Monday, December 19, 2011

Hot Chocolate & a Mason Jar Cozy

Alright, I know I said I'd be MIA for a bit while we take our little trip, but I couldn't resist scheduling this post to go out today while I continue to remain unplugged.  Why today?  Well, I couldn't post this before now because we gave these away as gifts and I didn't want to spoil the surprise!  But since they've all (but one) been officially given out (Brother, if you're reading this, STOP.  Thanks.), I figured I'd share this super yummy, super easy and super fun last minute gift idea...

Now really...can you think of anyone you know who doesn't like hot chocolate?  Right!



In layers, add to two pint sized mason jars:
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/3 cups powdered milk
  • 1 2/3 cups chocolate chips
  • 2 ground up candy canes (use your food processor)
  • marshmallows (enough to fill up each jar - optional)


Make a little label with the directions:
  • Take out the marshmallows and put them to the side to add to the top of your hot cocoa later.
  • In a large saucepan, combine the contents of jar with 1 2/3 cups of water.
  • Heat and stir over medium heat until hot & chocolate pieces have melted.
  • Pour into two mugs
  • Add marshmallows


Notes:
  • The recipe calls for minty chocolate chips, which I have never been able to find...hence, the ground up candy canes
  • If tightly sealed, this will keep for 6 weeks in a cool place
  • The marshmallows may get a little hard, depending on how long you store them, but tend to soften up once added to the hot yumminess :-)

Fish Girl taught herself how to crochet these nifty little cozies for mason jars after seeing one her friend had at school a few weeks ago, so I asked her to teach me and she did!  It's pretty cool to have your daughter teach you how to do things :-)  I'll have to save the tutorial for another time, but as an alternative for now you can simply tie a ribbon or some raffia around your jar of yumminess to dress it up a bit :-)



I hope you are enjoying your week!

xoxo,
M

Linking up to Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways #56
& Seasonal Celebration Wednesday

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7 comments:

  1. kelliDecember 20, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    oh, i LOVE these!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bee GirlDecember 23, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    Kelli - They're SO MUCH fun, super easy & only take about 30 minutes each! I'll post a little tutorial at some point soon :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ngo Family FarmDecember 24, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    These are so fantastic! And the cozies just make it all the more awesome. I'm definitely doing this next year :) Thanks for sharing, and hope you're having a wondferful holiday!
    -Jaime

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bee GirlDecember 26, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Jaime - Thanks! I have found so many great ideas I'll be using next year as well :-) I'm thinking I might have to start Christmas prep in April or May though so I don't kill myself in December, though ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Natural Mothers NetworkDecember 12, 2012 at 4:31 AM

    Hi MelissaI really love your post! It's the perfect Christmas gift! I think our readers would really enjoy reading this. I would love for you to come share it at Seasonal Celebration I really hope that you will put Seasonal Celebration on your list of carnivals to visit and link to us every Wednesday!
    http://naturalmothersnetwork.com/
    Rebecca x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jan HunnicuttDecember 12, 2012 at 8:52 AM

    What a great post, awesome Christmas gift ideas too! I linked over from Seasonal Celebration =)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Natural Mothers NetworkDecember 17, 2012 at 4:52 AM

    Melissa thank you so much for joining us at Seasonal Celebration. I very much hope you'll pop by this Wednesday to share with our Holiday Seasonal Celebration! Rebecca x

    ReplyDelete

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