Hot Cocoa Mix with Options

This year I set out to make some hot cocoa mix to give away as gifts for the holidays. I wanted to make something different then plain hot cocoa. I like plain hot cocoa, but thought it would be fun to try something new.

I searched around the internet for ideas and found some ideas. I wrote down what I liked and skipped what I didn't want and continued to search. After a lot of scribbling notes and searching I came up with my own plan and created these recipes.

I wanted a basic recipe that would allow me to make simple changes or additions to it and create different flavored mixes. And that is what I ended up making and will be sharing with you today.

First thing to do is make the basic hot cocoa mix. I tried 2 different variations and liked them both. You can pick whichever one you'd like or try them both and see what you think.

I got a few mixing bowls out and got busy. I found that the cocoa powder can sometimes be a bit lumpy as well as powdered sugar. You can use a whisk to mix the lumps out, you can put it through a strainer or sifter or put it all in a food processor to mix well. I chose to use a whisk or a strainer. 

Hot Cocoa Basic Mix #1

1 ½ cups sugar

1 cup non-dairy creamer

1 cup powdered milk

¾ cup cocoa powder

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Add 3 to 4 T per cup of boiling water (or to taste).

Hot Cocoa Basic Mix #2

2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup cocoa powder

2 cups powdered milk

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Add 3 to 4 T (or amount to taste) per cup of boiling water.

Now that you have the basic mix it's time to make some yummy flavored mixes.

The first one I made was: 

Peppermint Crunch Hot Cocoa Mix

You'll need:

Hot cocoa mix

Andes Peppermint Crunch

You can find the peppermint crunch in the baking aisle with the chocolate chips:

The basic proportions are:

2 cups basic hot cocoa mix (either #1 or #2 will work)

1 cup candies or flavored chips

Combine 2 cups of your mix with the Andes Peppermint Crunch and you are done. 

Toffee Hot Cocoa Mix

Same principle as above.

2 cups mix with 1 cup Heath Toffee pieces (found in the baking aisle with the chocolate chips).

This bag of toffee is 8oz. It measured out to be a little over 1 cup. I added the whole bag to my cocoa mix.

Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

2 cups hot cocoa mix

1 cup chocolate chips

Combine well in a large bowl.

The options are really endless. You can add any type of baking chips you would like, mint, white chocolate, etc. You can also use peppermint candies that have been crushed in place in the Andes Peppermint Crunch.

The final type of hot cocoa I tried was:

French Vanilla

To make this I decided to first make vanilla sugar. I did this very simply. I added 1t vanilla to 2 cups of sugar.  I used some homemade vanilla and the little black bits you see are the vanilla bean.  I mixed it all well, spread it out on a jelly roll pan and let it dry for an hour or so.  

After it dried it was a little brittle so I broke it up and ran it through my food processor.  

I used this sugar to make the Basic Hot Cocoa Mix #1

My thoughts on this when I was done and had taste tested it:

It did not have a real strong vanilla taste to it. It made a rich and delicious tasting cup of hot cocoa, but it didn't scream “french vanilla” to me.

My thoughts on what I would try next time:

Substitute french vanilla non dairy coffee creamer for the plain coffee creamer. For sure this will give you that flavor.

If you want a more natural flavor (which is what I was going for), I would try doubling or even tripling the amount of vanilla when making the vanilla sugar.

I would try this again, except I have a LOT of hot cocoa right now. Ha, ha!! :) and many more projects to move onto. I'll try this again next year. However if any of you try either of these options for to make some french vanilla hot cocoa mix, please let me know what you did and what you thought of it.

Of course I taste tested these mixes that I made and was happy with all of them (other than the french vanilla as I just mentioned). I put them in canning jars and labeled them so they are all ready for friends and gift baskets now.