A Really Easy, Last-Minute Gift
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Looking for a way to spread some holiday cheer? Make your own hot chocolate gift mix with homemade hot cocoa and sweet honey marshmallows. It’s an easy and delicious gift for teachers, friends, and neighbors!
Download the Tags: Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Printable Labels
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups 53% cacao dark chocolate morsels
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup instant nonfat dry milk
2/3 cup dark unsweetened cocoa
Preparation
1. Stir together dark chocolate morsels, sugar, instant nonfat dry milk, and cocoa; spoon into 1 (2-qt.) jar. Store at room temperature up to 1 month.
2. To make homemade hot cocoa: Heat 1 cup milk to 180°; stir in 1/4 cup Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix. Makes 1 serving. Total 5 min.
3. Package the cocoa mix in: Weck 17.9-oz. Juice Jar ($4.95; crateandbarrel.com)
See more: 12 Easy Food Gifts for Christmas
Honey Marshmallows
Ingredients
3 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
1 vanilla bean
1 (16-oz.) bottle orange blossom honey
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Preparation
1. Sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water in bowl of a heavy-duty electric stand mixer. Split vanilla bean, and scrape seeds into a 4 1/2-qt. saucepan. Stir in honey, granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup water. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat (about 3 minutes).
2. Uncover and boil, stirring often, until syrup thickens and a candy thermometer registers 240° (about 8 to 12 minutes; lower heat if needed to prevent mixture from boiling over).
3. Gradually add honey mixture to gelatin mixture, beating at low speed, using whisk attachment, 30 seconds or until blended. Increase speed to high; beat 10 to 12 minutes or until mixture cools and is thick but still pourable. (Cover with a towel to prevent splattering.)
4. Whisk together cornstarch and powdered sugar. Dust a buttered 13- x 9-inch baking dish with 1 Tbsp. cornstarch mixture. Pour gelatin mixture into dish; smooth with lightly greased spatula. Dust with 1 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch mixture. Cover remaining cornstarch mixture tightly; reserve.
5. Let marshmallow mixture stand, uncovered, in a cool, dry place 8 to 14 hours or until no longer sticky. Invert onto a cutting board; cut into squares. Toss in reserved cornstarch mixture to coat. Store in an airtight container at room temperature 2 weeks.
Buy This: Gien Filets Noel Mug ($56; tableideas.com)
Package Them In: Weck 17.9-oz. Juice Jar ($4.95; crateandbarrel.com)
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