Make cute hot cocoa gift jars for gift this year!
These cute jars go in the slow cooker along with a half-gallon of milk for a perfect treat.
I created these adorable Hot Cocoa Gift Jars for Christmas gifts. Most everyone makes hot chocolate during the holiday season and I have so many people to buy gifts for anyway. I made a few extra for our family, so after shopping or on Christmas eve I can easily make a really delicious homemade hot cocoa.
I use half-pint wide neck Kerr brand canning jars that I sanitize in the dishwasher. The only layer that takes some effort is the peppermint layer. For the peppermint layer, I put starlight candies in a large ziplock bag, and with a rolling pin, crush them.
For making the prepared jars of cocoa mix into hot cocoa, add the entire jar of prepared cocoa mix, and a 1/2 gallon of whole milk to a 5-quart or larger crock pot and cook on HIGH for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Or for the stove-top, cook on medium heat until melted and heated through.
More hot drinks to make in your slow cooker:
- Slow Cooker Candy Corn Hot Chocolate
- Slow Cooker Apple Cider
- Slow Cooker Strawberry Mulled Wine
- Slow Cooker Eggnog Lattes
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
This cocoa prepared is not overly sweet, it is just right. This makes about 8 servings of cocoa, I put the leftovers in the fridge and reheat in the microwave for the next night, still tastes great.
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Hot Cocoa Gift Jars
Ingredients:
Per Jar (1/2 Pint Size Jar, I use Kerr wide neck)
- 1/4 cup white sugar (regular granulated sugar, not powdered)
- 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies candy canes or starlight candies
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
For Serving
- 1/2 gallon whole milk
Instructions:
- Mix together the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the white chips in a small bowl, set aside.
- Add the layers down evenly into a ½ pint wide neck canning jar, starting with the sugar and ending with the chocolate chip mix. Place the lid on, and decorate if desired. Don't heap any of the measurements or you won't be able to get the lid on. Add a handwritten label with instructions.
To prepare the hot chocolate:
- Slow Cooker: In a 5-quart or larger slow cooker, add the contents of the gift jar and a ½ gallon whole milk. Stir, cover and cook on HIGH for about 1.5 hours until warm and everything is melted completely, stirring occasionally.
- Stove-top: In a large pot, add the contents of the gift jar and a ½ gallon of whole milk. Heat on medium-high heat until warm and everything is melted completely, stirring occasionally.
Sarah’s Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Ellie says
I love this idea! I plan on substituting the peppermint candies with purple melty mints and using these as wedding favors…since the mason jars seal so tight, there shouldn’t be a problem doing these a few weeks in advance, right?
Sarah Olson says
I did mine a few weeks in advance, the sugar and mints kind of stick together, but unpacks easily from the jars. If you are substituting the peppermint layer, do a test jar to make sure that layer will be sweet enough for the cocoa. 🙂
Jennifer says
It looks like more than 2 tbsp of the cocoa powder?? Or is it just layered around the edges to make it look like more?
Sarah Olson says
Yes 🙂 The jars are small (1/2 pint) and 2 Tbsp. is just a little smaller than a 1/4 cup. I hope this helps
Michelle says
Thank you for sharing! So lovely an idea!
Vannessa says
I love this idea and I especially love the rudolph mug. Can you tell me wherevyou got it? Have a happy holiday!!
Sarah Olson says
I think it was ShopKo about 5 years ago. Sorry that’s really no help. If you search Rudolph Mug Set on Ebay a few show up. 🙂
Mike Benayoun says
Very cute idea for holiday gifts!
Grandma Kc says
Everyone loves hot chocolate — what a “sweet” gift! I bet it tastes even better reheated!
Rachael Yerkes says
I love the directions are for crock pot too! What a fun idea! Thanks
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen says
Love this! Such a cute, homemade gift idea 🙂
Jen says
These are adorable, easy and perfect gifts! Love!!
Linda (Meal Planning Maven) says
I love making edible gifts and these look so fun! I’m sure they will be greatly appreciated by many friends and family on my holiday shopping list!
shelby says
absolutely adorable, I love giving and getting gifts like this!
Jerry Walch says
You have gone a long way to solving one of my gifting problems, Sarah. With my son, daughter in-law, stepson, stepdaughter, and seven grandkids, all living in snowy upstate New York, I will be making and shipping them a case of these gift jars. I will also be making these for my friends here in the Springs.