I know spring is on the way but recently I was at a friend's house. Her 5 older children and my 2 older children were playing outside in the snow. When they came in everyone was in the mood for hot cocoa. My friend whipped out a gallon ice cream container full for hot cocoa mix, I was in awe. I asked where she got the recipe and she said Betty Crocker. We were out of cocoa mix at home so I decided to purchase the ingredients next time around.

Then I realized I could adjust them to my taste. Here's the basic recipe

Hot Cocoa Mix

3 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 cup powdered nondairy creamer
1/2 cup sifted unsweetened cocoa  powder

Combine all ingredients and store in air tight container

To mix: 1/3 cup mix in a mug and 3/4 cup boiling water (note I think you should use at least one cup water otherwise it is too strong).

So since I am allergic to dairy products I decided to use Better than Milk--Soy powder in Vanilla flavor. I also went to Trader Joe's and got their cocoa and I left out the nondairy creamer.

Once I went to a church women's retreat with my mom, grandma and aunts. The resort had amazing hot cocoa--thick and rich. This mix reminds me of that. I won't buy hot cocoa mix again and the price is hard to beat!