Make Ahead Hot Cocoa Mix Food

MAKE AHEAD HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with powdered milk.
• Using a fine-mesh strainer, add cocoa powder to dry milk powder. Using the strainer will help to make sure that there are no lumps in the cocoa powder.
• Add salt to the bowl.
• Add arrowroot powder to the bowl, if using.
• Using a small grinder or blender, grind the sugar into a powdered form.
• Add the "powdered" sugar to the bowl.
• Mix all ingredients together very well using a whisk until fully incorporated.
• Transfer the hot chocolate mix to a quart-sized jar to store. The shelf life of the mix will be approximately two years if you used non-fat powdered milk. The shelf life will be decreased to six months to one year if you used full-fat whole milk powder.
• GIFT IDEA: You can put 1/4 cup of the hot chocolate mix into a 4-ounce jar and top it off with marshmallows to make small little gifts or party favors. (See video.)
• TO RECONSTITUTE: To prepare your hot chocolate, add 1/4 cup of the mix to a mug and add approximately 8 ounces of boiling hot water or hot milk to the mug. Stir vigorously for about 60 seconds until the mixture is completely dissolved. Top with marshmallows, if you wish. Enjoy!

HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine sugar, cocoa, and salt, and whisk to combine well. Store the mixture in an airtight container.
• For individual servings, pour 1 cup whole milk into a microwave-safe mug, and microwave on high just until hot. Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa mix, and stir to dissolve. For a larger batch of cocoa, warm the milk in a saucepan set over medium-low heat, taking care not to let the milk boil; as it warms, stir in 2 tablespoons of mix for each cup of milk.

HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine sugar, cocoa, and salt, and whisk to combine well. Store the mixture in an airtight container.
• For individual servings, pour 1 cup whole milk into a microwave-safe mug, and microwave on high just until hot. Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa mix, and stir to dissolve. For a larger batch of cocoa, warm the milk in a saucepan set over medium-low heat, taking care not to let the milk boil; as it warms, stir in 2 tablespoons of mix for each cup of milk.

HOT COCOA MIX IN A JAR

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and mix until well blended.
• Spoon into Mason jars or a glass container.
• Use 3 Tablespoons hot cocoa mix to 1 cup hot water or milk.
• If you want a peppermint hot cocoa, add 1 teaspoon mint extract (or to taste) to hot chocolate. Top with optional whipped cream and/or marshmallows, or add a splash of heavy cream to your mug.

DIY HOT COCOA MIX

Steps:

• In a large airtight container, mix the first 5 ingredients. If desired, stir in marshmallows and chocolate chips. Store in a cool, dry place up to 6 months., To prepare hot cocoa: Place 1/3 cup mix in a mug. Stir in hot milk until blended.

HOT CHOCOLATE BOMBS

Steps:

• Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 minute; stir. Microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until chocolate is melted and smooth, 1-2 minutes longer. Chocolate should not exceed 90°. , Add 1 tablespoon melted chocolate into a silicone sphere-shaped mold (2-1/2-in. diameter). Brush melted chocolate evenly inside molds, all the way to edges, rewarming melted chocolate as needed. Refrigerate molds until chocolate is set, 3-5 minutes. Brush a thin second layer of chocolate in molds. Refrigerate until set, 8-10 minutes. Place remaining melted chocolate into a piping bag fitted with a small round decorating tip; set aside., Remove chocolate spheres from molds. In a medium bowl, whisk together baking cocoa, milk powder and confectioners' sugar. Place 3 tablespoons cocoa mixture into half the chocolate spheres. Top with 1 tablespoon marshmallow bits. , Pipe a small amount of melted chocolate on edges of remaining spheres; carefully adhere to filled halves, pressing lightly to seal, using additional melted chocolate if necessary. If desired, decorate with optional ingredients. Refrigerate until set. Store in a tightly sealed container., To prepare hot chocolate: Place hot chocolate bomb in a mug; add 1 cup warm milk and stir to dissolve.

HOMEMADE HOT COCOA

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt. Add water; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in milk; heat to serving temperature (do not boil). Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Whisk until frothy. If desired, garnish with marshmallows, cream or cinnamon sticks.