This recipe for homemade hot chocolate mix is a great one for packaging in decorative bags or tins and putting in gift baskets - or just enjoying for yourself on a wintery day. The mini chocolate chips enhance the flavor as they melt!

Check out the recipes that follow.  While you may not be able to use those as a mix, you could still put together a gift basket with the ingredients and the recipe - add a couple of mugs and candy canes and voila - lovely gift!

Ingredients

• 2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Measure all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk them until they are evenly blended.
• Store the mix in a tightly covered container at room temperature until you're ready to package it. Makes about 4 cups of mix.

Tips on Packaging:

• The recipe makes enough for 4 gift-size portions, each of which can be measured into a small plastic bag and tucked into a cup or mug filled with mini marshmallows, candy stick stirrers, and a spoon.
• The mix is also great in little plastic bags tied with a decorative tie with the instructions attached and placed in a gift basket - with mugs of course!
• Wrap each filled gift cup in cellophane and don't forget to include a tag with the following instructions.
• Don't forget to include the instructions: Spoon 3 or 4 generous tablespoons of cocoa mix into your cup (depending on the size), add boiling water, and stir well.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whipping cream
• 6 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 12-ounce package of white chocolate chips
• Whipped cream for garnish
• Candy canes for garnish

Directions:

• Stir together the whipping cream, milk, vanilla and white chocolate chips in a slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 2-1/2 hours stirring occasionally until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted.
• Stir again before serving.
• Garnish with whipped cream and candy canes if desired.

Ai chihuahua!  But it sounds very good!  (By the way - ai chihuahua originated in Australia as an exclamation of surprise!)

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 cup water
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons cherry brandy (optional)

Directions:

• In a saucepan over low heat, stir together the sugar, cocoa powder and chili powder.
• Cook and stir for 5 minutes.
• Add water and bell pepper strips and mix well.
• Bring to a simmer and stir in milk.
• When the mixture is heated to your liking, remove the pepper strips with a slotted spoon.
• Add cherry brandy if using and serve.