Homemade Hot Cocoa

A couple of years ago when we still lived in Idaho, one of our neighbors brought us homemade hot chocolate. I was in absolute awe of this, not realizing it was something that could be accomplished at home (duh). I made a point to ask her for the recipe knowing it would be a good thing for this hot chocolate lover to have. I never was able to corner her for the recipe and forgot about it once summer came. That is until the following winter when our neighborhood ladies put together a cookbook. When I received my book I'd be lying if I told you it wasn't one of the first recipes I searched for. Low and behold on page five of that book laid the very recipe I had been coveting for an entire year.

This year (since we are in an entirely different state now) I decided to borrow her idea and give my new neighbors a taste of our Idaho Christmas.  I wanted to find a cute way to package it and after a few minutes on Pinterest I was inspired and came up with this:

What do you think? Cute? I like the way they turned out and am glad I was able to find the big quart jars so that it could hold enough servings for a big family if needed. They were super easy to do I just made the tags in photoshop, threaded some cute ribbon through them and then added a Christmasy scrapbook paper top. So easy. The thing that made them extra cute was our personal little delivery man:

He practiced saying "Merry Christmas!" and handing the jars over before we left. The neighbors loved it!

Homemade Hot Cocoa

1 box (1 lb, 10 oz) non fat dry milk (11 cups)
4 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
2 (8 oz) jars flavored non dairy creamer (I used Hazelnut this time but there are lots of options)
1 (11 oz) jar non dairy creamer (3 cups)
1 box (1 lb) chocolate milk mix - like Nestle Quick (2 cups)

In a very large bowl (find your biggest mixing bowl and then get an even bigger one, seriously this makes a ton!) combine all ingredients, stir until well blended. Store in an air tight container. Give with serving instructions. Yeild: about 19 1/2 cups of cocoa mix.

To serve: Add 3 heaping tablespoons to 6 oz. hot water.