Homemade hot cocoa mix is a sweet and simple holiday gift idea. It’s even more adorable when it’s packaged to look like a cupcake! Below you’ll find the steps to create the most adorable hot cocoa gift!
Step 1: Make up a batch of homemade hot cocoa mix. I wrote a post for Parade Magazine this month with twelve different sensational hot cocoa recipes. You can treat any hot cocoa recipe as a hot cocoa mix by including only the dry ingredients. Be sure to provide instructions with the gift explaining which wet ingredients are needed to make the hot cocoa and how to prepare it.
Step 2: Purchase silicone cupcake liners to go along with your gift. Paper liners on their own won’t hold their shape when filled with homemade hot cocoa mix.
Bakery Elements Silicone Baking Cups by Sol Creek LLC in Red and Green Colors - Set of 12 Reusable Cupcake Liners in a Storage Container - Cakes, Muffin, Gelatin, Snacks, Candies, Frozen Treats, Ice Cream or Chocolate Dessert Molds - Bento Lunch Box Dividers - BPA Free Food Grade Silicone Non-stick Bakeware
You can buy silicone liners in a variety of colors via Amazon. I've only seen the clear ones that I used above at Crate and Barrel.
Step 3: Fill cupcake liners three quarters full with hot cocoa mix. This should be about three tablespoons of mix (the amount typically used for one very rich cup of hot cocoa).
Step 4: Top homemade hot cocoa mix with mini marshmallows.
Jet Puffed Mini Marshmallow, 16-Ounce Bags (Pack of 6)
These work well in a pinch. But, if you really want to impress, you could make homemade marshmallows.
Step 5: Use a chocolate-covered cherry as the cherry on top of the “cupcake”.
Step 6: Place the silicone liner inside of a festive paper liner. This obviously isn’t necessary, but it makes the whole thing cuter.
Small Holiday Cupcake Liners
Holiday cupcake liners are everywhere this time of year. If you can't find any near you or don't want to leave your house in the cold, you can always buy some online.
Step 7: Wrap each “cupcake” with plastic wrap and tie with a ribbon.
Ingredients
- 1 silicone cupcake liner
- about three tablespoons hot cocoa mix
- small handful mini marshmallows
- 1 chocolate-covered cherry
- 1 festive holiday paper cupcake liner
- plastic wrap
- ribbon
Instructions
- Fill silicone cupcake liner 3/4 full with hot cocoa mix.
- Top with mini marshmallows.
- Top with chocolate cherry.
- Place in festive holiday cupcake liner.
- Wrap in plastic wrap.
- Tie with a ribbon.
Notes
Remember to include instructions for making hot cocoa when giving the gift.
What an adorable idea! I often give jars of homemade hot cocoa mix as gifts. This is way cuter. I also like that these are single servings, making them a perfect little party favor type gift. I’m ordering the silicone baking cups–such a clever way to provide the necessary stability to the decorative paper cups.
I love the idea! So simple and cute
Instead of the silicone liners, I found paper souffle Cups, similar to ketchup cups, only bigger, at Michael’s. Their made by Wilton and in with the baking items. 50 to a package for about $3.