~by Nikki

First off, I give credit where credit is due. I would not have had ANY conception of this wonderful drink had it not been for my good friend Jupiter6 from OH. She is a stats goddess and anything I know about computing stats, making swaps, etc. I owe to her because I learn by watching and I watched the best!

To my understanding, she got her recipe from Starbuck’s. They have a salted caramel hot cocoa that is…not even remotely weight loss surgery friendly. So she tinkered with it and got it to where the stats weren’t too bad. I like her as-is version very much, but some days I’m low on my protein and, especially when it’s cold outside, this is a YUMMY way to make up the difference.

Here is Jupiter’s original version for those that just want a great hot drink.

For those that need the protein boost, here’s what I did to it:

Salted Caramel Protein Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

1/2 c. Hood Calorie Countdown Skim Milk (this can be hard to find. Regular skim is fine)
8 oz. boiling water
1 heaping tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 scoop chocolate protein powder (I like this kind for this recipe)
4 pumps Davinci sugar free caramel syrup (or if you want to really stick it to the man, buy a bottle of Starbucks sugar-free caramel. Your choice!)
4-6 packets of no-calorie sweetener
About 1/4 tsp of salt (Shari suggests a specific kind. I use regular table salt cuz I’m poor and it works! Usually I end up with a bit more than 1/4 tsp to get the desired effect. If you’re unsure about this whole thing, start with 1/8 tsp and work your way up)

Optional: fat-free whipped cream

Directions:

In 12 oz. mug, combine your protein powder, sweetener and cocoa powder. Add milk and stir until a thick, smoothe paste forms.

Add boiling water SLOWLY, stirring while you add and then stir some more! This takes some practice but if you do it right, you get a smooth drink with no lumps.

Add your caramel syrup and salt and stir. Now give it a taste. It should be sweet with a small, but noticeable, punch of saltiness. If you can’t taste the salt at all (because salt, in small doses, amps up sweetness so it takes a good bit to get the salt to register), add a bit more until you get to that sweet/salty flavor.

Top with whipped cream and enjoy!

This is my winter bedtime treat! While the kids are having their dessert (yes, I allow them to have sugar desserts sometimes), I have this. No dumping, no guilt–just YUM!