Treat for Santa

If you have children in your house, pull them in your lap and read this column with them. We're going to talk about a special treat for Santa Claus.

It's not too late to plan a delicious drink for the jolly old elf. By the time he gets to your house, he will have had all the milk he wants, I suspect. So why not fix him something different, and something warm?

If you have hot cocoa mix at your house, you shouldn't have any trouble making a special drink.

For a mocha flavor, you can mix in some coffee granules. For chai, add some spice for a delicious drink. And definitely top them both with a dollop of whipped topping. Yum.

Don't worry about keeping the drink warm. Santa has magical powers and can probably warm it up himself. And I'm sure it would also be quite good cold.

Santa's not the only one who would enjoy these delicious chocolate drinks. Maybe you can make a hot chocolate drink for everyone in the family to enjoy after a trip caroling around the neighborhood or later this winter when you've been playing in the snow.



Hot Creamy Mocha

• 1/4 cup hot water
• 1 envelope (1 oz. each) milk chocolate hot cocoa mix
• 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
• 1/2 cup half-and-half (1/2 cup = 4 oz.)
• Whipped topping
• Ground cinnamon and cinnamon stick, optional

Mix hot water with cocoa mix and coffee granules. Add half-and-half; stir.

Microwave on high for 1 minutes; stir.

Garnish with whipped cream. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve with a cinnamon stick for stirring, if desired.

Makes 1 serving.

Swiss Miss



Chai Mocha

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 envelopes (0.55 oz. each) no sugar added hot cocoa mix
• 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
• 1 cinnamon stick*
• 1 whole clove
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• Whipped topping

Place milk, hot cocoa mix, instant espresso, cinnamon stick, whole clove, cardamom and ginger in small saucepan. Heat over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes or until hot, whisking occasionally.

Remove and discard cinnamon stick and whole clove. Pour into heat-proof glasses or mugs; top with whipped topping. Serve immediately.

Cook’s Tips:

No whole spices on hand? Substitute 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a dash ground clove for the whole. Reduce cardamom to a dash. Proceed with recipe as directed.

Makes 2 servings (3/4 cup each)

Adapted from Swiss Miss