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These Paleo hot chocolate sticks are simply made with dark chocolate, coconut milk, and maple syrup. They make the perfect holiday gift and turn into hot chocolate in seconds!
I love giving presents. I love it! In the world of love languages, “gifts” is on the top of my list. A thoughtful gift can say so much.
It can be a sign of promise and everlasting love (engagement ring), feel better soon (flowers to the sick), thank you for having me (bottle of wine for the hostess), we’re sorry for your loss (casserole to a grieving family), or a simple thinking of you (card and bar of dark chocolate – at least that’s what my friends send me).
Whether it’s the extra special cocktail ring I give (and will continue to give) each of my sisters before their weddings as a token of their individual fabulousness or the perfect squeaky toy for Gus, I spend a lot of energy on finding the right gift.
To keep with the theme of thoughtful giving, I had to come up with the perfect low budget, but still incredible gift for all my co-workers, neighbors, friends, and mailmen. Other than things that sparkle and squeak, I don’t know what’s more exciting than a square of perfectly flavored dark chocolate …on a stick …begging to be dipped in some hot milk. Right?
This recipe makes 36 paleo hot chocolate sticks. That’s 36 presents! All you have to do is melt the chocolate, add in a few other tasty ingredients, pour into a mold, chill, and wrap in plastic bags. It’s a simple, easy, cost effective, thoughtful gift.
Let’s make a batch!
Start with some good dark chocolate. Trader Joe’s carries these 1 lb 72% dark chocolate bars that work great!
Break up the chocolate pieces and make sure you test it …you know …to make sure it’s good chocolate. Quality control!
Put the chocolate in a glass bowl.
Add in ¼ cup full-fat coconut milk.
Then ¼ cup maple syrup and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Note: for a minty paleo hot chocolate stick, use peppermint extract.
As gently as you can, melt the chocolate. You can either do this over a double boiler or with short spells in the microwave. Just be sure to stir it as you go!
When it’s melted and evenly combined (and spoon-licking good), pour it into a plastic bag that you’ll use to pipe into the molds.
Grab some molds! I really like these cube silicone molds. You can find them here. Ice cube trays would work too!
Pull the top of the plastic bag up so the chocolate will settle in one corner. Clip the corner open.
And start piping into each mold.
All filled!
Now it’s ready for sticks. Poke each chocolate with a popsicle or cake stick.
Now put the chocolates in the refrigerator for 2 hours if using a silicone mold or overnight if using an ice tray in the freezer.
Pop ‘em out! Wrap in plastic bags and tie with a ribbon and the following instructions:
1. Heat 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk in a mug.
2. Take out your paleo hot chocolate stick!
3. Dip it into the hot almond milk and start stirring.
4. Keep stirring!
5. When the chocolate is dissolved, enjoy!
Nomz.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dark chocolate
- 1/4 cup full-fat organic canned coconut milk
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract sub peppermint extract for a peppermint hot chocolate!
- 36 popsicle or cake pop sticks
Instructions
- Break the chocolate into smaller pieces and place in a large glass bowl. Add the coconut milk, maple syrup, and extract.
- With either a double boiler or gentle spells in the microwave, melt the chocolate until smooth.
- Pour into silicone molds using a pastry bag and poke each with a cake pop stick.
- Refrigerate for at least two hours or until firm.
- To make a cup of hot chocolate, heat 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk in a mug. Dip the chocolate stick in and stir until completely dissolved. Enjoy!
Brenda Scinto says
YOU ARE SIMPLY A GENIUS!!
heatherelisabethr says
How brilliant! I’d be tempted to eat these right off the stick, but I’ll definitely make up a batch for when the hot chocolate mood strikes. Thanks for sharing your culinary cleverness!
misiesface says
Girrrrrrl – this is perfect! Done, and done!
Lisa says
just a question re:ingrediants, do you think this work with lactaid whole milk?
fedandfit says
Hm, maybe! It’s definitely worth a try!
Susan says
Does it have a maple flavor?
fedandfit says
Not at all. Just a nice chocolate flavor. The maple syrup helps sweeten the milk to give it that hot chocolate flavor.
Susan says
These look great. Will they stay solid at room temperature?
fedandfit says
They will!
Anne says
I just made these for teacher gifts and they are delicious! (I had to do quality control, too). I’ll be talking about them on my blog tomorrow!
Sandra says
How long will they last ie from time of making until using when at room temperature.
Many thanks
JoAn says
Looks like you used the cream off of the top of the coconut milk or did you shake and use the blended milk? Great idea. Thank you. 🙂
Cassy says
Great question! I actually shook the can 🙂
Carly says
How long will they stay solid at room temperature?
Kelly says
They should be able to last a very long time! As long as they are not sitting directly in the hot sun. Hope that helps Carly!
Kristie says
Easy and delicious! I am so excited to give these out for holiday treats! I individually bagged and tagged and added some mini peppermint marshmellows from Trader Joe’s. They look adorable, and I also performed quality control. A yummy hot chocolate or stirred into coffee for a peppermint mocha!
Amber Goulden says
So glad you liked it Kristie!