Cacao Maca Latte (Paleo, Vegan)
Recipe Key
Cacao Maca Latte is a wonderful, wholesome alternative to coffee. It’s a delicious, healthy hot chocolate made with SUPER FOOD ingredients. Easy to make and naturally sweetened. The cacao and maca give you a natural energy lift and keep you balanced.
There are only 5 ingredients in this recipe. The 2 most important ones are cacao and maca.
Health Benefits of Maca
Maca is a beneficial superfood from Peru. It was used in ancient times by warriors to boost stamina and strength before going into battle. Today it is used as a tonic to enhance vitality, energy and stamina. It is especially good when you’re feeling tired or for those suffering from adrenal fatigue .
Maca is an herbal adaptogen that allows your body to adapt to stress by changing the balance of your hormones. If you’re under a lot of stress consider adding maca to your diet.
Maca is also good for
- Enhancing libido
- Improving sleep
- Reducing menstrual or menopause discomfort
- Relieving anxiety
- Improving metal focus, memory and clarity
I like gelatinized maca. This is a process of removing the fiber and starches that make it hard to digest for some people. This means the bioavailability of the active ingredients of the root are maximized and your body absorbs them better. Gelatinized maca contains over 4 times the zinc, iron, and calcium content of raw maca powder!
Maca has a malty, nutty, and rich flavor that goes really well with cacao.
Health Benefits of Cacao
Health Benefits of CacaoImproves Your Mood – Cacao stimulates the brain to release neurotransmitters, which trigger emotions like joy, peace and love.
Good for Your Heart – Cacao protects your heart by inhibiting the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (aka the “bad” cholesterol).
High In Magnesium – Magnesium is important for a healthy heart, and helps turn glucose into energy enabling your brain to work with laser-sharp clarity and focus.
Packed with Antioxidants – Cacao has over 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries. Antioxidants help prevent cell damage.
This paleo hot chocolate latte can be made with any type of nut milk. I like it with cashew or almond milk. But if you’re nut free, coconut milk is also good.
I use maple syrup as a sweetener. You can replace it with honey or your favorite natural sweetener.
Adapt the recipe to your own taste by adding more or less cacao and sweetener.
For additional protein add a scoop of collagen or gelatin.
How To Make Cacao Maca Latte
You’ll love that it’s super easy to make.
Heat the nut milk and water, pour into a blender, add the cacao, maca and maple syrup. Blend and serve!
Top with grated chocolate or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
This healthy hot chocolate will energize you naturally. It also helps reduce stress by balancing hormones and stimulating the brain to release neurotransmitters that make you feel really good.
If you give this recipe a try, please let us know what you think! Give it some stars or leave a comment. ♥
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PrintCacao Maca Latte (Paleo Dairy Free)
Cacao Maca Latte is a healthy hot chocolate made with SUPER FOOD ingredients. It’s paleo, dairy free, naturally sweetened and easy to make.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 3/4 cup almond milk, cashew milk or coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon maca
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or raw honey
- Chocolate shavings or cinnamon (optional)
Optional
Instructions
- Heat water and nut milk in a small saucepan until very hot but not boiling.
- Pour into a blender.
- Add cacao powder, maca, sweetener and collagen if using.
- Blend until frothy.
- Pour into a cup and sprinkle with chocolate shavings or cinnamon.
- Enjoy!
This is by far my favorite drink of all time! Totally comfort and bliss !!
Thanks Frances, I love it too. It gives me energy without the jitters of coffee.
This was very good, thank you!
Thanks Sarah for sharing, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I have not made it yet. But if I make it in the evening (about 5-7pm) will it keep me up at night?
Thx
Hi Zoraida, Thank you for your question. I would try it first earlier in the day and see if it gives you a mild jolt of energy. The active stimulant in raw cacao is called theobromine. Theobromine is very similar to caffeine, but its effects are milder. It affects some people more than others. I used to be able to eat chocolate in the evening but now it keeps me up. See how it makes you feel before having it in the evening.
I’m trying to transition out of my morning coffee as I became a Starbucks addict. I tried this recipe and I have to give it 5/5 stars. I didn’t get the jolt I’m used to from coffee but that only tells you how badly I’ve abused my adrenals. Thank you for the information, between this recipe and Matcha lattes I think I’ll be alright.
Hi Brenda,I’m glad you like the cacao matcha latte. It’s something I too have used to transition off of coffee. After a few days without coffee you’ll feel much more relaxed. Good luck and good health.
Oh my gosh I finally quit coffee and this is an amazing alternative! Thank you! I made it this morning and it was lovely!!
Fantastic Amanda you should be so proud of yourself. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Gelatin is not vegan… weird for this to be labeled as vegan and to include a non-vegan ingredient…
Hi Henry, you are 100% correct. The recipe can be made without the gelatin, it is optional. If you’re vegan leave it out, the taste and texture will be the same. Thanks for clarifying that for us all.
I think it’s important to label that in your notes for those who are newly transitioning to veganism and/or trying to create this recipe for a vegan friend. They may not be aware that gelatin isn’t vegan. Just a thought.
Yes Henry, thank you for pointing that out I will make a note of it.
My father made this for me while I was visiting him this week and I had to have him send me the recipe because this is my new favorite morning beverage!! I’ve made this for myself every morning since! This has made giving up coffee , something I was dreading, a breeze! I’m obsessed!
Hi Jehnna, Wow I’m so happy you love it. Thank you for trying it out and taking the time to let us know you find it to be a delightful coffee replacement. It’s feels good to have a satisfying morning beverage that feels good in your body.