Beverages · Holidays · New Favorite

Fireside Coffee Mix

Curling up by the fire with a good cup of coffee or hot chocolate is one of the things I look forward to as we approach the holidays and cold, snowy weather.

Last year, my daughter, Megan, introduced me to Fireside Coffee and I was a big fan. I kept a container ready all of last winter and will do the same this year.  I made my Fireside Coffee with decafinated coffee so I could enjoy it day or evening.

What a wonderful gift this would be for neighbors and friends.

FIRESIDE COFFEE MIX

2 cups powdered cocoa mix (15 packets of Swiss Miss individual servings)
2 cups powdered coffee creamer
1 cup instant coffee (I used decaffinated)
1.5 cups sugar (I used 1.5 tablespoons of Stevia instead)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • Mix ingredients well.  Store in tins, jars, or plastic bags.
  • Mix 2 heaping tablespoons mix with 2/3 cup very hot water.  Stir and enjoy!
Family · Family Favorites · Holidays · New Traditions

Christmas Crockpot Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate and the holidays just go hand-in-hand.  That warm cozy feeling in your tummy while gathered around the fire or Christmas tree with loved ones is what Christmas is all about.

Christmas Fireplace
Christmas Fireplace (Photo credit: rockinpaddy)

Daughter, Sarah, requested that we try this recipe for Christmas morning 2012 and it was delicious.  It took a little longer to heat in the crock pot so allow plenty of time for it to warm to serving temperature.

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas!

CHRISTMAS CROCK POT HOT CHOCOLATE

1.5 cups heavy cream
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz.)
2 cups milk chocolate chips
6 cups milk (I used 1%)
1 tsp. vanilla
mini marshmallows

  • Stir together the whipping cream, milk, vanilla, and chocolate chips in a crock pot.
  • Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted.
  • Stir again before serving. Garnish as desired.

adapted from mrshappyhomemaker.com

Family Favorites · New Traditions

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix…mmmm!

Salted Caramel is a taste bud extravaganza!  Combining salted caramel with chocolate has to be a winner.

A few weeks ago I discovered this recipe on Pinterest and, of course, had to try it.  I made a batch to give as gifts but stashed a few servings away for me, too.  It’s delicious.  Add the sea salt to your taste and…BONUS…you have to try it to assure that the combination is absolutely perfect.

A cup of salted caramel hot chocolate mix for a long winter’s night…mmmm!

SALTED CARAMEL HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups good quality Dutch cocoa powder
1 to 3 tablespoons good sea salt (I used 1 1/2 tablespoons)
1 cup dry milk powder
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
10 ounces good quality bittersweet chocolate or chocolate chips

  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
  • Heat the 2 1/2 cups sugar in large, heavy pan, over medium heat.  Stir often.
  • When the sugar begins to melt, continuous stir (or swirl the pan) to melt without burning.  The sugar seems to crystallize but it will melt to a deep amber color after 15-20 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and carefully add the vanilla (it will spatter). Whisk the caramel until smooth again, then immediately pour in the lined baking sheet. Allow it to spread without touching the sides.  Set aside and let the caramel harden, at least 1 hour.

  • When ready to make the mix, use the back of a large spoon to tap the caramel several times into small broken pieces that can fit into the feeding tube of a large food processor.
  • Turn the processor on, and while running, feed the caramel pieces into the tube so the processor pulverizes the caramel into a fine powder.  Continue to add the pieces, a few at a time, until it is completely powder (a cloud of caramel dust will float out of the tube).  Turn the processor off and follow the next steps to complete the mix.

  • Add the rest of the ingredients, except the chocolate, into the food processor with the caramel powder.  Replace the lid and process until smooth.
  • Add the chocolate to the bowl and process again until the mixture is a fine powder.
  • At this point, I made a cup to taste to assure I added enough sea salt. Originally, I started with 1 tablespoon and after tasting, I added another 1/2 tablespoon to the mixture.

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, for up to one month.  To serve, stir 3 tablespoons mix into 1 cup hot milk.

Adapted from Pennies on a Platter 2007; Adapted from Mom It Forward