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A Sweet Valentine's Day Gift: Hot
Cocoa Mix with Marshmallow Hearts
by Suzanne Lieurance
Have some fun with your children making this easy hot cocoa mix with
marshmallow hearts for Valentine's Day. The combination will be a much
appreciated gift by a teacher, grandparent, or a special friend on those
cold winter days and nights still ahead.
HOT COCOA MIX RECIPE
1 (8 qt.) box powdered instant nonfat dry milk
1 (1 lb.) box Nestlé’s Quik
1 (8 oz.) jar powdered coffee creamer
1 c. powdered sugar
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Store in covered jar or
other airtight container.
MARSHMALLOW HEARTS RECIPE
2 c. granulated sugar
3 envelopes of unflavored gelatin
1/8 tsp. salt
2 c. water
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Powdered sugar
Small heart-shaped cookie cutter
13 x 9 inch pan, buttered
Kitchen shears
Wax paper
Large re-sealable plastic bag
Combine the granulated sugar, gelatin, and salt in a saucepan. Add the
water and stir over medium-low heat until the sugar dissolves. Heat for
an additional 3 minutes. Remove from stove. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour mixture into a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat at
high speed for 10 minutes (or until mixture resembles thick marshmallow
crème). Pour into a buttered 13x9 inch pan. Let cool.
Heat the kitchen shears and cookie cutter in a bowl of hot tap water.
Cut the marshmallow mixture into strips (as wide as the cookie cutter)
with warm shears, and lay the strips on wax paper. Cut hearts from the
strips with the cookie cutter.
Put about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of powdered sugar into re-sealable plastic bag.
Add the hearts and shake to coat each one.
Store the marshmallow hearts in an airtight container at room
temperature.
Optional: If you want to make pink or red marshmallow hearts, add a drop
or two of red food coloring after the vanilla extract. You can also
experiment with other flavorings besides vanilla. Try a few drops of
peppermint flavoring, or raspberry flavoring, etc. instead of the
vanilla extract.
To package your hot cocoa mix and marshmallow hearts for a Valentine's
Day gift, put a plastic bag of hot cocoa mix and a plastic bag of
marshmallows into a large decorative tin. Attach a label that reads -
Happy Valentine's Day! Here's a gift straight from my heart to yours -
Homemade (by me) Hot Cocoa Mix with Marshmallow Hearts. Directions: For
each cup of cocoa, add 2 heaping teaspoonfuls of cocoa mix to cup. Fill
with hot water. Stir to mix well, then add a marshmallow and enjoy.
Once you and your children have packaged all your gifts, don't forget to
make a batch of hot cocoa mix with marshmallow hearts for yourself and
have a sweet Valentine's Day!
About the author
Suzanne Lieurance is a
children's author, freelance writer, and owner of the Three Angels
Gourmet Co. Visit her writing website at
http://www.suzannelieurance.com or read her daily food tips at
http://www.threeangelsgourmet.blogspot. Her "heavenly gourmet mixes"
are available at
http://www.threeangelsgourmet.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzanne_Lieurance
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