Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Cocoa gift for the holidays from author @DarylWoodGerber



There's nothing that feels better during the holidays than making something to give. Something from the heart. It could be a card. A personal ornament. A batch of cookies.

Or hot cocoa. 

This is a luscious gift your recipient can savor now, or in the months to come. Because this particular gift doesn't go "bad." Granted, it might not be as good a year from now, but it'll keep well for at least three months in a sealed tight jar. [I dare you to keep it that long!]

I learned about this recipe after seeing a picture on Pinterest last year, a few days before Christmas, but I didn't have a chance to share it with you. I have to say that the people I gave it to were so excited. Big smiles. What's not to like? It's rich and satisfying.

Enjoy!

PS I can't for the life of me find the recipe via Pinterest again, so I'm sorry for "borrowing" from the Internet without making note of who designed this easy recipe.


Hot Cocoa for Christmas Gifts

(1 recipe makes 3-4 jars * I doubled the recipe in photos below)

2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup cocoa (use a high-quality brand; I used Penzey’s)
2 ½ cups powdered milk
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Small marshmallows * (see note Gluten-free)

Dump the ingredients into a bowl. Stir. Distribute into jars with lids. You can top with some marshmallows. Close the lid.







Add some ribbon and a tag with directions for your recipient to fill a mug half full with mix and then add steaming hot water.  Stir and enjoy!

You can handwrite a card...




Or print one out like this:


Note: * if you have a gluten-free recipient, don’t add marshmallows unless the marshmallows are gluten-free. FYI: Kraft Marshmallows are!  


Last gasp:  I had one cup left over after filling 6 jars. What to do? What to do?

Duh. I made myself a mug. 

You simply cannot be "grumpy" drinking this. 



Savor the mystery!

Daryl Wood Gerber aka Avery Aames
Tasty ~ Zesty ~ Dangerous!


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32 comments:

  1. What a marvelous gift! I've tried similar gifts...coffee beans or tea in cups was a big hit! kat8762@aol.com

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  2. What a great post! They turned out great and look so pretty!! Please enter me!! I'd love to win!! Happy holidays to you and your family!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No winning today. No giveaways. There was a giveaway yesterday for Cleo, so you might want to go back and click on comments below Cleo's post!

      ~Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  3. Great recipe for gifts. Thanks for sharing.
    diannekc8@gmail.com

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  4. What a lovely gift idea. Thank you for the recipe and instructions.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. Very pretty gift! By the way..no marshmallows. .EVER!!! ;)
    ejbs3s@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. You're not a marshmallow fan? I know many who aren't.
      ~Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  6. I used to make this year's ago. Delicious! Thanks for sharing!
    angelhwk68@yahoo.com

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  7. Beautiful, Daryl, and so simple! thanks for sharing. xo

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  8. If you are gifting to celiacs check the powdered milk for wheat products.

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    Replies
    1. Good note! I use Kroger's (which is the generic at my Ralph's supermarket) and it is wheat-free.

      ~Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  9. I did this last year and it was a hit!

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  10. Simple, delightful, and from the heart=perfect gift.

    I used to make hot chocolate for my husband to drink after he finished shoveling the snow. I usually added a shot of something extra, like brandy. (We now live in south Florida and don't have the snow to deal with any more. And we do not miss it.)

    I also would add some coffee to this mix. Or, perhaps, make it with coffee! Oooo Instant mocha delight.

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  11. My Mom still makes me hot chocolate whenever I go over to shovel snow for her.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  12. I really like this idea, Daryl! I wonder if one could omit the powdered milk and heat it up with fresh milk instead. Homemade gifts are the best! :-)

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  13. I recommended this to my sister last weekend for her office mates. She went with bags of M&Ms and lottery tickets wrapped in tissue paper and ribbon like Christmas crackers (another of MY ideas). Luckily, at my office we don't do any of that.

    acm05atjuno.com

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  14. What a great idea, Daryl! Almost everyone loves hot chocolate. Hard to go wrong with this!

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  15. We used to mix that up often so we could have a quick cuppa'.

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  16. I love this gift idea. Thank you for the recipe!

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  17. I love this gift idea. Thank you for the recipe!

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  18. A great recipe to follow.
    gloriawalshver@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete