The high cost of hot chocolate made it a strictly aristocratic beverage until 1828, when Coenraad Johannes Van Houten of Holland figured out how to make instant cocoa by pressing cocoa butter into a powder. The Victorians enjoyed their hot cocoa so much they created a specialized version of their beloved tea pot to make it. Naturally, they called this mutant tea pot a chocolate pot. The pots featured a wooden or ceramic handle for pouring as well as a whisk for frothing the milk, cocoa, and sugar. Some chocolate pots even came with a set of matching cups. (Photo & history lesson via The Neo-Victorian Parlour)

It’s the week before Thanksgiving, which means it’s time to start thinking about gifts your kids can make to give to their friends and family this Christmas.

I came across this yummy recipe for a hot cocoa mix buried in a comment chain on some random cooking chat board* earlier this fall. It makes vats and vats of mix, which means your kids can make enough to give to everybody — even themselves.

Enjoy!

Rich & Creamy Cocoa Mix

Making the Cocoa Mix

Ingredients:

• 25.6 oz box of nonfat dry instant milk
• 2 lbs Nestle quick chocolate milk
• 1 lb powdered sugar
• 8 oz powdered creamer
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 cups cocoa powder

Instructions:

• Mix everything up in several very large bowls.

Drinking Your Cocoa:

• Fill one-third of your cup with mix and add enough hot water to fill the mug.

Giving Away Your Cocoa:

You’ll need:

• A spoon
• Mug or two for testing
• Your prepared mix
• One 1-pint jar for each gift recipient
• Wide-mouth funnel (or coffee filter)
• 1/4 cup measuring scoop
• A large airtight container to store any leftover mix

Instructions:

1. 1. Use the spoon to fill one-third of your mug with mix and add enough hot water to fill it.
   2. Drink your hot chocolate.
   3. Once you like the hot chocolate, pour your remaining dry mix into 1-pint jars with tight-fitting lids. To avoid making a mess, use a 1/4-cup measuring scoop to pour the mix through a wide-mouth funnel.
   4. Seal the jars tightly.
   5. Pour the leftover mix, if you have any, into an airtight container for storage.

Optional: Decorating Your Gift Jars

You’ll Need:

• Fabric in festive holiday patterns
• Matching ribbons or raffia
• Small salad plate to use as a template
• Pencil or fabric marker
• Scissors
• Gift tags
• Printouts of the ingredient list and instructions for making the hot cocoa
• Optional add-ons, like candy canes or small wooden spoons

Instructions:

1. Place the fabric face down on your table.
2. Use the small salad plate and the pencil or fabric marker to trace several 7 to 8 inch circles on the fabric.
3. Cut out your fabric circles.
4. Drape the fabric over the top of the jar.
5. Tie the fabric around the jar with a bit of raffia or ribbon.
6. Slip the gift tag onto the ribbon or raffia before tying the bow.
   
7. If you’d like to include a little extra something with your cocoa, cinnamon sticks and a little wooden spoon would look very cute tied to the jar next to your gift tag.

Related Links:

• • DIY Hot Cocoa Mix & Marshmallows (52 Kitchen Adventures)
  • The Very Best Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix (Something Swanky)
  • Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix & Snowman Soup Kits (Southern Plate)
  • Our Family’s Favorite Semi-Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix (One Good Thing)

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