Refined Sugar: I use organic maple syrup instead of cane sugar. This brings natural sweetness to this bone broth hot chocolate.
- Protein Hot Cocoa: This Bone Broth Hot Cocoa has 10 grams of protein per cup!
- Healthier: This Bone Broth Hot Cocoa has less sugar and more protein than a classic hot chocolate.
- 3 Ingredients: All you need is 3 organic ingredients to make this cozy winter drink!
- Cozy Hot Chocolate Recipe: While this is on the healthier side, it is still a cozy hot cocoa recipe that you can add in Homemade Marshmallows Without Eggs, Homemade Caramel Sauce with Bone Broth, Gingerbread Caramel Sauce or your favorite cocoa toppings.
Why are people making bone broth hot cocoa?
Bone broth is a nutrient dense alternative to milk. It's also dairy free, has 10 grams of protein per cup, and no sugar. Bone broth also adds a saltiness to hot chocolate. And we all know that pairing salt and chocolate together is (chef's kiss!). So, this is why many people will substitute bone broth for milk in hot chocolate. It creates a lighter tasting protein hot chocolate that has a beautiful balance of salt and rich chocolate flavor.
People give me a ton of shade on the internet whenever I share my Bone Broth Hot Cocoa or my Healthy Gingerbread Hot Cocoa With Bone Broth. But, I always say don't knock it until you try it! My husband was incredibly skeptical about this bone broth hot cocoa too — until he tried it! If you like bone broth or want a healthier hot chocolate option you can enjoy every day, this recipe is it!
Ingredients
- Bone Broth: I use Kettle & Fire Beef Bone Broth for this recipe. The beef is more neutral than the chicken (in my opinion) so I love using the beef. But, you can also use chicken too. Use code MIMIBAKESCOOKIES for 20% off Kettle & Fire!
- Maple Syrup: I use organic maple syrup in this recipe because it sweetens the cocoa and the flavor pairs really well with the bone broth and cocoa. This also makes it refined sugar free. You could also use honey and pair it with a dash of vanilla extract for a honey vanilla version that is also refined sugar free.
- Cocoa: I use organic Dutch cocoa powder in this recipe. I love Dutch cocoa powder as it's sweeter and has a more rich chocolate flavor.
*For a full list of ingredients and measurements, visit the recipe card below.
Bone Broth Hot Cocoa Tips
- I use Kettle & Fire Beef Bone Broth for this recipe (use code MIMIBAKESCOOKIES for 20% off your order). I find their beef bone broth has a more neutral flavor and their chicken one has more spice. I prefer drinking the chicken one alone and I like to use the beef one in recipes like this where I want to change the flavor.
- While each serving of this cocoa is 1 cup beef bone broth, you could replace half or however much you like with your milk of choice. Cow's milk, coconut milk, or almond milk will all work to use with the bone broth if you prefer.
- I use maple syrup in this recipe as I thought the flavor would pair really well with the bone broth! If you want to use organic cane sugar, you can do that as well.
- I use Dutch cocoa powder which is sweeter than natural cocoa powder. If you only have natural cocoa powder and would like to use that, then you may just want to add a bit more maple syrup to your liking.
- If you want to add even more protein, try adding a scoop of collagen for an added protein boost, I like NuNaturals Organic Collagen.
- Top this with my Homemade Organic Vegan Whipped Cream for a dairy free hot chocolate. Or top this with Homemade Organic Whipped Cream too!
How to Make Bone Broth Hot Cocoa
- In a small saucepan, add the bone broth, maple syrup, and cocoa powder and put over high heat.
- Whisk until the cocoa has dissolved and the temperature is between 140°F and 160°F. Serve immediately.
Protein Hot Cocoa & Cookie Pairings
Try this protein hot cocoa with some of my favorite cookies for the perfect winter afternoon snack that will satisfy any craving!
- For a Christmas treat try Gluten Free Peppermint Shortbread Cookies!
- Nothing better than cool mint and chocolate, these Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies are naturally eggless and a holiday favorite.
- The best of both worlds, pumpkin and gingerbread, try Eggless Pumpkin Gingerbread Cookies!
- One of my all time favorites, I make these Double Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies weekly!
- If you're looking for a classic, try Vanilla Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies.
- Add in some Homemade Caramel Sauce with Bone Broth to the hot cocoa and enjoy with Brown Butter Caramel Dark Chocolate Cookies.
Recipe FAQ's
No, it just tastes like a rich and flavorful cocoa. This really reminds me of Swiss Miss (the packets from childhood) but in an upgraded way!
Bone broth adds a salty and umami flavor to sweet recipes. It's really the equivalent of adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to sweet items, if that gives you a better idea! I love using it in sweet recipes, especially with chocolate.
Bone broth has a salty, umami flavor and we all know that adding a little sprinkle of flaky sea salt onto chocolate desserts only makes them better. So, think of bone broth as a little salty depth of flavor that comes from within.
I love using Kettle and Fire Beef Bone Broth for cocoa. It has a little richer flavor with a full body that makes it creamy and delicious.
Yes, if you want to use chicken bone broth you definitely can! I just prefer the beef in this recipe as I believe it has a more neutral flavor and the chicken has a more savory flavor. At least this is true of the kind I buy, Kettle and Fire!
This bone broth hot cocoa has 10 grams of protein per mug, which is more than classic cocoa. So, I love this simple swap for added protein. Plus, it's much lower in fat than traditional whole milk.
Yes, each mug has 10 grams of protein, which is more than a classic cocoa.
Absolutely, you can add 1 tablespoon of collagen powder and almost double the protein.
This is already dairy free because I use all bone broth (no milk, like many other recipes).
Yes, you can definitely use cane sugar in place of maple syrup!
1 cup of bone broth hot cocoa has 10 grams of protein when using Kettle and Fire bone broth!
More Bone Broth Recipes
Loved it? Tell us!
Thanks a waffle lot for stopping by 🧇 If you loved this recipe, sprinkle some love by leaving a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review — it inspires others to try this recipe and helps me organically reach dog loving foodies like you! I personally read and appreciate every message!
Also, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and join John John and me in the kitchen for step by step recipe videos! And subscribe to our newsletter for new and seasonal recipes!
Bone Broth Hot Cocoa
Equipment
- Digital Food Scale
- Small Pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups Kettle and Fire Beef Bone Broth (1 carton)
- 71 grams maple syrup
- 17 grams Dutch cocoa powder
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, add the bone broth, maple syrup, and cocoa powder and put over high heat.
- Whisk until the cocoa has dissolved and the temperature is between 140°F and 160°F.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- I use Kettle & Fire Beef Bone Broth for this recipe (use code MIMIBAKESCOOKIES for 20% off your order). I find their beef bone broth has a more neutral flavor and their chicken one has more spice. I prefer drinking the chicken one alone and I like to use the beef one in recipes like this where I want to change the flavor.
- While each serving of this cocoa is 1 cup beef bone broth, you could replace half or however much you like with your milk of choice. Cow's milk, coconut milk, or almond milk will all work to use with the bone broth if you prefer.
- I use maple syrup in this recipe as I thought the flavor would pair really well with the bone broth! If you want to use organic cane sugar, you can do that as well.
- I use Dutch cocoa powder which is sweeter than natural cocoa powder. If you only have natural cocoa powder and would like to use that, then you may just want to add a bit more maple syrup to your liking.
- If you want to add even more protein, try adding a scoop of collagen for an added protein boost, I like NuNaturals Organic Collagen.
- Top this with my Homemade Organic Vegan Whipped Cream for a dairy free hot chocolate. Or top this with Homemade Organic Whipped Cream too!
- High Altitude – Follow the recipe as noted.
Nutrition
The Bake Shop
Visit The Bake Shop for foodie inspired tees, sweatshirts, and accessories. Find my favorite kitchen tools (with discounts!) in the Kitchen Shop. And shop our collection of food inspired dog accessories too!
I make this every day in the winter, I love the nostalgic taste and the fact that it’s healthier than traditional hot cocoa!