Hot cocoa is a real treat in our household, and I’ve found that it is so simple and easy to make your own mix! Plus, Emily thinks this is a super-fun activity! We went the all organic route, but you certainly don’t have to.
To make your own peppermint hot cocoa mix, you will need:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup + 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder (one 4.4 oz container will have enough for one batch plus about 1/2 cup leftover)
5 candy canes
Place candy canes in a plastic zipper bag, and close most of the way. Pound the bejesus out of those suckers!
Emily’s little rolling pin did a great job, but then Mark took the bag over to the garage. I’m not *quite* sure what he did, but the candy canes came back as a fine powder!!
It sure was fun watching Emily, though!
Next, to the powdered sugar, add the (unsweetened) cocoa powder, then the crushed (pulverized..??) candy canes.
Stir, stir, stir! Make sure your mix is well-blended. There’s nothing worse than poorly stirred hot cocoa mix. Trust me on this.
Spoon into air-tight containers.
To make hot cocoa:
To 1 cup warm milk, add 1 1/2 – 2 Tbsp. mix.
Mmmm…. delicious and so festive!
November 30th, 2009 on 9:12 pm
Dear Valerie,
Did I run it over with the car? Perhaps ground them down with a bench grinder?
No. None of these. I crushed them with an icy cold glare. They did not stand a chance. It's one of those things you pick up from being a dad — stink eye can crush even the strongest of things.
Love,
Mark
November 30th, 2009 on 9:59 pm
LOL Mark, that is hilarious. I think my DH is right there with you with the stare than can crush candy canes.
This looks delicious! I love hot cocoa!
November 30th, 2009 on 10:03 pm
Sounds awesome. Thanks for the instructions.
November 30th, 2009 on 10:51 pm
mmmm delicious!
November 30th, 2009 on 10:53 pm
Great recipe! We've got one that adds in powdered creamer and evaporated milk.
For the candy canes, drop em in a food processor. That's how I crush mine when we make peppermint bark!
November 30th, 2009 on 11:08 pm
HAHA Mark! Can you teach me the stink glare??
Love the Idea Valerie and looks great too, Lu and I will have to make it!
November 30th, 2009 on 11:26 pm
@ Heather — That is a great idea! But… is it as much fun as beating the crap out of them with a small rolling pin?? I need to know.
November 30th, 2009 on 11:29 pm
@ Mark — Oh Dear God. Not the stink eye! You know what happened the last time you used the stink eye…. That poor turkey that exploded in the oven. *sigh* And the mess we had to clean up afterwards! You really need to be more careful about that. Don't go using "stink eye" all willy nilly, ok?
November 30th, 2009 on 11:50 pm
Sounds really good and looks really fun!
December 1st, 2009 on 12:09 am
Mmmmmm Looks delicious I so have to make that. She is the cutest little cook
December 1st, 2009 on 12:20 am
Oh, yum. Will have to try making this with the kids during break. I can just see them trying to bang the crap out of the candy canes and then if that fails trying to employ Mark's stink eye.
December 1st, 2009 on 12:57 am
LOL Mark
I love this, it would make an awesome Christmas gift!
December 1st, 2009 on 1:51 am
Cant wait to try it! I am going to make it with the girls, this week
I love hot chocolate with peppermint!
December 1st, 2009 on 3:41 am
Yummy! I will definitely be trying this with the kiddos and if my kids have half the fun your daughter is having
then I know they will love it too.. 
December 1st, 2009 on 6:10 am
you are not only so crafty… but so very smart too! I love this idea and I am running with it!!!
December 1st, 2009 on 6:39 am
Great photo tutorial, and Mark, you are hilarious, you sound just like my guy.
Does your daughter make those joyous expressions all on her own or do you prompt her?
It seem that I get two responses once I start taking pictures: total disinterest and "I'm not smiling".
December 1st, 2009 on 8:07 am
Yum! What a great gift idea for the neighbor!
December 1st, 2009 on 8:29 am
That sounds delicious.
December 1st, 2009 on 9:50 am
Oh that sounds yummy and it would make such a lovely to gift too.
December 1st, 2009 on 9:57 am
@Valerie
Oh yes, the turkey. It was still tasty at least! And remember that "unbreakable" comb?
Good times.
December 1st, 2009 on 9:58 am
@Sherry
Sorry, I can't teach stink eye. It is bestowed by fatherhood.
December 1st, 2009 on 10:15 am
Mmm, sounds yummy! Would make a great gift idea too!
December 1st, 2009 on 10:23 am
COOL! I'll have to do this with my kiddos! Thanks!
Amy
December 1st, 2009 on 11:42 am
hahahaha, pues aunque Mark diga que no a mi fué lo primero que se me ocurrió, que había pasado encima con el coche!! XDDDDDDDD
(Valerie, tienes que dejar que Mark haga un post cada cierto tiempo porque tiene una gracia contando las cosas que está genial!
)
Un besito para los cuatro :*
December 1st, 2009 on 1:28 pm
Sounds yummy! I so love homemade hot chocolate.
December 2nd, 2009 on 2:51 pm
Thanks for the recipe! Lu (my allergic daughter) can mix this into her soy milk! I've stayed away from hot chocolate because all the commercial stuff has milk or just too many chemicals in it.
December 3rd, 2009 on 3:26 pm
This is a great & simple recipe. I just bought some of those organic candy canes and we love hot chocolate. (It's hard to find a good organic recipe so thank you!)
December 3rd, 2009 on 8:17 pm
I'm going to try this for sure, just as soon as my peppermint chocolate mix runs out. Cause I got my tin for a gift and got sticker shock when I saw how much it is!
December 3rd, 2009 on 10:40 pm
Hey it's Katie again, just wanted to pop on by and tell you I added this to tomorrow's post on making treats with kids. Thanks!
December 5th, 2009 on 11:05 pm
I am going to have to make that. Yum!
December 9th, 2009 on 12:18 am
Ohmigosh…YUM!