Hot Chocolate Mix and a Hot Chocolate Party in a Flash

 HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

Some of you may be laughing at me for posting this now, but I do have a reason. You see, I plan ahead. I'm already buying and making Christmas gifts. I'm finalizing my recipes for Halloween and starting early-stage menu for grocery lists for Thanksgiving. So, while it's hot and the grocery items are not yet overpriced or sold out, I'm making Hot Chocolate Mix, Russian Mixer (aka Russian tea), and several other make-ahead mixes to make my life easier when I plan to be socially active. Versatile recipes and advance planning take the stress out of unexpected guests and kinks in your social calendar. 



Please note that this is a very basic recipe. It's made to be enhanced! This makes it ideal for a quick hot chocolate buffet party. All you need to do is set out different enhancements like crushed peppermint candy, candy canes to stir with, a big bowl of marshmallows, Baileys, Fireball whiskey, Khalua, Grand Marnier, pumpkin spice mix (see below), candy/cupcake sprinkles, cayenne powder or Tajin powder, mint syrup (mint jelly warmed in the microwave works well here), caramel syrup, star anise and cinnamon. Is your mind racing with possibilities now?  Throw together a small basket or box of these enhancements to have handy using small containers and airline alcohol bottles for a flawless presentation to make you look like Super Hostess at a moment's notice. Don't forget the whipped cream!


  • Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
    tasteofhome.com (11)
    5 min
    Read full directions
    To add delicious flavor to your pumpkin pie recipe, try this pumpkin spice. This pumpkin pie spice blend can also be used to make spiced nuts. —Mary Dixon, Catlin, Illinois
    Ingredients
    • 4 teaspoons
      Ground Cinnamon
    • 2 teaspoons
      Ground Ginger
    • 1 teaspoon
      Ground Cloves
    • ½ teaspoon
      Ground Nutmeg
    Directions
    1. Mix all ingredients. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place up to 6 months.,
    2. Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
    3. may be used as a substitute for store-bought pumpkin pie spice or to prepare the following recipe: Spiced Nuts
    Read full directions

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Doc has a Spiffy New Office!

I'll repeat this on LapBandTalk.com, but I'm guessing my bariatric surgeon, Dr. Michael Baptista, is getting more and more successful. He's moved from his partnership with another doctor and into his own spiffy new office MUCH more conveniently located for me, in Arlington right off 9A and Monument in the Brooks Rehab Building. Now, I'm not saying his former partner was a bad doctor-- not with that many awards-- but I didn't like the other doctor and that's the honest truth. I'm allowed my opinions, and my two experiences with the former partner were unpleasant. Now I feel much freer to help Dr. Baptista with his newer patients! I'm pleased to say Dr. Baptista asked me to start attending the monthly support group so I can provide cheerfulness and inspiration to a group that has recently begun to focus on negativity in his opinion. One subject he mentioned specifically I could help with was the low carb diet. Many have difficulty in going beyond what&
Read more

The Legend of No Desserts in One-der-Land

Once there was a woman named Alice who fell down a spiraling hole of guilt and shame while following an elusive White Rabbit of Beauty. She discovered a magical place called One-der-land, though at first it seemed a place of madness and horror. I'll occasionally recount (not in chronological order because this is a place of madness, after all, at least to Alice) some of her adventures. Alice landed at the bottom of the Shame Spiral in tears, her body shattered by so many years of abuse, both from within Alice herself and from others, who felt she didn't deserve anything. She wondered if she'd ever be able to get up, but she managed to heave herself erect and walk, still hoping for another glimpse of the beautiful White Rabbit. Alice had to rest often, and had trouble breathing, but the path seemed familiar somehow, as if she'd traveled upon it or at least seen it many times. Her feet swelled, her knees hurt, and upon occasion she considered just lying down at the side
Read more

The Best Spices-- Never say Low Carb is bland again

Image
Our Spices Gifts & Accessories Recipes Blog Events Our Stores St. Patrick's Day the Right Way. For  real home made brined corned beef, you need to get started soon, as you need around two weeks for the brining process. St. Patrick's Day is one of our favorite holidays here in Chicago, and not just because the river is dyed green .  With our long history in the meat industry, we love any holiday that traditionally features a giant piece of slowly marinated beef.  Sure, you can get pre-made or quick-cooking corned beef, but for the real thing, you need to start with good beef and let it brine until it's perfectly flavored and meltingly tender.  Our brine recipe will give you the best corned beef, whether you eat it straight, slice it into Reubens, or make it into hash. Is your cinnamon old enoug
Read more