Here is a sinfully yummy mix for hot chocolate. Having tried a few of the instant mixes (and being disappointed by the flavor) I decided to experiment a bit. And the result is soooooooo tasty!! One would never guess that this recipe doesn't endanger your waistline or your heart! No fat, sugar-free - you can finally enjoy a hot cup of chocolate without feeling guilty! Check further down on the page to find creative ways to give Snowman Soup as a heartwarming gift.
NO GUILT HOT CHOCOLATE MIX
1 container (25.6 oz or 11 cups) Nonfat Dry Milk 1 container (6 oz) SUGAR FREE French Vanilla Creamer 1 sm. box sugar free/fat free Jello Instant Chocolate Cherry Pudding (simple Chocolate or Chocolate Fudge is great, too) 2 cups Splenda 1 1/2 cups cocoa quarter tsp. each of Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Salt
In a large bowl mix Dry Milk, Creamer, Pudding Mix, and Splenda with a whisk. Sift 1 1/2 cups cocoa over the ingredients and incorporate with whisk (please don't skip the sifting, or you might get lumps of cocoa in your mix). Add a quarter tsp. each of Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves and Salt. Keep in a large ziploc bag or a tight fitting container away from moisture.
3 to 4 heaping teaspoons per mug are all it takes to enjoy!
There are several ways to give hot chocolate mixes and wrap them creatively. One way would be to find a nice christmas or snowman themed mug (they're usually quite inexpensive at any large discount or dollar store). Find some cellophane baggies, the kind for treats and goodies - they're available in really nice holiday designs - but a simple clear baggie looks great, too. Open up the baggie and set it into the mug. Fill about 3/4 way full with hot chocolate mix. Close the baggie and tie one or more candy canes to the top, making sure you don't forget the "instructions" (printable tags follow below). You can also add a few mini-marshmallows to the chocolate mix. I'll add a photo or two as soon as I wrap up my first soup-mug...
Another way to give is in single serving sizes (see photos). For this you'll need little ziploc-type baggies, size 3"x 4". They're available in the craft section at Wal-Mart. These are filled with about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of hot chocolate mix and then stapled to a card. Templates for these cards follow. Print on cardstock or heavy paper, 3 to a sheet. Cut apart the foldovers and fold at the darkest part of the "snowflake" design. Slip the ziploc baggie into the card and staple it through the top part. This keeps the card folded and the baggie in the card; you can staple twice to make sure the baggie is secure if you will be displaying these. The bottom of the plastic baggie might overhang the card a bit - that's just fine (see photos). Slip an 8-10" piece of ribbon (either satin or curling type) through one of the staples on the poem side of the card and tie a candy cane to your soup.
These are great to have
on hand for busy delivery folks, the mailman/lady, or a neighbor who decided to stop by.
Why not keep a bowl or basket by the front door during the holiday season and be ready to
pass on a warm treat.
