I am not a hot beverage person. I’ve never liked coffee, and if it’s possible, I enjoy tea even less. Hot chocolate is the only warm beverage I’ll touch, but even then, only on rare occasions. In high school and college I dated a guy who played hockey so I spent a lot of time in chilly ice rinks. I sometimes ordered hot chocolate, though if I’m honest, it was mostly for the purposes of keeping my hands warm π
This week, for the first time since the days of those hockey games, I found myself craving a warm mug of hot cocoa. A wave of brutal arctic air has settled over New England, and basically sapped me of motivation to do anything but hide under a giant blanket on the couch. I did go out to run errands one day and when I came back happened to be pulling in at the same time as my neighbor. We chatted for maybe 10 minutes, and by the time I got back inside my fingers hurt so much! I immediately decided to make myself hot cocoa to warm up.
The only problem was we don’t keep hot cocoa mix on hand since it’s such a rare treat. Fortunately, it takes all of about 3 minutes to whip up this awesome homemade version so I was enjoying my hot chocolate in no time! Rather than make a plain chocolate mix, I went with a peanut butter version and am so glad I did. The cocoa was rich and creamy with tons of both peanut butter and chocolate flavor. I know we’re well past Christmas, but I think packages of hot cocoa mix would make a lovely gift throughout the winter. You could even get fancy and include homemade marshmallows if you really wanted to impress π
Homemade Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa Mix
from Cook’s Country, February/March 2007
{Note: you can substitute white chocolate chips for the peanut butter chips to make classic hot cocoa instead.}
1 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
3/4 cup peanut butter chips
1/8 teaspoon salt
Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and stir to combine. Transfer half of the mixture to the bowl of your food processor and pulse until the peanut butter chips are finely ground. Transfer to an airtight container, and repeat with the other half of the mix. (You really want to be sure the chips are finely ground or you’ll find them clumped at the bottom of your mug of hot cocoa – I speak from experience…)
To make hot cocoa with the mix: Stir 1/3 cup of the mix into 1 cup of hot milk. Garnish with marshmallows, whipped cream, or your favorite topping before serving.
The mix will keep for 3 months if stored in an airtight container.
This is crazy but I just saw this recipe on their site and posted on their Facebook wall with a question about it! They mentioned cornstarch in the description b/c they said it thickens it, then in the ingredients list they don’t include it. So I wrote on their Wall asking. I’ve never done anything like that, ever!
And then…I open your post. What are the odds??!
Now I just HAVE to make this. Amazing looking stuff!
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@Averie – That’s too funny! I had that same question at first, but then I realized they were probably referring to the cornstarch contained in the confectioners’ sugar. I think most confectioners’ sugar has cornstarch added to it, which I believe prevents it from clumping π
Now you have me thinking about all of the chip possibilities…cinnamon chips (Mexican hot chocolate)…mint chips….Yum. Thanks!
I’ve never even heard of peanut butter hot cocoa but it sounds AMAZING! Can’t go wrong with choco + pb!
I tend not to like to drink my calories (I’d much rather eat them!) so hot chocolate is definitely a once-in-a-while treat for me also. But with peanut butter mixed in…it might become a daily occurrence.
How fun! I modified the hot cocoa recipe I have on my blog to be peanut butter by substituting the white chocolate chips for peanut but chips and loved it. Although next time I want to try the powdered PB.
Loooove this! Using the peanut butter chips is genius!
Love the addition of peanut butter chips. . .great idea!
I don’t usually indulge in hot chocolate, but oh my gosh, this sounds irresistible with peanut butter! It really would be a great winter gift, and probably more appreciated when there aren’t so many holiday goodies around the house.
I adore this. I actually do love hot beverages so it is right up my alley. Peanut butter seems like the perfect combination. Stay warm! I may need to make this over the weekend π
I love the idea of a make ahead, DIY hot cocoa mix. Plus, this sounds and looks amazing!
I am definitely a hot beverage person. I have been on a hot cocoa kick this year, but haven’t tried it with peanut butter – it sounds great!
Yum this looks like the perfect winter warming comfort drink!
I would be all over this stuff!! We love hot chocolate over here – although my husband is not really a peanut butter fan. Wonder if I could change his mind with this??
OMG! Peanut butter in the hot cocoa!!! I’ve gone to chocolaty peanut buttery heaven. π
I am totally a hot beverage person and I’m on board with this. It looks so good!
That mug of hot cocoa looks delightful. I’m not a huge beverage person either. The only drink I really drink is water, sometimes fruit juices and on rare occasions, hot cocoa. Every time I have hot cocoa I’m reminded of why I love it so much.
I am not a coffee drinker at all, I can do tea, and do it a handful of times in the winter, but that is it. I tend to avoid hot chocolate for the calories – but this one is amazing! I will take pb and chocolate in any form π
I love this so much! I don’t think I’ve ever had PB hot chocolate but I need it in my life.
Yum! Never thought to put peanut butter and hot chocolate together but sounds like a great combo!
Allie from http://theurbanfeast.wordpress.com/
Love this recipe! Will be linking back to this in my upcoming post π
I love the regular version of this hot chocolate mix, and I can’t believe I never thought to put peanut butter chips in. Oh, the possibilities! So smart.
What a wonderful idea! Your teal teaspoons are precious, too! π
What a wonderful idea! Your teal teaspoons are precious, too! π