Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate anyone?

I was ready for a cup of hot chocolate and found that my cupboard was bare. I was determined to make it myself this year.
 There were too many distractions at the time, so we loaded our cart with a few yummy sounding flavors while at the store.
After we opened the can, we were shocked to see that it was only about 1/2 way full. Crazy marketing ploy. Large can on the outside, nothing on the inside.

So off to the Internet to see how it is done. Here are a few that might interest you. I know I am going to whip some up real soon. Those 1/2 full or 1/2 empty cans (however you see the cup) are almost empty for reals.

Homemade Flavored Hot Cocoa Mix

• 1 1/2 cups powdered milk
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup dutch processed cocoa ( or use Hershey's special dark cocoa, I have also used 1/2 baking cocoa and 1/2 dutch processed, but it works best with at least 1/2 dutch processed cocoa because it gives it a richer taste.)
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients together in a food processor and mix until chips are finely chopped. Depending on the size of your food processor you may have to do a few batches. (I think this also could be done in a couple of batches in a blender.)
To serve you can do this two ways:
4 to 5 tablespoons hot chocolate mix with 1 cup hot water
Or for a creamier hot chocolate: Mix 3 to 4 tablespoons hot chocolate mix with 1 cup of milk. (This is my favorite way to drink it)

For the variations:

Homemade Butterscotch Hot Cocoa: Substitute butterscotch chips for the chocolate chips.
Homemade Mint Hot Cocoa: Substitute Andes mints for the chocolate chips
Homemade Cinnamon Hot Cocoa: Substitute cinnamon chips for the chocolate chips.
Homemade Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa: Substitute special dark chips for the chocolate chips.

http://www.lynnskitchenadventures.com/2010/12/homemade-flavored-hot-cocoa-mix.html

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Hot Cocoa Mix
4 cups nonfat dry milk powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup non-dairy coffee creamer
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 (4 ounce) package instant chocolate fudge pudding

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. If a finer consistency is desired, you can pour the mix into a blender or food processor and run it through that. Store in an airtight container. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup (depending on your cocoa preference) of the mix to an 8 ounce mug of boiling water.

Read more at http://momadvice.com/blog/2010/12/delicious-drink-mixes-creamy-hot-cocoa-or-vanilla-chai-tea-mix#FthQsxueD1SHH05D.99

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Would you rather enjoy a LARGE crock pot full for the family or guest? Try this rich and creamy version.

Creamy Crock pot Hot Cocoa 

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups whipping cream
• 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 6 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups of milk chocolate chips

Instructions:
Stir together the whipping cream, milk, vanilla, and chocolate chips in a crock pot.
Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted. Stir again before serving. Garnish as desired.

http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2010/12/creamy-crockpot-hot-cocoa-best-ever/

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Want your house to smell Festive?

Plug in a pot of this wonderful stuff.

 

 

Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider

Serves 12

Ingredients

12 cups of apple juice – I bought a gallon and had a little leftover

6 cinnamon sticks

1/2 cup of good quality jarred caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling

Whipped cream

Directions

Heat apple juice and cinnamon sticks in the slow cooker for about 4 hours on high. Let the cinnamon sticks soften and uncurl. Before serving, stir in 1/2 cup of caramel sauce and serve in heat proof cups. Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel.
http://www.number-2-pencil.com/