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Shake 5 min 1 big mug

Protein Hot Chocolate

The cold-evening mug with 36 g of protein — and the trick that stops clumps.

Protein Hot Chocolate
The dish, photographed by Tohm Brigitte (CC0 1.0). Our version may look a little different.

Per serving

Protein
36 g
72% DV
Calories
320
kcal
Fiber
4 g
14% DV
Magnesium
85 mg
20% DV

Carbs 30 g · fat 9 g · sugars 22 g (incl. natural) · calcium 515 mg · potassium 740 mg · sodium 195 mg. We did the math: each ingredient by weight with USDA FoodData Central values, and the protein powder from its label. Brands differ a little.

Hot chocolate season is also the season people fall off their protein. Warming the milk first and whisking the whey in off the heat gives you a smooth, thick mug instead of clumps — with nearly as much protein as six eggs.

Ingredients

1 big mug

  • 1¼ cups milk (300 ml)
  • 1 scoop chocolate whey (31 g)
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa (10 g)
  • 1 tsp honey, or to taste (7 g)
  • a pinch of cinnamon

How to make it

  1. 1

    Warm the milk in a small pot until it steams — don't let it boil.

  2. 2

    Take it off the heat. In your mug, mix the whey and cocoa with 2–3 tablespoons of the warm milk into a smooth paste.

  3. 3

    Pour in the rest of the milk while whisking, then stir in the honey and cinnamon.

Kitchen notes

  • Whey clumps in boiling milk: a paste first, and milk that's hot but not boiling, keeps it smooth.
  • A small whisk or a frother is the easiest way to make it foamy without extra sugar.
  • Unsweetened cocoa adds the real chocolate taste for very little sugar — a tub lasts months.

What goes in it

The products this recipe was worked out with — any similar one works.

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Going deeper: our label-checked guide →

More from the kitchen

Nutrition sources for this recipe
  • Milk, reduced fat, fluid, 2% milkfat, with added vitamin A and vitamin D — USDA FoodData Central #171267
  • Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened — USDA FoodData Central #169593
  • Honey — USDA FoodData Central #169640
  • Spices, cinnamon, ground — USDA FoodData Central #171320
  • Protein powder — label of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey (1 scoop, 31 g)