Holiday Food Gifts- Hot Cocoa Mix

Homemade food gifts are always treasured and thoughtful at the holidays

Nothing says, “Happy Holidays” like a homemade food gift. Something from the heart and hearth says, “you mean more to me than a quick trip to the mall.”.

Hunky Hubbie and I are at a point in our lives where “things” do not interest us much anymore. We are constantly editing our home and closets. Less stuff is truly more.

Gifts of time, food and travel are what we love to share with our family and friends.

This hot cocoa mix is the perfect gift and it is SO simple to make- no baking required.

Just mix cocoa powder like Hersey’s, powdered milk, sea salt, corn starch and chopped up bittersweet baking chocolate. Add in a little sugar to taste- I use 3/4 cup and spoon into cute jars you can purchase here. Tie on a bow and call Christmas done.

Just imagine how happy your friends will be on a cold night sipping hot cocoa made by you. Add a splash of Bailey’s, Bourbon or Rum to make it boozy and bright. I made my mug with full fat oat milk and it was ultra creamy, silky and luxurious. This is the brand of OAT MILK I use.

Merry! Merry!

High quality choclate, sea salt and powdered milk are key to making this incredible mix

Hot Cocoa Mix

3/4 cup granulated sugar
6 oz (70% cacao) bittersweet dark baking chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, like Hersey’s
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder
5 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp sea salt
pinch of cinnamon

Chop 6 oz of bittersweet or dark chocolate for this mixture

Method- Prep time 15 minutes. Baking time- none- makes 2- 5oz jars

Finely chop the chocolate baking bar.
In the bowl of a food processor add chopped chocolate, vanilla and remaining ingredients. Process until the chocolate bar is pulverized into the other ingredients. If you do not have a food processor, just chop the baking chocolate as finely as possible and mix everything in a large bowl with a wire whisk.
Spoon into air tight jars. The mixture will last up to 2 months.
To make hot chocolate: Heat 1 cup of milk in a saucepan. Once bubbles form and the milk is steaming, add 1/4 of the cocoa mix to the milk.
Whisk until frothy.

Top with crushed candy cane, marshmallows or whipped cream.
Add a shot of rum, bourbon or your favorite spirits for a grown up cup of cocoa.