Gift Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. ~Edith Sitwell

Our family tradition, since I was a child, is to bring out our beautiful, antique chocolate set and sip hot chocolate and nibble on homemade Christmas cookies as we listen to holiday music and exchange gifts on Christmas Eve.

Invite loved ones to share a cup of hot cocoa with you around the fire on Christmas Eve or festively package your homemade, gluten-free, organic hot cocoa mix and gift a batch to your family, friends and co-workers during the holidays. Include packets of toppings like chocolate nibs and mini-marshmallows - the kids will love it!

Ingredients for Vanilla Sugar:

2 cups organic unbleached raw cane sugar
1 whole vanilla bean, cut up into small pieces

Ingredients for Organic Hot Cocoa Mix:

1 cup organic dry powdered milk
1/4 cup high quality organic cocoa powder
1/2 cup vanilla sugar
Pinch of sea salt

Directions for Vanilla Sugar:

1. Combine the sugar with the vanilla bean in a food processor or a blender.
   
2. Process until the vanilla bean is completely minced.
   
3. Strain sugar into a container with a tight fitting lid. Store in a cool dry place.

Directions for Organic Hot Cocoa Mix:

1. Mix all the ingredients together and store in an airtight container.
   
2. To make hot cocoa, stir one cup boiling water into 1/4 cup mix.