Easy Holiday Recipe: Homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate

My sister is basically Martha Stewart #2. When she grows up I can picture her being one of those moms who always bakes the best stuff for the bake sale and never, ever sends her kid with something bought from Stop & Shop. Her skills in the kitchen (particularly with cute baked goods and other sweets) are unmatched. This year, as small, simple gifts she decided to make these gorgeous mason jars filled with yummy peppermint hot chocolate (this was definitely inspired by the hot chocolate mochas we had at the coffee shop we live above). I personally can’t wait to steal one for myself.

These make a perfect gift if you’re on a low budget or don’t feel like braving the mall.

You’ll need:

• Mason Jar (quart sized)
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (we used Hershey’s)
• 3/4 cup powdered milk
• 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 3-4 candy canes, pulvarized (in blender or by hand)
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• Enough mini marshmallows to fill the rest of the jar

Pour powdered milk into jar and bang it gently against counter until contents settle flat at the bottom of the jar. Add cocoa powder and tap jar until contents settles. Follow the same step with granulated sugar then add chocolate chips. Using your finger spread chocolate chips so they spread against the outside of the jar so the layer looks even. Repeat this step with the crushed candy canes. Lastly, fill to the top with mini marshmallows.

Once your mason jar is filled with homemade hot chocolate mix, tie a ribbon around the neck of the mason jar. Take a second ribbon and tie it around a whole candy cane and then around the jar. Add home made sticky label.

To make the hot chocolate, remove the marshmallows, close and shake jar to mix ingredients, then use 3 tbsp of mix per 6 oz of hot water.