good recipe for homemade dark chocolate cocoa mix?

[CathyA]

I'm sending a care package to a friend and was going to send some homemade cocoa mix. I made a recipe that had powdered milk, powdered sugar, Hershey's dark cocoa powder and Ghiradelli's bittersweet chocolate chips, all ground up into a powder in a blender. It called for a dash of cayenne, but I didn't have any. I tried it with milk and its really strong, but still pretty good. I'm going to make another batch using those Andes mint candies in it instead of the chocolate chips, since she likes mint.
Do any of you have a favorite homemade recipe for dark chocolate hot cocoa mix? I'm thinking mine needs a little vanilla. I couldn't find vanilla powder, but I could probably use just a little of the liquid vanilla and put it in the blender with everything.
Thanks for sharing a good recipe you might have.

[treehugger]

I don't think this is really what you are asking for, but I make hot cocoa regularly and simply do this: mix 2 rounded teaspoons unsweetened cocoa and 2 scant teaspoons vanilla sugar (I keep a couple vanilla beans in a jar of sugar) in a mug. Fill it halfway with milk and microwave for a minute. Stir like crazy. Fill the mug the rest of the way with milk and microwave for another minute. Stir, and it's ready to enjoy. Delicious, not too sweet, and very simple.

Kara

[Rosemary]

I don't have my old recipe written down (haven't made it for several years as we just make it by the mug) but I just used cocoa, milk powder, and regular granulated sugar. The amount of sugar I used was a lot less than most recipes so it was more like dark chocolate. If you want to add a vanilla flavor, take the granulated sugar that you will use for the recipe and put it in a jar with a vanilla bean for a while.

Or, here's another version of making vanilla sugar for cocoa mix, without the wait (but this recipe has way too much sugar in it):
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/2664

This recipe is probably similar to the ratio I used:
http://www.self.com/fooddiet/blogs/nutritiondata/2010/11/healthier-hot-chocolate.html

When I make it for myself by the cup, I use unsweetened soy milk with just a small amount of cocoa, no sugar. Experiment to see what you like, and then use that ratio to calculate the quantities for a mix.

[CathyA]

Thanks treehugger and Rosemary.
I have to admit, I've overdosed on hot chocolate, testing several recipes! haha

[BayouGirl]

It never occurred to me to make my own hot cocoa mix. I think this is something that I am definitely going to have to try. Yumm! BayouBoy loves hot chocolate on those cold early mornings to warm him up because he often works outside. I love vanilla so the addition of the vanilla beans sounds delicious.

It occurred to me that since there isn't such a product as powdered vanilla (that I know of) that perhaps those powdered flavored coffee creamers might be an excellent powdered flavoring. Plus they come in so many flavors such as vanilla, hazlenut and other yummy versions.


ETA... Then I remembered that Nestle Quik DOES make a Vanilla Quik powder. I prefer vanilla over chocolate and it is quite good!

[CathyA]

BayouGirl.........I've learned that there is a powdered vanilla. I tried to find some locally and couldn't.......but I think Whole Foods might have it, or some online place like King Arthur's.
I'm starting to realize that there's so many variations.......and they all sound goooood! I've also read that if you're using granulated sugar, you can put a little in there and mix it in the blender. I used XXX powder, and was afraid the liquid vanilla might do something weird, so I didn't use it. I think the flavored creamers would be fine too......and would probably add a little thickening to the hot chocolate, since some recipes call for powdered creamer.