Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas is here! On Black Friday, I shared on Daytime Tricities some ideas for Thanksgiving leftovers, along with some cocoa ideas for Christmas. What’s better than a hot cup of cocoa? A BAKED hot cup of cocoa! This little cake-in-a-cup is truly delicious. As a baker, flavor is my priority, and honestly, this little cake has won my baker’s heart. It’s rich and moist, very chocolaty, and so quick and easy, even kids can make it. And it only takes 60 seconds to bake in the microwave!
Baked Hot Cocoa in a Mug
In a mug, whisk together ¼ cup flour, 5 tbsp. sugar and 2 tbsp. cocoa powder. Mix in 1 egg, 3 tbsp. milk, 3 tbsp. oil, and a dash each of vanilla and salt, until smooth. Stir in a few mini marshmallows and a tbsp. of chocolate chips. Put half the batter into another mug and bake each mug separately for about 60 seconds, depending on your microwave. Or bake all the batter in one cup for about 1 1/2 minutes, or less, depending your microwave. It will be slightly gooey on top, but solid underneath. Serve with whipped cream if desired. (I suggest you do! So good!)
Candy Cane Cocoa Mix
A tasty cocoa with a hint of peppermint, perfect for the Holidays and for gift giving as well. For maximum flavor, I used real chocolate along with cocoa powder and designed this to be used in milk, not water. This recipe is good for about 4 servings and is easily increased to have some on hand for later.
4 ounces milk chocolate chips
4 soft peppermint candies, crushed fine
4 tablespoons powdered milk
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
2 tablespoons Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa (or use Dutch)
2 tablespoons powdered vanilla coffee creamer
2 teaspoons vanilla powder (can skip if you can’t find it. Dr. Oetker brand)
Freeze your chocolate chips and process in a food processor until finely ground. Add to all the other ingredients and mix well. You can add mini marshmallows, like the kind you find in packaged hot chocolate, found in the hot cocoa section of your grocer. Mix about 4 tablespoons into a mug of hot milk. Mix well, as the flavor intensifies as the chocolate finishes melting.
The ‘Olaf’ Mix
I LOVE this mix! It’s like what I call ‘vanilla milk’, where for years I’ve warmed milk for the kids, added vanilla and a pinch of sugar. But this takes it a step farther with nutmeg and other ingredients to create a unique creamy flavor, that gives you a warm feeling, like you get when you see Olaf! Again, mix with milk, not water. This makes about 4 servings.
4 tablespoons powdered vanilla coffee creamer
4 tablespoons powdered sugar
4 tablespoons powdered milk
2 teaspoons Dream Whip mix
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg (or less, to taste)
