gingerbread hot cocoa mix

this gingerbread hot cocoa mix makes an easy holiday gift and is the perfect way to celebrate the season

every year, i vow to slow down and enjoy the season. i try not to get wrapped up in all the have-tos and make time for the want to-dos. then, come january 2nd i feel like the season went by in a blur. this year i am making it happen. i will stop and stare at the holiday lights. baking will be for enjoyment and not obligation. there will be christmas music and singing loudly. and there will be more nights sitting by the fire enjoying family and this gingerbread hot cocoa. 

you’d think that a month would be long enough to get in all the holiday festivities. the holiday season kicks off officially the day after thanksgiving. one month. should be plenty of time right…yet so often we find ourselves scrambling to get it all done. often feeling let down come december 26th.

i’d love to be one of those people that collects holiday gifts and decorations year round. have my card designed using a photo taken while on summer vacation. this is not me. at all. i enjoy the shopping, the wrapping, and the baking. i just don’t enjoy these things when they have to be squeezed into an already busy schedule.

my kids are getting older, and i probably have only a few christmases left with them still at home. i want to enjoy every minute of this holiday season. so, we are doing less. cards probably will not happen this year. and do you know what, it’s not the end of the world. i bought most of my gifts online, some i even had gift wrapped. and this diy gingerbread hot cocoa mix makes the best neighbor or teacher gifts and could NOT be any easier to put together.

homemade gingerbread hot cocoa mix

Print Recipe

homemade gingerbread hot cocoa mix

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of powdered brown sugar
• 2 cups of milk powder
• 1 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 Tbsp molasses powder
• 3 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp fine grain salt
• 1/4 tsp allspice

Directions:

• sift together the powdered sugar, powdered milk, and cocoa
• whisk in the molasses powder (if using) and spices
• blend thoroughly and store in an airtight container

to serve place 2 Tbsp cocoa mix in a cup and fill with hot water or milk

how to make gingerbread hot cocoa

most hot cocoa mix recipes include powdered sugar. to get a flavor more similar to gingerbread i used powdered brown sugar (you can make your own very easily)

if you don’t want to purchase the molasses powder, add 2 tsp molasses to the hot milk or water when serving the cocoa.

to serve, add 2 Tbsp gingerbread hot cocoa mix into a cup and fill with hot water (i prefer to use milk), stir and top

i love my cocoa topped with freshly whipped cream, but of course my kids cannot have cocoa without marshmallows.

however you plan to celebrate the season, make sure you take time to enjoy the simple things. the glow of lights, festive music, and a cup of gingerbread hot cocoa.

enjoy!