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- Make Hot Cocoa from scratch
- Set up a Hot Cocoa Bar
- Explore Hot Cocoa scented products
Today is Hot Cocoa Day!
What is better than a steaming cup of cocoa? Maybe one your make from scratch!
Hot Cocoa Recipe – makes 4 cups
Combine 1/4 cup of sugar, 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa (like Hershey’s cocoa powder, for example), a dash of salt and 1/2 cup of hot water in a medium saucepan.
Stir, then simmer for 2 minutes.
Add 3 cups of milk to the pan and heat until hot. Before serving, beat with a whisk until frothy. If desired, top with marshmallows or whipped cream.
Make a Hot Cocoa Bar
Hot chocolate fixing (Arina Photography.com)
I have seen some impressive set-ups, including hot cocoa stations arranged artfully on craft carts and bar carts. Check those out on Pinterest! So creative. But a table or counter-top would serve just as well.
You could set one up at work or when friends come over. A hot cocoa bar would also be a great teacher’s lounge treat this winter.
Cocoa. If you are making cocoa for your family, you know what they like. But if you are presenting a hot cocoa station, it may be more practical to offer instant cocoa mix in packets or canisters. There is even non-dairy cocoa and white chocolate cocoa now.
Fixings. The fixings are what make cocoa extra special. How about…
- Whipped cream (in the can)
- Candy canes
- Marshmallows (look at those snowmen!)
- Cinnamon sticks
- Christmas and/or Hanukkah-themed sprinkles
- Red or green decorating sugar (a sprinkle looks so pretty on top of whipped cream!)
Cookies. Well, you were not going to put out hot cocoa without some cookies, were you? Personally, I think cookies that are not chocolate taste best with hot cocoa. You could try…
- Mini white powdered donuts
- Ginger Man cookies
- Mini Christmas sugar cookies
- Shortbread cookies
Cups and stirrers. If you are at home, of course, you can use your own drink ware. But if you are setting up for more than 8 people, I think it makes sense to splurge on some seasonal hot cups with lids and hand-protectors. I have seen some beautiful ones at Ross and Marshall’s for about $4 but they also have these in the grocery section. Just be sure to get a festive design.
The Delicious Smell of Hot Cocoa (Without the Calories) Bath and Body Works has a candle called Hot Cocoa and Cream. I think it’s the best smelling candle in the store! I bought it last year, and I need to pick up another one. It smells so good. The only drawback was that it did make me crave cocoa! I noticed that they didn’t bring back the Hot Cocoa and Cream lip gloss this year. Fortunately, I bought some after Christmas last year and didn’t use it. I’m using it now!
Happy Hot Cocoa Day!
Tagged: Cocoa Bar, Cocoa station, Hot Chocolate Bar, Hot Cocoa Day
Cool Yule 
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