Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix and Chocolate-Dipped Spoons
December 21, 2011 | Print | E-mail | Filed under chocolate
There’s just something magical about a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter’s day, especially around Christmas time. I don’t know about you, but my favorite way to enjoy hot cocoa is with a little bit of whipped cream on top. Lately I’ve been trying all different kinds, though – some with marshmallows, some with extra chocolate, and I’ve even stirred in a bit of salted caramel sauce from Trader Joe’s (amazing). It dawned on me that little jars of homemade hot cocoa mix would make a perfect and easy, last-minute gift, so I went to work whipping up my own. The best part is that you can customize your mix by adding anything you like, such as chopped white or dark chocolate, a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little more heat, or a sprinkling of sea salt for those sweet/salty combo lovers. I packaged up my mix in eight-ounce canning jars tied with ribbon, and I included a candy cane and two chocolate-dipped spoons in treat bags with each jar for stirring. I printed out the directions for making the cocoa on card stock, punched a hole in the corner, and attached them to the jars with twine, but you can always hand-write them for an even more personal touch!
For the hot cocoa mix:
- 3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
For the chocolate-dipped spoons:
- 4 ounces semisweet or white chocolate, melted
- 8 plastic spoons
- Sprinkles and crushed candy canes
For the mix, whisk together all the ingredients except the marshmallows in a large bowl.
Spoon into jars, where it can be stored for up to 3 months. Sprinkle marshmallows over the top, and then top with lids and rings. Fills 4 eight-ounce jars, with some left over.
For the spoons, dip each plastic spoon into the melted chocolate and let dry a minute or two.
Dip the spoons into the sprinkles and/or candy canes. Let sit until completely dry; I stuck mine in the refrigerator for a few minutes to help them firm up faster.
To make the hot cocoa from the mix, spoon 4 Tbsp of the hot cocoa mix into a mug, and then stir in 1 cup of hot water or milk. Top with the miniature marshmallows. Stir with a chocolate-dipped spoon and enjoy!
December 21st, 2011 at 12:32 pm
love the chocolate dipped spoons ! the gift looks magical too
December 21st, 2011 at 12:33 pm
These are so wonderful! I love homemade gifts.
December 21st, 2011 at 12:41 pm
Love this! I was just googling (is that even a word?!) hot cocoa mixes to go along with my peppermint marshmallows. I think I need to make the mix and spoons to go with them now. It’s the perfect hot cocoa trio.
December 21st, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Okay, so I got a pretty fabulous Christmas gift from you already – but these are totally adorable and I’m jealous of the recipients!
December 21st, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Super cute gift idea!
December 21st, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Adorable!
December 21st, 2011 at 2:58 pm
These spoons are so cute! Love this idea!
December 21st, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Wow, these are so cute!! The chocolate dipped spoons are simply adorable.
December 21st, 2011 at 5:15 pm
I love the idea of adding chocolate dipped spoons to these homemade gifts!! This is definitely on my to-do list for next year.
December 21st, 2011 at 5:30 pm
love this idea – so cute!
December 21st, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Thanks for inspiring me to make my umpteenth cup of cocoa for dinner tonight! It’s too irresistible.
December 21st, 2011 at 11:43 pm
Love these!! Such a great idea, and so CUTE!! I’m with you…whipped cream on top is the way to go.
December 22nd, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Perfect for me to read today! I wanted to add something special to the cocoa & marshmallows and the spoons will be perfect. Thanks so much for sharing! I’d forgotten about them.
xo
Pat
December 22nd, 2011 at 6:45 pm
How cute is this! What a great gift idea! Thanks!
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Absolutely beautiful photos and a perfect gift to give.
December 23rd, 2011 at 5:00 pm
I just love this idea! My kids would be all over these…hot chocolate optional