Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Mix

I've been making hot cocoa from scratch for a few years now because it's really as easy as placing equal amounts of good cocoa powder, sugar, a pinch of salt, and a little hot water in the bottom of a mug, stirring to a paste, adding milk, and microwaving for 1 minute 40 seconds. This way, I know all of the ingredients going into it, and it's inexpensive compared to powdered mixes.

At any rate, last year I realized that if I wanted my favorite peppermint hot cocoa, I could either pay Williams Sonoma a ridiculous amount for their delicious hot chocolate, or I could figure out my own. I tried pulverizing some leftover candy canes and subbing that for the sugar I normally use, and to my actual surprise, it worked great.

So this year, I've decided to make it easier on myself and pre-mix the cocoa powder and candy cane dust. I've also decided to share it with anyone who also wants to enjoy delicious peppermint hot cocoa at home.

You're welcome.

Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Mix

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups candy cane powder/crumbs (approx. 24 peppermint candy canes)
• 1/4 cup broken candy cane pieces
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups dark cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

Using a food processor or a gallon size freezer bag and a rolling pin, pulverize the candy canes until they are mostly a powder. You should get approximately 1 1/2 cups of candy cane powder/crumbs.

In a medium size bowl, add the candy cane powder, cocoa powder and salt. (If you like your hot cocoa sweeter, use the smaller amount of cocoa powder.) Mix with a whisk.

Store in mason jars or other airtight container(s).

For extra sweetness and mintiness, you can coarsely crush about 4 more candy canes and add to the mix. The basic recipe here is somewhat flexible.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups of mix.

Directions for the actual cocoa below:


Candy Cane Hot Cocoa

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons candy cane hot cocoa mix
• 1 tablespoon hot water
• 8 oz milk (whichever kind you prefer)

Instructions:

Put the hot water and cocoa mix into a mug and stir until cocoa is dissolved into the water. You may have some unmelted bits of candy cane left at this point.

Pour milk into the mug, stir, and microwave on high for 1 minute 40 seconds. (Alternately, heat up the milk before adding it to the mug.)

Stir and enjoy, taking care to not burn your mouth.

I used a food processor to crush the candy canes.

Cocoa mix added to the water.

Milk gets added to the paste.

Not my best photography work, but you get the idea...