HOWEVER…Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa has NOT been on a good sale for over a year now. I have been OUT of my favorite flavors (mint
& raspberry) for a LONG time.
PLAIN
hot chocolate is just not as fulfilling!!
I have tried adding different extracts….I have tried adding Italian cream
soda syrup (or coffee) flavorings—such as the Toriani brand and been VERY disappointed.
This week, on my “weekly hike” with a friend, I was
lamenting about my dilemma of disappointing plain old
chocolate hot cocoa. She suggested
adding a bit of crushed up candy cane to my next cup. Tonight was heaven. After coming home from watering a different friend’s plants while she is
gone on vacation (WITH my all my children
in tow), in the cold-- for an hour, hot cocoa was just what everyone
needed. I had bought candy canes on
clearance last winter and decided this was the time to crack them open. I was NOT sorry. My cup of hot cocoa FINALLY had that sweet
mint flavor I’ve been missing!! It was
just as good as Stephen’s Hot Cocoa. I daresay
that I will be making my OWN mint hot cocoa from now on. I have enough candy canes to last a good long
time…but when this winter is over, I will stock up AGAIN on candy canes. (Last year I got them for 6 ¢ a box—both 12 count
AND 24 count!!)
Mint Hot Cocoa Recipe:
1) Pull out your plain hot cocoa mix
AND some candy canes!!
2) Break apart the candy canes and place in a plastic baggie. Pull out a meat tenderizor OR other hammering type device.
4) Blast those candy canes to bits!! (Store the remainder in an air tight container for your next single serving of GOURMET hot cocoa!!)
5) Add a spoonful of candy cane bits to your cup and stir...for a while. Give thema chance to BLEND in!!
Happy Stretching Pennies!!
