“There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.”
~ Linda Grayson
Do you love hot chocolate but not the ingredients found in pre-packaged versions? I mean, as tempting as this popular brands ingredient list sounds . . .
INGREDIENTS: SUGAR, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, VEGETABLE OIL (PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COCONUT OR PALM KERNEL AND HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN), DAIRY PRODUCT SOLIDS, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, AND LESS THAN 2% OF CELLULOSE GUM, NONFAT MILK, SALT, SODIUM CASEINATE, SODIUM CITRATE, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM ALUMINOSILICATE, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, GUAR GUM, ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS.
I think I’ll just stick with chocolate, milk, and other ingredients I can pronounce.
This hot cocoa recipe is easy to put together and makes a delightful gift for teachers, friends, grandparents, co-workers, neighbors, and whomever else you want to make smile. Put this mix in a mason jar with some butcher’s twine wrapped around the lid and – voila! – you have an instant gift that just about everyone will love. If you’re feeling like an over-achiever, you can even include homemade marshmallows.
Should I Use Cocoa Or Cacao?
I hear this question a lot. The answer is it’s really up to you. Cacao contains more antioxidants than cocoa, but it has a stronger – some say slightly more bitter – flavor. Those with an adventurous palate will probably enjoy the cacao. If you’re looking for something that reminds you of the pre-packaged mixes you grew up with, though, go with the cocoa. Or do a 50/50 mix of the two and make everybody happy!
(Note: If you go with cocoa I recommend using fair-trade dutch process. It’s better for you and the world we live in.)
This hot chocolate mix is easy to put together and makes a delicious gift for teachers, friends, grandparents, co-workers, neighbors, and whomever else you want to make smile. Put it in a cute mason jar and voila! You have an instant gift that just about everyone will love.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Equipment
- coffee grinder
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic dutch process cocoa powder
- ⅔ - 1 cup sucanat or coconut sugar (I like mine subtly sweet. Prefer more sweetness? use 1 cup)
- ½ tsp unrefined sea salt
- ½ - 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
Method 1:
- Grind the sucanat in a coffee grinder until the texture is very fine. Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix thoroughly. Transfer to a jar - preferably a pretty one if you're gifting this mix.
Method 2:
- In a food processor, blend the cocoa powder and sucanat until the texture is very fine. Mix in salt and transfer to a jar for storage.
To Use:
- Mix 1 tablespoon with 1 cup hot milk, coconut milk, or water. Top with marshmallows.
Nutrition
Looking for more chocolate-infused recipes?
Here are a few of my favorites:
