Saint Nicholas Cocoa Mix

One of our favorite traditions, for the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6th, is making St. Nicholas Hot Cocoa for our own celebration, as well as to give away to friends and family either on St. Nicholas Day or for Christmas. It is such fun for the children to make, plus it is so delicious!

SAINT NICHOLAS COCOA MIX

INGREDIENTS:

8 cups (20 ounces) powdered milk
1 (16-ounce) package instant cocoa
1½ cups powdered sugar
10 ounces (2½ cups) powdered non-dairy creamer
4 cups (8 ounces) miniature marshmallows
6-8 ounces finely crushed peppermint candy
Candy canes, optional


DIRECTIONS:

Combine powdered milk, cocoa, powdered sugar, creamer, marshmallows and peppermint candy; mix well. Store in an airtight container.

This recipe makes enough mix to fill 5 wide-mouth quart sized jars. We always close the jars with white wide-mouth jar lids, red ribbon and a tag with the recipe.


RECIPE TO ATTACH:

For each serving, put ½ cup of mix in a regular-size mug, fill with boiling water; mix well with candy cane. Enjoy!!

(I've uploaded pdf files of my tags for St. Nicholas Day and Christmas, which you are welcome to use.)


GIFT BASKETS:

The St. Nicholas Hot Cocoa is also a great addition to gift baskets as well! Just package up a jar of the mix, possibly a couple mugs, and a bunch of candy canes, and then...

...For a Christmas Gift Basket add a copy of The Legend of the Candy Cane or maybe the DVD instead, and then throw in some Candy Cane Kisses.

...Or, for a Saint Nicholas Day Gift Basket include one of the great picture books about St. Nicholas, or maybe the movie Nicholas, The Boy who became Santa, and then finish it off with a bunch of chocolate gold coins!

Prayer to St. Nicholas

O good holy Nicholas, you who brought joy to children, put in my heart the spirit of childhood about which the Gospel speaks. Teach me how to sow happiness around me. Amen.