Holiday shopping done? Are you sure? Because there’s nothing worse than forgetting to get a holiday gift for someone special. (Actually, here’s one thing that might be worse: You could receive a gift from someone from whom you weren’t expecting a gift, and then wish you had gotten them something too.)
There’s always that temporary moment of panic: “Oh no! I don’t want to hit the mall at the last minute. Oh no! I just want to relax and enjoy the holidays!” Girl, I hear you.
That’s why there’s this easy, homemade Mexican Hot Cocoa Mix to set you straight. Not only is hot chocolate an amazing wintertime treat, but it also makes a stupendous gift. And the best gifts are the homemade ones, right?
Make a big batch and keep a few jars on hand for whoever. (Maybe that neighbor who baked you a bazillion surprise holiday cookies? Maybe your cousin’s girlfriend who you just found out is coming to Christmas? Or perhaps your grandma who has everything?)
A spicy hot chocolate mix to give and share!
Ingredients
- 3 ounces semisweet or dark chocolate chips, or roughly chopped chocolate
- 1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons powdered milk
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- pinch cayenne pepper
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients — except for the cinnamon sticks — together in a food processor until powdery. (You can also use a grater on the chocolate until it is fine, then stir it into the rest of the ingredients.) Store in an airtight container with the cinnamon sticks for up to 2 months.
- To use: Warm one cup of milk (your choice — whole, skim, coconut, almond, soy, etc.) in a saucepan over medium heat until steamy. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of the hot cocoa mix. Heat 1-2 minutes until it begins to simmer and the mix is completely dissolved. Pour into a mug. Top with whipped cream, sprinkle mini marshmallows on top or garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Notes
Based on Smitten Kitchen's Decadent Hot Chocolate Mix
Don’t like it spicy? Nix the cayenne, maybe even the cinnamon and you’ve got a basic cocoa mix anyone would love.
Want a buzz? Stir in 1 ounce of liqueur, like vodka, coffee liqueur or cinnamon whiskey. And stop by Feast + West for more cocktail inspiration!
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