(Semi) Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Hello and happy Tuesday……at least I think this is Tuesday. All these holidays have me totally messed up and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I decided not to blog on Christmas Eve, but I missed you all too much to take two weeks off in a row. Plus, I have a really good recipe to share.

It’s that time of year when gifts are going around. I know Christmas is usually the main gift giving holiday, but my family usually does gifts around Thanksgiving and we give little appreciation gifts to people around New Year’s.

Since I am getting rid of things I don’t meed, I like to try and give people things that they will actually use and enjoy. Also, I was on a budget when making this gift so you won’t have to worry about it breaking the bank. I wish I could spend tons and tons on the wonderful people in life, but I usually do pretty well finding something nice and thoughtful within my budget, and when I do, I want to share the idea with others because I know there are a lot of other people in the same boat.

This is an awesome gift to give to teachers, co-workers, bosses, and friends during the cold season. It also works as a great coffee creamer. You can get as fancy as you want with it too. You can add flavored creamers, pieces of peppermint or butterscotch candies, and personalized instruction cards for some added flair.

While the hot cocoa jar is precious by itself, you can add mugs with it (they sell cute ones at Dollar Tree) and fill them with treats, I personally chose a mix of white chocolate and caramel corn for my mugs, but the sky is the limit. The jar of cocoa would also be perfect to include in a movie night basket.

Whatever you pair it with, it’s a tasty mix that you’ll want to make for yourself too! Because of the powdered coffee creamer and the creamy goodness of the hot chocolate mix base, it makes a great coffee creamer or those who want an instant mocha. Whoever is on your gift list, this is definitely a good recipe to check out.

Happy New Year everyone and I can’t wait to begin the next year with you all.

Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe

• 1 40oz. jar pre-made hot cocoa mix
• 1 15oz. jar flavored coffee creamer, any flavor
• 1 bag mini chocolate chips
• 1 bag mini marshmallows (optional)
• crushed candy mix-ins or other flavors of chocolate chips (optional)
• Glass jar (or jars) for the mix

NOTE: This recipe makes 7-8 cups of mix depending on how many mix-ins you add.

In a large mixing bowl, combine cocoa mix, powdered coffee creamer, mini chocolate chips, and candy mix-ins. Stir it together until everything is completely combined. Scoop the mixture into decorative glass jars and leave room at the top to put in some mini marshmallows for a fun flair.

Decorate the jar however you like, you can even print an instructions tag. To make hot chocolate from the mix, just add what it says on your original jar to a mug of hot water or milk and enjoy!