A hot drink on a cold night warms the insides like medicine for the soul. Hot chocolate is the perfect compliment with Christmas treats for a party. The drink may be kept warm in a crock pot, carafe, or mixed as needed. Christmas gifts from the kitchen are offered from the heart and so appreciated by the receiver. This dry ingredient mix makes a perfect Christmas gift.

Ingredients:

• 1¾ cup of Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Trade Sugar (or other bone char free organic pure cane sugar)
• 2 cups Cocoa Powder
• 1 Vanilla Bean
• ¼ tsp Salt
• 1 cup of Almond, Soy or Rice Milk (per serving)

Other Supplies Required:

• Large Mixing Bowl 
• Paring Knife
• Pint Size Canning Jars
• Wooden Spoon

Directions:

1. Open vanilla bean by running tip of paring knife down length of vanilla bean pod.
2. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean pod.
3. Place seeds into bowl. The remainder of the vanilla bean pod may be saved for other recipes.
4. Add sugar, cocoa and salt.
5. Stir with wooden spoon to mix all ingredients well.
6. Place dry ingredients in pint size canning jars for Christmas gift giving or storage.

To Serve:

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of dry hot chocolate mix with one cup of almond, soy or rice milk.
2. Heat ingredients in sauce pan over stove on medium heat setting until warm, stirring constantly.

Christmas Gifting Suggestions:

• Place Christmas fabric swatch on top of lid, add ring on top of fabric swatch and twist the lid/ring assembly on jar to secure. Ribbon may be added around outside of ring with to/from tag attached.
• Several jars may be placed inside Christmas gift box for a family gift or hostess gift.
• Jar may be combined with coffee mug in a basket and covered in clear wrap for a very pretty Christmas gift presentation.

Photo courtesy of Holiday Gift by Adrian at Flickr’s Creative Commons.