Crazy for cocoa

Frosty the Snowman was a jolly happy soul, and by golly, these Christmas gifts are just about the jolliest snowmen I’ve ever seen! They might not have magic hats to bring them to life, but I think their cuteness makes up for it.

I saw these snowmen on Pinterest when I was brainstorming for gifts for the Heginbotham Library Extravaganza, and I just had to try them. I’m not a coffee drinker, so anything with hot chocolate makes me super excited!

I used a homemade hot cocoa recipe from pennies onaplatter.com, but you can use any kind of mix you like.

Start out with three baby food jars and fill one with marshmallows, one with hot chocolate mix and one with either chocolate chips or peppermints. (I also spray painted the lids silver, which is totally up to you.)

Paint on the eyes, nose, mouth and buttons and use hot glue to attach the three jars to each other. Cut a circle out of black felt and attach it to the top jar with a rubberband, covered with black ribbon. Cut a strip of fabric for the scarf and you’re all set!

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour half of the mixture into the bowl of a food processor and process until the chocolate is finely ground. Transfer to an airtight container, then repeat with the remaining mix. Store in the airtight container for up to three months. To make the hot cocoa drink, mix 1/3 cup of the cocoa mix with 1 cup hot milk.

Holyoke Enterprise December 6, 2012