365 Days of Blessing & Creamy Peppermint Hot Cocoa!

365 Days of Blessing

Are you still looking for the perfect gift for a special friend or family member? After reading Encouragement For Today Devotions  I am thrilled with Holly’s gift idea.  I am a prayer-warrior-in-training.  I love praying for others, for needs, and often times in thanksgiving.  Holly tells the story of the time she received 365 days of prayer on her behalf from a friend in a gift exchange.  What an awesome gift that would be to know that everyday for a year there is another praying for YOU!  I can hardly think of a better gift.

He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” Colossians 4:12b (NIV)

God Bless You this Christmas Season and all throughout the year!

I thought this picture just might get your attention!  Have you seen the Peppermint Mocha’s or Peppermint Hot Chocolate McDonald’s has been selling for $2.49 a small cup?  Well, it looks delicious, but really $2.49?  As I rubbed my sleepy eyes this morning and walked into the kitchen my eyes fell upon the lovely little peppermint candy canes left over from all the excitement of Sweet & Pink Peppermint Krispies! Ahhhh, peppermint.  I never have been a coffee drinker although my chief culinary consultant is a connoisseur of fine coffee.  For that reason, and coffee with friends, I keep some flavored coffee creamers handy.  This morning that frothy, whipped, creamy, hot cocoa picture from McDonald’s entered my head and I thought, “well, I can do better than that!”  A few minutes later … yes, I did better because I assure you it didn’t cost me $2.49 to make this lovely cup of cocoa.   Start here:

8 ounces of hot water later:

And a few seconds later:
The candy cane completely melts into the hot chocolate and the taste begins subtle and grows with intensity!  Whether you choose coffee of hot cocoa as your base, this will warm you from inside out!  Today while on a hunt for some more Peppermint Marshmallows I curiously looked over the selection of flavored coffee creamers available this holiday season.  They ranged from Vanilla Spiced Rum, Peppermint Mocha, White Chocolate Raspberry, Gingerbread Latte, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Cinnamon Dolce Cream, Skinny White Chocolate Mocha all the way to Creme Brulee’ .  I decided more of us must like these little jolts of flavor than I had thought.  What a market there must be!  However, on my shelf at home is this little bottle of wonder that might add just the perfect kick … if it weren’t 8 in the morning!  Can you just imagine a tablespoon or two-

Although this is such a simple recipe, it may be one you hadn’t thought about fixing at home for the kids, grandkids, visiting neighbors or your family!  It is a treat all on it’s own.  As a matter of fact, I was working at my desk this afternoon and glanced over at the kitchen, my eyes falling upon the little container of Swiss Miss Cocoa packets.  Up in a flash I was making myself a second cup of the lovely peppermint hot chocolate.  After I added the peppermint candy cane and it was just right I wandered out to the carport where my hubby was working.  I automatically handed him the cup and said “here, have a taste.”  He promptly stopped working, took a nice gulp, thanked me for thinking of him, and set the mug down where he was working! I turned away smiling, thinking “it is better to give than receive.”  After all I certainly didn’t need another cup today 🙂  Pleasing others comes naturally when you are cooking.  I love that.

Many Blessings and Happy Cooking!

P.S.  Cookbook Give away coming up monday!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

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Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

2 mins

Total time

7 mins

Ingredients

• 1 packet Swiss Miss, No Sugar Added Hot Cocoa Mix
• 2 teaspoon White Chocolate Mocha International Delight
• 1 Peppermint Candy Cane
• Whip Cream

Instructions

1. in a microwavable coffee cup add 8 ounces of water. Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
   

2. Add Swiss Miss, no sugar added packet of cocoa mix. Pour in White Chocolate Mocha International Delight, or your favorite flavored coffee cream from Coffee Mate or International Delight.
   

3. Add one peppermint candy cane. Top with whip cream!

   

4. Enjoy!
   

Notes

International Delight and Coffee Mate both have numerous flavors of non-dairy creamers and creamers.  Just to name a few: Vanilla Spiced Rum, Peppermint Mocha, White Chocolate Raspberry, Gingerbread Latte, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Italian Sweet Cream, Cream Brulee,  or my personal favorite, Caramel Macchiato just to name a few~   Any of these would be wonderful in hot cocoa or hot coffee!

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