Quick Gift Idea: Hot Chocolate Mix

 

There isn't a more thoughtful or lovely gift than one that's homemade. Especially when it happens to be so much better than the store-bought version. Take this recipe for homemade hot chocolate mix for example. Unlike its gray hued, sickly sweet, and mostly tasteless store-bought counterpart, this recipe produces a rich, deeply chocolate, and wonderfully spiced cup of cocoa. 

Hot Chocolate Mix

Yield: 2 1/4 cups

From Country Living

• 3/4 cup quality unsweetened cocoa, such as Valrhona
• 6 ounces quality semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoons ground clove

Place all ingredients in a food processor fitted with a metal blade and process just until mixture is powdery -- about 30 seconds. Be careful not to overprocess. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. To make hot chocolate, combine 1 cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of this mix in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until chocolate is incorporated and mixture is warmed through. Serve immediately.