A great baby shower favor for a winter baby shower is instant hot cocoa mix. Instead of buying some packets from the store it is easy to make your own with this recipe. Put them in baby food jars for that extra special touch.

For this favor you will need:

• baby food jars


• fabric cut into 4 inch rounds or squares


• ribbon


• hot cocoa recipe


• mini marshmallows, optional


• cards with directions for making cocoa

The size of the baby food jars will determine how much hot cocoa you will need. A 4 oz jar should allow for approximately 1/2 cup (2 servings) of cocoa mix without marshmallows. A 6 oz jar should allow for just over 1/2 cup (about 2 servings) of cocoa mix with marshmallows. You can also use mason jars for larger servings.

Remove labels from the baby food jars. Clean jars and lids well. You can clean the jars in the dishwasher if you place them in the top rack. Prepare mix as indicated below. Fill jar to top or leave room for mini marshmallows. Place the lid on the top. If possible, cut the fabric with pinking shears. Pinking shears prevent the fabric from fraying. Take a 4 inch round or square of fabric, secure it temporarily to the lid with a rubber band while you tie the ribbon around the lid. You can leave the rubber band on if the ribbon covers it. Attach the directions (found below) to the jar with a label, or to the ribbon with a card.

Hot Cocoa Recipe

• 2 C nonfat dry milk


• 1 C sugar


• 1/2 C cocoa, unsweetened


• 1/2 C non-dairy creamer


• dash of salt

Combine all ingredients and store in a in tightly sealed container. Nonfat dry milk is not a fine powder. This means that your hot cocoa mix will not look like a fine powder. This is normal.

* Makes about 4 cups of hot cocoa mix.

Directions:

Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of mix to a mug and fill with 8 oz hot water. Stir to blend. Add some marshmallows or cream.

You can include your baby shower theme with the fabric you choose. Some companies even personalize favor tags for do it yourself favors. Get a group of friends and family together to help you assemble the favors. Make a cup of hot cocoa while you're at it!

© Copyright 2009 Christina Cermak, All Rights Reserved.
info@babyshowerdepot.com