Crazy for Cocoa
By Melissa Campeau
Did you freeze your tootsies while you were waiting for the bus? Get numb fingers while shoveling the sidewalk? Give in and wear a hat to keep warm, even though you killed your ‘do? Then you definitely deserve something decadent. But why settle for the same old treats? Try our twist on two classics: regular ol’ hot chocolate becomes minty and super-rich, and doughnut holes become pretty snowball snacks.Candy Cane Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
• 4 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
• 4 tbsp. light brown sugar
• 5 cups milk
• 2 oz semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 4 to 6 drops of peppermint extract, to taste
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Mini candy canes (optional)
Making the Hot Chocolate
In a medium saucepan, mix cocoa and sugar together with a little milk to form a smooth paste. Add rest of milk and heat gently. When mixture is warm, add chocolate. Whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is frothy. Pour into mugs and add drops of peppermint extract, to taste. (Be careful not to add too much! A little goes a long way.) Top with whipped cream and hang a candy cane over the edge of each mug. (Makes 4 mugs of hot chocolate.)
Snowball Snacks
Ingredients
• 3⁄4 cup powdered (icing) sugar
• 11⁄2 tbsp. boiling water
• 1⁄2 tsp. vanilla
• 24 doughnut holes
• 3⁄4 cup finely chopped walnuts (or other nut)
• 3⁄4 cup shredded coconut
Making the Doughnut holes
Mix sugar, water and vanilla. Roll doughnut holes in mixture, then roll them in the chopped nuts and/or shredded coconut. Place on waxed paper in the fridge for about an hour to set and dry.
