I saw a super cute Santa (Cocoa) Teapot at the Hallmark store the other day and just couldn't decide if I should buy it or not. After standing & staring at it for about 20 minutes I decided not too - now I am regretting that decision because I just happened upon three great Christmas Cocoa recipes.
I found this little Santa teapot on Overstock.com but I haven't decided if I'll order it or the one I saw at Hallmark but ... Buying a Santa Cocoa pot is now definitely It's on my Christmas To~List!
While I am deciding which teapot I "must have" here are the recipes - enjoy!
Peppermint Whipped Cream Magic
Buy
peppermint candy canes or even just 
peppermint round candies. Use a blender to
crush them to powder.
It will get
loud,
so plug your ears!
Then
get your whipped cream out. It can be Cool Whip or whipping
cream that you whip
yourself.
For
16 oz. of whipping cream, pour in 1/2 cup of powdered peppermint candy.
Stir peppermint dust in. It
makes a fun pink cream and there are even some tiny chunks that are yummy too.
Make
a large pot of hot cocoa on the stove and have your bowl of peppermint whi
pping
cream on the side with a large spoon for scooping. Or you can make one mug of hot chocolate and
stir in a spoonful or two of the cream. Either way is
delicious.
To store leftover peppermint powder, pour into a plastic bag or container and place in the cupboard.
Let-it-Snow Cocoa
2C. Whipping Cream
6
C. Milk
1
tsp vanilla extract
12
oz. pkg. White Chocolate Chips
Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover & cook for about 2 hours – until chocolate I melted and mixture is hot. Stir well to combine ingredients. Makes 10 servings
Snow Capped Citrus Cocoa
1/2
cup sugar
1/4
cup cocoa
1
dash salt
1/3
cup hot water
4
cups milk
3/8
teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2
teaspoon orange extract or 2-3 tablespoons orange liqueur
In medium saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt;
blend in water.
Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until
mixture boils.Boil and stir 2 minutes.
Add milk; stir and heat to serving temperature. DO
NOT BOIL.
Remove from heat.
Add vanilla and orange extracts.
Beat with rotary beater or wire whisk until foamy.
Serve hot.
And for anyone who is really ambitious - here's how you make the "Snow Caps" ...
"NorthPole" Marshmallows
.
75-oz unflavored
gelatin (3 envelopes of Knox gelatin)
1/2 cup cold water
2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cups light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Line 9 x 9-inch
pan with plastic wrap and lightly oil it. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water.
Soak for about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine sugar, corn syrup and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan.
Bring the mixture to a rapid boil and boil hard for 1 minute.
Pour the boiling syrup into soaked gelatin and turn on the mixer, using the
whisk attachment, to high speed. Add the salt and beat for 12 minutes. After 12
minutes, add in the vanilla extract beat to incorporate.
Scrape marshmallow into the prepared pan and spread evenly (Lightly greasing
your hands and the spatula helps a lot here). Take another piece of lightly
oiled plastic wrap and press lightly on top of the marshmallow, creating a
seal. Let mixture sit for a few hours, or overnight, until cooled and firmly
set.
In a shallow dish, combine equal parts cornstarch and confectioners’ sugar.
Remove marshmallow from pan and cut into equal pieces with scissors (the best
tool for the job) or a chef’s knife. Dredge each piece of marshmallow in
confectioners’ sugar mixture.
Store in an airtight container.
The only one I've tried is the "Let-it-Snow" cocoa ~ I made it for my open house & it was very rich, sweet & yummy!
- N -
PS: Hey Jen ~ you're too young for "large print" but here you go...
