If you're a fan of rich, decadent hot chocolate and love adding a boost of nutrient-dense, functional ingredients to your favorite recipes, the Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders Hot Chocolate mix is the perfect ingredient for you.

This unique blend goes beyond just a comforting drink—it's packed with powerful health benefits and versatile enough to use in a variety of recipes. Here's why 5 Defenders Hot Chocolate is a game-changer for your beverages and beyond:

• Immune-Supporting Benefits: This blend contains mushroom extracts like Reishi and Turkey Tail, renowned for their immune-supporting properties, helping your body stay balanced and resilient.
• Synergistic Mushroom Extracts: The 5 Defenders mix features five functional mushrooms—Reishi, Turkey Tail, Chaga, Maitake, and Shiitake—that work together to support overall cellular health and promote longevity.
• 100% Organic, Heirloom Cacao: The base of this mix is heirloom cacao, a rich and flavorful ingredient that is not only delicious but also organic, ensuring you're consuming high-quality, pure chocolate.
• Low in Sugar and All Natural: With a low-sugar formula and all organic ingredients, this mix is a wholesome addition to your diet, free from artificial additives (Note: we do also offer an unsweetened version of 5 Defenders Hot Chocolate mix!)
• Versatile in Recipes: Beyond your favorite hot drinks, this blend enhances everything from breakfast pancakes to decadent desserts, making it an easy way to incorporate both flavor and nutrition into your meals.

Ready to explore how you can use this superfood mix in creative ways?

Our Real Mushrooms staff shared these recipes, highlighting some of their favorite uses of the 5 Defenders Hot Chocolate mix!

In This Article:

• Melanie’s Gluten-Free Chocolate Banana Pancakes
• Jessica’s Flax Pudding
• Heather’s Chocolate Marshmallows
• Heather’s Chocolate Protein Shake
• Bill’s Ponybear Pudding
• Conclusion

Melanie’s Gluten-Free Chocolate Banana Pancakes

Description:

These fluffy, gluten-free pancakes combine the rich flavors of chocolate and banana with the immune-supporting benefits of Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders Hot Chocolate mix. Perfect for a special breakfast or brunch, these pancakes are decadent yet wholesome, ensuring a nutrient-packed start to your day.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders Hot Chocolate Mix (sugar-free version available)
• 1 cup mashed ripe banana
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup cassava flour (lightly packed)
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• Water or milk (optional)
• 1 tbsp melted butter or coconut oil for the pan

Instructions:

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, combine cassava flour, hot chocolate mix, salt, and baking powder. Whisk until well combined.
2. Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Add the mashed banana and vanilla extract, and whisk until smooth.
3. Combine Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. If the batter is too thick, gradually add water or milk until the consistency is pourable.
4. Cook the Pancakes: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat, greasing lightly with butter or coconut oil. Pour about ¼ cup of batter for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook the other side until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes per side).
5. Serve: Enjoy with your favorite toppings like sliced bananas, berries, yogurt, or syrup.

BONUS RECIPE: Melanie loves adding both the hot chocolate mix and the Real Mushrooms Coconut Creamer to her oatmeal. View the video below for her recipe.

Jessica’s Flax Pudding

Description:

This flax pudding is a quick, nutrient-packed snack or breakfast that pairs the earthy flavors of golden flax with the richness of Real Mushrooms Hot Chocolate. Tremella powder adds an extra boost of nutrition to make this a superfood-packed treat.

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp golden flax seeds
• 1 tbsp Real Mushrooms Hot Chocolate Mix (sweetened)
• ½ tsp tremella powder
• ½ cup milk of choice (soy, almond, or dairy)
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Toppings: berries, nut butter, maple syrup, chopped nuts, Real Mushrooms Chocolate, flaked sea salt

Instructions:

1. In a small pot, combine all ingredients except toppings. Whisk over low heat until the mixture thickens.
2. Remove from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes.
3. Serve warm with your choice of toppings.

BONUS RECIPE: Jessica also loves adding the 5 Defenders Hot Chocolate Mix in with her nut butter. She mixes her nut butter of choice and hot chocolate powder in a 1:1 ratio. Then, she gradually adds water until the mixture is smooth and spreadable.

Heather’s Chocolate Marshmallows

Description:

These homemade marshmallows, enhanced with the rich flavor of Real Mushrooms Hot Chocolate Mix, are perfect for toasting, pairing with s'mores, or enjoying in your favorite hot drinks. Heather loves making these for her kids so they can enjoy a homemade, healthier version of this sticky treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water (divided)
• 3 tbsp gelatin powder
• ⅓ cup maple syrup
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• ½ cup Real Mushrooms Hot Chocolate Mix (sweetened)

Instructions:

1. Line an 8x8” or 9x9” baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Sprinkle gelatin over ½ cup of water in a stand mixer and let it bloom.
3. Heat the remaining water with maple syrup, vanilla, and sea salt in a saucepan until steaming but not boiling.
4. Slowly pour the heated syrup into the gelatin while mixing on low speed.
5. Add the hot chocolate mix and continue whipping until fluffy with nearly stiff peaks.
6. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and smooth it out with a spatula. Let it cool to room temperature before cutting into squares.

Heather’s Chocolate Protein Shake

Description:

This creamy, chocolatey shake is an ideal post-workout snack or quick breakfast. It combines the healthy fats from avocado and the rich flavor of Real Mushrooms Hot Chocolate Mix for a delicious, nutrient-packed drink.

Ingredients:

• ½ banana (fresh or frozen)
• ¼ avocado (fresh or frozen)
• 16-20 oz milk of choice
• 1 scoop protein powder (unflavored, vanilla, or strawberry)
• 2 tbsp Real Mushrooms Hot Chocolate Mix (sweetened)
• Pinch of sea salt
• Optional: peanut butter powder, collagen powder, or other supplements

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust the thickness by adding more milk or water if needed.

Bill’s Ponybear Pudding

Description:

Indulge in this creamy, rich pudding that combines the wholesome goodness of Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders Hot Chocolate with your favorite dairy or non-dairy beverage. This simple yet decadent treat is packed with five powerful mushroom extracts that support immune health and longevity, making it both delicious and nutritious.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders Hot Chocolate Mix (Sugar-Free version available)
• 8 oz organic half-and-half (or dairy alternative of your choice)
• 4 oz glass jars with lids
• Whisk, saucepan, spatula

Instructions:

1. Mix Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the hot chocolate mix and half-and-half over medium heat until fully combined.
2. Heat to Boil: Continue whisking as the mixture heats. Once it reaches a boil (208°F) and begins to foam, reduce the heat to low.
3. Thicken: Stir constantly for about 5 minutes as the mixture thickens.
4. Chill: Pour the pudding into 4 oz glass jars and allow them to cool in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
5. Serve: Enjoy this creamy, mushroom-powered pudding chilled.

Each serving contains 500 mg of Real Mushrooms' signature blend, featuring Turkey Tail, Reishi, Chaga, Maitake, and Shiitake mushroom extracts for a nutritious boost in every spoonful!

How to Get Cooking with Hot Chocolate!

With these versatile recipes, Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders Hot Chocolate isn’t just for cozy winter nights—it's a delicious way to enhance your meals with nutrient-dense, functional ingredients.

Whether you’re whipping up a batch of fluffy pancakes, creamy nut butter, or indulgent marshmallows, the possibilities are endless. Try these recipes today and experience the benefits of our 5 Defenders Hot Chocolate mix in a whole new way!