As a college student, local coffee houses (that were not national chains) drew me in as an evening hangout spot.  It wasn’t about the coffee; my friends and I came for the ambiance.  To justify occupying a table, I would order a cup of hot chocolate or steamed milk.

However, unlike those artificially tinted cups of warm, frothy sweetness, this homemade version of steamed milk is all natural.  And I love it for its five-ingredient simplicity.  A touch of coconut milk makes it rich and creamy.  You could certainly stir in other favourite spices into this steamed milk if you wish.  Nevertheless, cinnamon does an admirable job of spicing on its own.  Sip a mug of it and see what you think.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond milk (or milk of choice)
• 1/4 cup coconut milk (or dairy cream), optional
• 4 dates, pitted and chopped
• ground cinnamon, to taste
• pure honey, to taste

Directions:

1. Into a saucepan, combine almond milk and dates and bring to a simmer.  Stir frequently.  When dates have softened, remove mixture from heat and allow it to cool until lukewarm.
2. Carefully pour the liquid and transfer all of the softened dates into a blender.  Blend or pulse until frothy.  Add spices and reheat milk mixture until very warm, but not boiling.  Pour steamed milk into mugs, swirl in coconut milk, and serve warm.

I’m sharing this recipe at Smoothie OTW,  Allergy Free Wednesdays and here.