My kids love hot cocoa.  I try to serve it on Christmas morning in our special Christmas china cups {along with snowmen pancakes, or Christmas tree french toast}.   It makes for great Christmas morning memories!  Me though?  Normally I wouldn’t go out of my way to drink it on any regular day…unless…there was something special about it.  Add cinnamon to the mix, you bet I’d drink it!  Maybe a little white or dark chocolate…woo hoo!  Add a little extra chocolate and mint…NOW we’re talking!

So, when making up this recipe for the hot cocoa mix {that I am going to give as homemade Christmas presents} I didn’t want it to just be blah, regular ol’ hot chocolate.  I wanted it to be a bit special.  In comes Andes Creme de Menthe Baking Chips.  Sounds fancy, eh?  The great flavor of Andes mints but in perfect little morsels that mix oh-so-nicely into the hot cocoa mix….taking it from ordinary to extraordinary!

Mix up a whole batch and store in an air tight container to have on hand all winter long for a special treat.  Or, make up a batch and give away in small containers for homemade Christmas gifts.  Small mason jars
{jelly or pint size} work well, or those fancy Christmas-y plastic bags would work too.  I figure the mix makes around 50 – 6 ounce servings …depending on how concentrated you like your cocoa.  That is figuring around 3 Tablespoons for every 6 ounces of milk {or water}.

Make this winter a little warmer and sweeter with this Homemade Mint Hot Cocoa Mix.  Enjoy! -Shelley.

Mint Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe:

4 c powdered sugar

2 c cocoa powder

3 c powdered milk

1 1/2 c french vanilla coffee creamer (powdered)

2 t salt

1 – 10 oz bag Andes Creme de Menthe Baking Chips

Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk everything together well, except the Andes mints.  After everything is mixed up nice ‘n good pour in bag of Andes mints and mix well.

Store in air tight container or package in glass mason jars or pretty plastic bags to give as gifts.  Top with mini marshmallows, if desired.

If you want to make your jars a little prettier, try adding a square piece of fabric in between the lid and screw on cap, or tying some festive ribbon around the jar.

Add your own creative touch by printing off mixing instructions.

Even if you are planning on giving the hot cocoa mix as a gift, keep a little bit out for yourself! 😉 Plan on using about 3 T for every 6 ounces of hot milk {or water}.  For a richer hot cocoa, fill your mug half way with the mix, and fill with hot water or milk the rest of the way.

Top with marshmallows and a few mini Andes mints {if you saved a few from the bag!} Enjoy, mmmm….enjoy!