Homemade "Instant" Hot Cocoa Mix

(February 15, 2007)
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Reece asked Lauren:

We have a house upstate and take the kids there almost every weekend. We have wonderful neighbors. One family, in particular, is so hospitable and is always offering to tend to our house in the event of an electrical outage, etc., when we are not there. I would like to repay them for their kindness and I thought you would have a recipe that would be meaningful and would convey our appreciation. Thanks for your time.

Lauren says...

For me, the very first recipe that comes to mind, is my Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix, which can be made (by you) and enjoyed (by them) all throughout the winter. I suggest you also make a batch for yourself, too, since your kids will just love it. Enjoy!!

Homemade "Instant" Hot Cocoa Mix

Yield: enough dry mix for about 18 mugs of hot cocoa

Have you ever met a kid who didn't welcome a hefty mug of rich hot cocoa on a chilly morning or after a day in the snow? For those of you that wonder what "real" difference it makes to use a homemade mix instead of a store-bought one, I urge you to try this recipe. When you choose to use a bit of down time to make this dry concoction, in bulk, the benefits are not just limited to enhanced taste. For me, the biggest benefit has always been the nurturing "take away" as a parent, which is far greater than when tearing open a packet of those commercially prepared mixes (complete with dehydrated marshmallows, resembling space-rocks). So, if you have children or neighbors who have children, now's the time to whisk, sift and store this terrific cocoa mix and make sure to stop and take notice at how different it feels, when you hear those wonderful words "This is so delicious!" Also, if you have friends who go skiing often, this cocoa mix makes a fabulous gift.

Special Equipment:


• Large triple-mesh wire sieve
• 5-quart canister, preferably airtight

For the Cocoa Mix:


• 3 cups Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 ½ cups superfine sugar
• 6 ½ cups dry nonfat milk
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• 1 to 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (optional)

For One Mug of Hot Cocoa:


• 1/3 cup Mom's Hot Cocoa Mix (use a bit more or less, depending on your desire for richness)
• 1 ½ cups boiling water or very hot milk, half and half or cream, or use a combination
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Suggested Garnishes:


• Cinnamon sticks, for stirring
• Whipped cream (or pulverize a few hard peppermint candies and fold them into whipped cream with a bit of pink food coloring and then sprinkle the top with some more peppermint candy that's been cracked into coarser pieces.)
• OR Big Marshmallows OR Shaved bittersweet or semisweet chocolate ((use a vegetable peeler) mini chocolate chips and a few mini marshmallows

1) To assemble the mix: Whisk together all of the dry ingredients in a 6-quart bowl. Sift mixture through a large triple-mesh sieve into another bowl and then sift back into the original bowl. Store in an airtight 4- to 5-quart canister.

2) To make a mug of hot cocoa: Place 1/3 cup of the dry mix into a mug. (Use less mix for a smaller cup.) Fill the mug with boiling water, milk, half and half or cream (or use a combination). Add vanilla and stir well, with a cinnamon stick, if using. Top with any of the suggested garnishes. If serving to young children, you might want to stir in a bit of cold milk just to take some of the heat off.

Note: To shave chocolate, if using, run a regular vegetable peeler across a block of firm bittersweet or semisweet chocolate. Depending on the width of the chocolate you're shaving, you will either get long curls or a fine dusting. Both are delicious. Store any extras in an airtight container.

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Questions for Lauren Groveman's Kitchen:

Lauren Groveman recipes have been featured in many national magazines and local newspapers. Her books "The I love to Cook Book: Rediscovering the Joy of Cooking for Family and Friends" and "Lauren Groveman's Kitchen, Nurturing Food for Family and Friends" are available through Amazon.com.

For in depth information on Lauren Groveman as a writer, teacher, TV & radio host, as well as her recipes and cooking tips visit her website at www.laurengroveman.com

Lauren is a Larchmont resident. She is happily married and blessed with three wonderful children.