Baking Queen

There's a reason why my gamer tag is CooknQueen. I love to cook! No surprise there, right? Well today, I am Baking Queen because I am mixing up something delicious in the kitchen.

First on the list is Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Mix.

I absolutely love hot chocolate and there is nothing better than homemade.. so I made a bunch from scratch. Here's the recipe via AllRecipes.com

Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Mix

Servings: 24 

1.5 cups Splenda or other no calorie sweetener. granulated

1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer (your choice flavor)

1 cup dry milk powder

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

The directions are pretty simple: Combine all in a blender and pulse until fine, then dump in an air tight container. 

I used Hershey's Special Dark unsweetened cocoa powder, because according to the reviews, it gave for a much more chocolatey taste than regular unsweetened. I recommend using the blender (or Magic Bullet) to pulse the dry milk powder and sugar substitute together, as it makes the powders finer. 

Naturally, after making a mess in the kitchen making this cocoa mix (it gets everywhere!) I had to try out a cup. I heated up some milk in a microwave and put in 2 tablespoons of cocoa mix. It dissolved simply, completely (better than I can say for any store bought brand) and it turned a kind of purple color. Probably because of the extra dark chocolate, but it's tasty. It's a chocolatey treat that doesn't taste sugary or overly sweet. Just the right amount. 

I packaged it up in a mason jar and made a little card with some ribbon on it:

Drink Me! Yes a little reference from Alice in Wonderland :)

Instructions and Nutritional Information :)

Next up on my list was sugar cookies with peppermint frosting. I love sugar cookies, probably more than any other cookie, if you can believe that. 

So I got a packaged cookie mix, which was said to yield 3 dozen cookies, but I made the bigger version (using tablespoon-sized drops instead of teaspoon). I got a little under 3 dozen that way- 33 cookies. I made them according to the directions and while the cookies were cooling, I put a drop or two of peppermint extract in store bought frosting, and mixed it up really well. It had just the perfect amount of peppermint flavor. A little goes a long, long way here. 

I iced the cookies and then let them sit out for a bit so the frosting would stiffen up, making them easier for packaging. 

They are so tasty

About 2 dozen cookies fit in here 

I got extra bakey today because we are going to Valpo tomorrow morning to visit with Brian's grandparents and we are celebrating Christmas early. What better way to test my food gifts than on unsuspecting grandparents hehehe

Everyone is getting a jar of cocoa mix this year, but I think I will probably not do the cookies again. I might make Oreo truffles or peanut butter balls for everyone else :) Yes I spoiled the surprise... but come on, who doesn't love food gifts??? That's right, no one. Everyone loves them.

In addition to being extra bakey, I got extra cleany too. I did 3 loads of dishes by hand, 2 loads of laundry, and I gave Max a bath. So I am exhausted and it's time for bed. I'm up at 9:30 to pack and get ready (hair and make up etc) Nighty night.