Hot Chocolate Mix

This year my family is packaging up this hot chocolate mix in big Mason jars and giving them to my little cousins for Christmas. Throw in a bag of marshmallows or make your own and I'd say you've got a great little gift.

We taste tested this cocoa to make sure it was as good as it sounded (chocolate pudding is in the mix!) and it got the thumbs up all around. This recipe makes one batch, which is a lot of mix but you sort of need a lot to make a cup so it all worked out.

Have yourselves a Merry Little Christmas! Our Christmas Card this year: If you thought I'd be savvy enough to upload a good picture from Shutterfly where I purchased this card, you'd be very wrong.

Hot Cocoa Mix

adapted from "momadvice.com"

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.

“‘And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.’” (Luke, chapter 2 and Linus)

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Peace and goodwill to you this holiday season, my friends.