Monday, October 7, 2013

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

My kids came home from school today and they were FREEZING.  Hot chocolate was immediately what they wanted to have to help warm them up.  It's what they request after a hard day of sledding and playing in the snow, and it's clearly what is needed for the brittle drive home from school....60 degrees. 

Problem.  Ain't got no cocoa mix.

Solution.  The internet knows what I need.  I have heard tale of putting powdered milk in homemade cocoa mix, and as I happen to have some powdered milk, I wanted to use it.  Thankfully I found Alton Brown's cocoa recipe.  Click here for the delicious recipe I based my own recipe off of, and know it was just what I needed.  Minus the cayenne pepper.  I was sure my children would revolt at that one.

At first I wasn't going to post the ingredient proportions I had used, out of respect for Alton's recipe, then upon further inspection on the web, this recipe is out there in many forms, so here's my unapologetic version of it.

Homemade Cocoa Mix
1 cup Cocoa Powder
2 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
3 Cups Powdered Milk
1 tsp. Kosher Salt
2 tsp. Cornstarch

Combine all the above ingredients in bowl and mix well.  Store in air tight container.


My my, isn't the powdered milk extremely...yellow.  I don't use it very often, so I was quite surprised.  One of the things I liked about this recipe is that it uses powdered sugar.  Seems to me that would dissolve much more nicely than granulated sugar.  I didn't have the Dutch Processed Cocoa Alton recommends.  Ooops!  Regular works great!

I'm on a bit of a get ready for Christmas kick today, but looking at this lovely cocoa mix, I am thinking if you gussied it up, it would make such a nice Christmas present for your neighbors.  Gonna keep that in mind myself.

It takes about 3 largish spoonfuls of mix to water ratio.  I never warm my girls' water up too hot.  Don't need a lawsuit on my hands similar to that coffee incident many years ago.  My kids are so litigious. 

The sad thing is, they didn't love Alton's version.  It has a very deep chocolate flavor.  I did like it, so I consider it a success.  I am altering it and making it more kid friendly by adding some more powdered milk and powdered sugar, both, and the proportions I ultimately used are listed above.  This gives it a more milk chocolate flavor vs. dark chocolate.  They did gobble up the marshmallows and then headed back out into the frigid wasteland known as Fall and commence trying to sell my neighbors pieces of beef jerky, one jerky piece for a dollar.  I definitely owe my neighbors some yummy cocoa mix this year.

I am expecting them back in any moment needing a way to warm themselves up....luckily I've got the solution right here in my cup.

Thanks for reading!

Shared here:
Mellywood's Mansion


Heather

13 comments:

  1. Yum, I want to make some, I bet it would be cheaper than the big tin of milo I buy every week pinned!

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  2. YUMO is what comes to mind reading this and I will print it and give er a whirl my friend. LOVE IT ALL SISTER ..HUGS and thanks for sharing this wonderful VISION of goodness LOL > HUGS have a blessed OCT

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  3. Haha! Doens't his recipe also have cinnamon in it? Remember our camping trip this summer? Yep, that's what I used and then had to throw away because no one liked it. Your recipe sounds better. I will be making it for sure.

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  4. I'm intrigued Heather...I think I'll give this a try. The only thing I might do is add some vanilla sugar to it. Somehow I always think cocoa needs a little vanilla! It's almost cocoa time here thanks for this timely post!

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  5. I'm always looking for a good ho-made cuppa hot chocolate.. ;) And it IS starting to get chilly. Unless you're Mel and you live on the other side of the planet.

    -andi

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  6. Your posts are so enjoyable to read. I love that you made your own cocoa mix. I've never used powdered milk before. I'll have to search the aisles of the grocery store for some. I like the idea of making my own. Hope the beef jerky sales went well :)

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  7. Gotta love Alton. He saved me on an omelet once too. :)

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  8. Hi Heather,
    I keep thinking I need to make up some hot cocoa mix then I forget, then my BF buys those little packs I really don't care much for. I think I need to try this--the darker chocolate style for me, too. And I'm with Danni about chocolate is better with a bit of vanilla,
    My kids would probably have thrown their hot chocolate at me if I put cayenne in it--and then I would have to sue them, because I'm the one that's litigious! Ok, maybe not, but it just sounds fun to say litigious:) Your posts always make me laugh, thank you for that:)

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  9. I think if you make it with milk for your kids (even though it has powdered milk) it will have a more "milk chocolate" flavor.

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    1. Hmmmm, I think you are onto something there. I will give it a try next time and see what they think. I've already messed with my mix. Good thinking though!

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  10. I've been looking for a hot chocolate recipe and really thankful that you put this one in Mel's party. Pinned

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  11. YUM!!!!!! I need me some now - its cold here!

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  12. I hope it snows soon. This Hot cocoa recipe would hit the spot!!! I know everybody will shoot me for that comment but I do love winter and hot chocolate!

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Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Love ya! XOXOXO

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