Hot Cocoa - Easy and Vegan

Happy March 1st, everyone!  Where did the first 2 months of this year go?  And here we are, looking daylight savings in the face!  Eek!

I don't about you, but around here, we've been experiencing a very mild winter.  It's felt more like Spring the majority of the time, but over the last few weeks, Winter has taken it's place and we've had our fair share of snow and cold winds and rain.  And that type of weather calls for two things.  Sweaters.  And hot cocoa.

Scot and the boys love hot cocoa.  It's a special treat for them and I found myself a week or so ago trying to figure out a vegan version for it.  This is what I came up with.  It's rich and sweet and totally delicious!

Hot Cocoa - Easy and Vegan
Makes 2.5 cups (2 servings)

• 2 1/2 cups unsweetened Almond Milk
•  1/4 c cocoa powder
• 1/2 c powdered sugar
• 1/8 t salt (pinch)
• 1 t vanilla

-- Combine everything in a small sauce pan (you'll have to whisk it a lot) and heat over medium until desired temperature.  DO NOT BOIL.

Deluxe Hot Cocoa Mix

My punch bowl full of cocoa mix

My husband is a Hot Cocoa addict. Ok, so maybe not quite to the addict stage yet, but when I buy hot cocoa mix in the little container, it's gone in a matter of days. Last year, to help save cost and still let him sip him yummy drink, I made my own hot cocoa mix. This year, I did the same. This is also a great little gift to give friends and family during the holidays. It makes 16 cups (8 pint jars is all you need for your gifts, and some ribbon!) and fits into a gallon sized pitcher/container. And it lasts a LOT longer than just a few days. It costs about 10 - 15 dollars to make, depending on if you get certain things name brand or on sale, but it's so worth it!!

Deluxe Hot Cocoa Mix

• 2.5 cups cocoa powder - I use Hersey, some others will be sweeter, richer, or stronger in different aspects. Hersey is what Walmart carries so it's what I use.
• 1 (2 lb) bag of powdered sugar
• 2.5 cups creamer - I like really chocolaty hot cocoa, so I use chocolate flavored creamer and just a little 'almond creme'. If you like just subtle hints of chocolate, I suggest using a Hazelnut or Vanilla flavored creamer. I used just normal, non-flavored creamer last year and it wasn't nearly as good as this years!
• 9 cups dry milk - measure it out into a separate bowl and then in 2 batches run it through a food processor or blender. This eliminates the 'mud' at the bottom of your cup because it is not the same 'fineness' as the other ingredients.

--Mix it all together in a LARGE punch bowl or even...dare I say it...a trash bag. Clean, of course. If you mix it, the easiest way is with a whisk.
--Mix 1/3 cup of mix with 1 cup hot water and enjoy.

Other variations include, but are not limited to, marshmallows, cinnamon (about 1 T), other spices, and really, whatever you want. :) Have fun!

Perfect Sweet Tea

What is summer without sweet tea? Well, if you're from the south, it's just not summer!! And if you're not from the south, well, it's still not truly summer until you have that pitcher full of the sweet goodness just sitting in your fridge for you to enjoy whenever you wish! I found this sweet tea recipe on one of my favorite recipe site, www.allrecipes.com. Enjoy and let your summer begin!

Sweet Tea

• 1 pinch baking soda
• 2 cups boiling water
• 6 tea bags
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 6 cups cool water

--Boil water, and add tea bags. Cover, and allow to steep for 15 minutes.
--Sprinkle in the baking soda - THIS IS KEY!!!! Don't forget the baking soda, it neutralizes the tannic acid in the tea and makes it smooth, removing the bitter taste you get after you drink tea. You can do this with normal iced tea, too, if you're taste buds don't like it sweet!
--Remove tea bags, and discard; stir in sugar until dissolved. Pour in cool water, then refrigerate until cold.
--Very easy to double!!