Rich, Chocolaty Hot Cocoa Mix

Growing up I remember coming in from the cold winter weather all bundled up in my big coat, gloves, scarf and toboggan (Think Ralfie from the Christmas Story) and my cheeks were redder than red and colder than cold.  Once I shed all the winter garb my mom and dad had a fire going and a big ol’ cup of hot chocolate waiting on me to help me thaw out and warm up.  Rich, warm hot chocolate topped with gobs of marshmallows, what better way to warm up?

To this day hot chocolate still holds a special place in my heart, and stomach and I still can’t think of a better way to warm up than silky, chocolate deliciousness.  I always have a box, or two, of hot chocolate mix on hand for those days when hot chocolate is necessary.  Oh, and I have to have the kind with the mini marshmallows.  Because, after all, what’s hot chocolate without marshmallows?   

So, since I love the stuff so much I thought it would only be appropriate to make my own version at home.  It was due time to make the concoction for myself and amp up the chocolate power just a touch…since you really can’t ever have too much chocolate!  So just in time for Christmas I have made my very own hot chocolate mix.  Perfect, right?  Now I can have rich chocolaty hot chocolate any time I want, even if I run out of my beloved store-bought stuff with the mini marshmallows, because I know how to make my very own mix!  I’m probably too excited about this, but hey, it is chocolate and I have the right to be over the moon!

Oh, another perk to this homemade mix.  It makes terrific Christmas presents.  The mix is easy to make, can be doubled, tripled and so on then package in little bags and placed in a cute mug or spooned into jars and given to your friends, family, co-workers and even your kid’s teachers.  This is a gift that is so much fun and the amounts of sweetness and chocolate are completely controlled by you!  The only thing in question now is: with or without marshmallows, what type of cocoa drinker are you?

Rich, Chocolaty Hot Cocoa Mix

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 Cups unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Cups powdered milk
1/2 Cup Nesquick chocolate powder
1/4 Tsp salt
1/2 Cup (2 oz) white chocolate, finely chopped
1/4 Cup (1 oz) semi sweet chocolate, finely chopped
Pinch of cayenne pepper, if desired

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a large bowl and whisk to combine.  Place in cellophane bags or jars and store.

To make-
Place 2-4 tablespoons of mix in a mug (depending on how chocolaty you want it) and add 1 cup warm milk and stir to combine.  Top with marshmallows, or whipped cream and chocolate syrup and ejoy.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original