The malls are packed, and who wants to drive in the snow?
Your to-do list is so long, you have to fold it like an accordion, and the stress is ruining your mood. This is no way to spend the holiday season.
Here’s some advice: Stay home. Pull out your cookbooks and finish off your gift list with something made in your own kitchen.
These two gifts are easy enough for kids to make, or at least to help.
Chocolate-covered spoons are fun gifts for the coffee lover on your list. Kids love to help. You can use plastic spoons or inexpensive holiday spoons, wrapping each one in plastic wrap tied with a pretty bow.
The hot cocoa mix can be blended and stored in an airtight container for at least a year. You can use either hot milk or hot water to make the beverage.
CHOCOLATE COFFEE SPOONS
2cups chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or candy melts
2teaspoons shortening
30 spoons
Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper. Place the chips and shortening in a 4-cup glass measure or a medium mixing bowl. Microwave the chips for 1 minute at 50 percent power. Stir well. Continue microwaving at 50 percent power, stirring every 30 seconds, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
Dip spoons one at a time into the chocolate. Tap each spoon on the side of the measuring cup to remove the excess. Place dipped spoons on the wax paper until the chocolate hardens. Wrap individual spoons in plastic wrap before storing.
To use, just stir your coffee with a chocolate-dipped spoon until the chocolate is melted.
Makes 30.
HOT COCOA MIX
2cups powdered sugar
1cup cocoa (Dutch-process preferred)
2 1/2cups powdered milk
1teaspoon salt
2teaspoons cornstarch
To make the mix, combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and blend evenly. Store in an airtight container until you are ready to make the beverage.
To make four servings of hot cocoa, heat 4 to 6 cups of water or milk. Add about 1/4 cup of powdered mix to each mug. Pour in hot water or milk and stir to combine.
Makes 24 servings.
Sacramento Bee
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