Cocoa Mix

[TonyaW]

I want to make cocoa mix in a jar as some gifts. I don't want to make the crap with non fat powdered milk and powdered coffee creamer. I know this isn't completely TF friendly, but I figured this is one of the healthiest treats I could make for people who don't eat TF. I was thinking of something along the lines of unsweetened cocoa, coconut powder, sugar, and cinnamon. I wish I could add vanilla, but everything needs to be in a powder to mix with hot water.

Does anyone have any recipes?

Thanks!

[Magelet]

one of my fave cocoas is ghiradelli's baking cocoa, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and cayenne pepper. super super good.

you could do unsweetened baking cocoa and palm sugar or sucanat, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and cayenne, or you could research vanilla powder (don't know if its any good.) can you buy vanillla sugar (I think its just sugar which had vanilla beans sitting in it for a long time.

I'd definitely put on the instructions that it is better if mixed with milk a lot of store-bought cocoas have powdered milk to make them creamier. I personally don't think any cocoa is acceptable in water but that's just me.

[nathansmum]

Just found this that sounds good!

You could make a vanilla sugar using vanilla beans.

[TonyaW]

I like the vanilla sugar idea. I have seen that before. I am going to try using coconut milk powder to make the cocoa more creamy. Regular unsweetened cocoa powder doesn't seem to mix as well with milk as hot boiling water unless you make a paste, so that is why I am going to say to mix water into the cocoa mix. I will have to experiment to see what I come up with.

[Straggletag]

Why bother with the mix? Dean & Deluca is now selling "drinking chocolate on a stick," which would be a very simple craft, much tastier and more TF to boot. You'd want to get lollipop sticks and molds, melt the chocolate of your choice into the mold (I'd go for darker, but that's just me), and throw in flavorings to get fancy. I'd buy some real marshmallows and chop them small to throw in as well. Then you'd have a "gourmet" indulgent treat without the astronomical Dean & Deluca background. Remember to include instructions for the hot chocolate (submerge in hot milk, stir, etc.).

(If you have a few months head time when you want to try this: buy the best Halloween or other holiday candy when it goes on sale after the holiday.)

[yitlan]

Here's an old post: http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...ighlight=cocoa

In this I discuss my approach: "If we need a mix to go, I recently discovered Wilderness Family Naturals' coconut milk powder. I mix it with cocoa powder and sucanat/rapadura and blend it up a bit. Add hot water while on the road. My family LOVED this and it's now an official part of our winter sports outings!"
And WFN is having free shipping right now, so it's a great time to order.

[Straggletag]

yitian, Ooo, that does sound tempting! I could think of a thousand uses for that including flavoring marzipan.