clickinmyheels

Where we live, it is bitterly cold in the winter and the cold months seem to long outlast the warm summer months. I’m used to it, it’s all I’ve ever known. I actually don’t mind the cold and snow to a certain extent. After the long never-ending and record-breaking snowfall last winter in our area, I was ready to pack up and head to the sunny beach and live in a hut if needed, but honestly I know I’d miss the cold. I’d miss the snow and the magic you see on your child’s face as the first snow starts to fall. This year, that first snow came falling down on Halloween and now a few weeks later and only a week and a half before Thanksgiving, we have at least a few inches of the white stuff on the ground. There’s more coming down and the bitterly cold below wind chill winds blowing in our faces. Of course, the girls wanted to play in the snow after school. No snow angels today, girls – it’s way too cold out there! How about I make you some hot chocolate while you do your homework? That always brings smiles to their faces!

I remember as a kid, my brothers, cousins and nearby neighbors and I would play in the snow all day on snow days or weekends. We were out there for hours, building forts, and having snowball wars. I was creating pretend food and playing house in our little snow forts not minding the cold, even though my cheeks were bright red and chapped. My mom always had homemade hot chocolate mix in an old gallon ice cream container. After our long days of playing in the snow, mom would make us some hot chocolate to help warm us up. A few years ago, I began making my own version of hot chocolate mix. I found a great recipe on Pinterest and I’ve altered it a bit, but it’s a great starting point for a good mix. One reason why I love the mix is that it saves you a lot of money. Those little packets and containers of store bought hot chocolate mix add up fast and don’t really last long with multiple hot chocolate lovers in the house. This mix can be adjusted to your taste and is definitely a money saver! I originally found this recipe on Pinterest at PenniesonaPlatter.com. She started out as a blog which grew and grew and last year changed the name to Seededatthetable.com. I love her site. It inspires me. She’s a mom of two little boys, she’s a wife, mother and learning and growing as she goes. Her organization, flow, personal narrative, little stories and sincere posts are inspiring.  Hopefully one day my little blog can grow into something like that. Go check out her site, but please come back to mine too. I’m trying, I promise!

 

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Ingredients:

1 1/2 C cocoa powder unsweetened. I used 1 C regular unsweetened cocoa powder and 1/2 C dark unsweetened cocoa powder.

2 C powdered sugar

3 C nonfat instant dry milk

1 1/2 C white chocolate chips

1/4 teas Kosher salt

1 C semi sweet or milk chocolate chips or use dark chocolate if you prefer 

1 bag Mini marshmallows if desired. I think it’s better to have these separate so you have more room in your container for the hot chocolate mix. I just add in a few to each mug. 

 

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine ingredients except for marshmallows until mixed.

Transfer to a food processor mixing a cup or so at a time. After mixing in small batches in the food processor, transfer to another large bowl. Gently mix in the marshmallows, or just keep these separate and save for when you make each cup of hot chocolate. 

Transfer mix to an airtight storage container.

To make hot chocolate, mix in 1/3 C of mix with warm milk or part warm water, part warm milk in a mug. Top with a few more marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, a dusting of cocoa powder if desired.

Mix it up: You can easily swap out the white chocolate chips for mint or peppermint bark or chips. You can mix in dark chocolate chips or really anything you like. Mix in more or less dark chocolate depending on your preference.

Recipe adapted from Seededaetthetable.com

Enjoy!