Countdown To Christmas & GIVEAWAY - Day 9 Joyeux Noel Hot Cocoa Bar

Tis the season where gathering and making merry are part of the joy! And one of the things that brings great joy to young and old alike is a great cup of hot cocoa! I thought it would be a wonderful addition to our kitchen this winter make sure that whenever a member of the household or a guest is craving this delightful beverage, they have all the fixings for the perfect cup of cocoa.

First we have to start off with a delcious Hot Cocoa recipe, and I found a great one on the FoodNetwork site by my favorite chef, Alton Brown:

Ingredients

2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup cocoa (Dutch-process preferred)
2 1/2 cups powdered milk
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
Hot water

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and incorporate evenly. The ratio of mix to water is about 1 Tbs of cocoa to 2 ounces of hot water or milk. So for an 8 oz mug you need 1/4 cup of the mix.

Heat appropriate amount of water for number of servings desired.

Fill your mug half full with the mixture and pour in hot water. Stir to combine. Seal the rest of the mix in an airtight container, keeps indefinitely in the pantry.

I left out the cayenne pepper because for the hot cocoa bar I wanted the users to be able to flavor their cocoa they way they wanted! The additions on the cocoa bar are crushed peppermints sticks, cinnamon, mini-chocolate chips and of course marshmallows!

So of course half the fun of having a cocoa bar is the decorating of the containers, and the Joyeux Noel collection is perfect for a project like this!

Just start trimming, and wrapping each of the jars in the different papers to give it a beautiful vintage mix and match feel. Like each piece has been collected or handed down as a family treasure.

Here is the marshmallow jar!

I feel like Santa is endorsing the use of a few extras with the wink ;)

I prefer the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, when you put them in with the mix and stir while the water is still hot it melts them and they add that extra kick of chocolately happiness!

And it seems completely reasonable to pop a few right into your mouth while the lid is off!

The crushed peppermint was done with a tiny food processor, I just peeled the whole box of candy canes at once and hit grind! It smells so good and it tastes even better!

And I wanted to share my handwriting up close and personal. It isn't perfect, but that is the point, it is supposed to be you!

This is a really easy project to make, and all you need is the jars from your kitchen cupboard. And as a gift idea, I don't know anyone who wouldn't appreciate the thoughtfulness of a gift set like this!

I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

B-

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Doesn't that look amazingly yummy? Thanks for sharing, Becky!

Next, onto our sweet GIVEAWAY today!!!

And here's what YOU can do for a chance to win:

Join Ruby Rock-It's Christmas Countdown (RRBF Facebook page), tons of goodies to win just in time for the holidays. All you have to do 'like' our Facebook page, then 'share' it with a friend and have them 'like' it too and say "insert your name" sent me.

Best of luck, and Happy Crafting!

Erin Yamabe

6 Comments

Cool idea for chocolate lovers, cute jars ... Merry Christmas :)

Posted by: Beckie D | 12/23/2012 at 12:48 AM

YUM YUM - what a pretty and tasty set Becky - definitely fun for your whole family and very welcoming for guests too!!!
Wishing you, your family and all the Ruby Rock-It Team a very Merry Christmas, Good Health and Happines for 2013 :)

Posted by: TracyM #6773 | 12/23/2012 at 02:25 AM