Merry Christmas! As you celebrate the holiday and exchange presents with your loved ones, don’t forget to give a little gift to your body while you’re at it. Treat your gut with this yummy, easy-to-make, Hot Whipped Kefir Cocoa made with Lifeway Kefir. Huddle up around the warm mug of cocoa and breathe in the soft, chocolatey fragrance. Sip and relax.
Because we use Lifeway Kefir in the recipe, we’re boosting this classic beverage with probiotics and protein, too. Research shows that probiotics may help balance the gut, improve immunity, and support emotional well-being. Protein supports a healthy metabolism, muscle maintenance and growth, and is essential to healthy hormone production. It’s the most wonderful treat for the most wonderful time of the year.
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese,a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 2-5 mins Servings: 2-3Ingredients
For the Cocoa:
- 2 1/2 cups Organic Whole Milk Vanilla Kefir
- or Organic Whole Milk Plain Kefir
- 2 tsp. sweetener or alternative sweetener of choice
- 2 tbsp. unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- 4oz. chocolate chips
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
For the Whipped Topping:
- 1 cup additional Whole Milk Kefir
- 1 tsp. sweetener or alternative sweetener of choice
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Top with crushed peppermints, cinnamon, or a dusting of cocoa
Directions
- Add 2 1/2 cups Lifeway Kefir, sweetener, and dark cocoa powder in a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat. Whisk occasionally until the mixture begins to bubble, but don't let it boil.
- Add the 4 oz. chocolate chips and vanilla, and whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
- Make the whipping topping by adding the kefir, vanilla, and sweetener into a blender or food processor to froth it up.
- Pour hot chocolate mixture into cups, and top with whipped kefir topping. Top with cinnamon, a dusting of cocoa, and crushed peppermints.
