I think it's always nice to get or give a Starbucks card for a coffee treat from time to time, but even $5 gift cards can add up for friends and neighbors and teachers.
Giving homemade mocha mix is much cheaper and a jar of this mix is the equivalent of many, many mochas at Starbucks (which are sometimes too syrupy and sweet).
My mom has always had this mocha mix on hand and I've loved it since I was a kid. (She'd make it with decaf coffee so Kristen and I could have some too!)
In fact, I have lots of memories of sitting around a table (in the camper, in a condo in Breckenridge, in the kitchen, at a campsite), drinking mocha, eating Mom's Cookies, and playing Rummy 500.
I keep my mix in a big pickle jar--so I always have lots on hand.
I made small jars (I was out of big canning jars) of this mix for all my Girl Scout leaders at school. I cut a circle of Girl Scout scrapbook paper to cover the top of the canning jar (then put the ring on top) and made a label with ingredients (so recipients know what's in it in case of allergies) and directions.
Quick, easy, economical, and much appreciated!
Mocha Mix
(I usually make HUGE batches of this in my stock pot, so I've put larger quantities in parentheses if you want to quadruple the recipe)
- 1 cup (4 cups) unsweetened cocoa
- 2 cups (8 cups) sugar
- 2 cups (8 cups) nonfat dry milk powder (I've also used lactose free powder)
- 2 cups (8 cups) dry nondairy coffee creamer (you can also use a flavor like vanilla or hazelnut!)
- 1/2 cup (2 cups) instant coffee (regular or decaf--up to you!)
- 1 (4) vanilla bean, cut up (I sometimes leave this out--it's expensive!)
Stir together, mixing well. Store in jars and let sit one week before using.
To make mocha, add boiling water to 2 or 3 tablespoons of mocha mix in your favorite mug. Enjoy!
P.S. Save those jars--jam, spaghetti sauce, salsa, and so on--and you'll have all the containers you need by Christmas if you want to make this for teachers, neighbors, and friends!
My mom used to make this for us when we were kids too. Thanks for sharing the recipe. It brought back good memories!
Blessings - Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | January 30, 2009 at 06:13 AM
Great idea for gifts! How much boiling water?? You left it out.
I just re-read your "Living Simply" book (I'm Marla Taviano's younger sister) that I got for my birthday last year and I just love it so much! It has made my list (well, so far it's the only one on my list) of books to read once a year! Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration!
Posted by: Bethany | January 30, 2009 at 06:42 AM
Great idea for gifts! How much boiling water?? You left it out.
I just re-read your "Living Simply" book (I'm Marla Taviano's younger sister) that I got for my birthday last year and I just love it so much! It has made my list (well, so far it's the only one on my list) of books to read once a year! Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration!
Posted by: Bethany | January 30, 2009 at 06:42 AM
What a great idea, my mom used to make a cocoa-ish mix for camping ... I will have to get her recipe too!
Posted by: Becky Jo | January 30, 2009 at 06:43 AM
This is wonderful!
Thanks for sharing Joanne...
Adrienne
Posted by: Fuzzytop | January 30, 2009 at 06:47 AM
Oh, I like this idea! I'm drinking a Starbucks mocha right now...but only because I had a gift card.
Posted by: Melissa @ Breath of Life | January 30, 2009 at 06:54 AM
Oooo...thank you for the recipe! I have one for Chai mix...if you're interested I'll send it to you! Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Bobbi | January 30, 2009 at 07:44 AM
Great idea! Thanks a bunch...
Have a great day!
Posted by: Angie | January 30, 2009 at 08:24 AM
Checking in on my Seminary Student! :) Thanks for the great recipe. Sounds yummy.
Posted by: CarolinaMama | January 30, 2009 at 09:10 AM
Thanks for sharing the recipe.I have never had a homemade mocha. Only starbucks! I'm definately going to try it!
Posted by: mamasmitten | January 30, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Yummmy... Off to the grocery store to get what I'll need. My kids (and I) will love it.
Posted by: angela | January 30, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Fabulous idea for those coffee-lover friends of mine!
I have a tried and true homemade Chai Tea Mix and a French Vanilla Cocoa Mix (also make it with soy powder for my lactose intolerant daughter) recipe(s).
Just discovered your blog and thought I comment on the first post I read - it caught my eye!
Posted by: SentimentsbyDenise | January 30, 2009 at 07:09 PM
Ooh looks great! I shall make it one day!
Posted by: Puva | January 30, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Love it! Thanks! I usually cut and paste your recipes and then e-mail them to myself...am I allowed to request a separate link for you to add to the top of your page for all of the recipes you've put on here?? That's probably a lot to ask!!!
Posted by: Betsy | January 30, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Love it! Thanks! I usually cut and paste your recipes and then e-mail them to myself...am I allowed to request a separate link for you to add to the top of your page for all of the recipes you've put on here?? That's probably a lot to ask!!!
Posted by: Betsy | January 30, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Love it! Thanks! I usually cut and paste your recipes and then e-mail them to myself...am I allowed to request a separate link for you to add to the top of your page for all of the recipes you've put on here?? That's probably a lot to ask!!!
Posted by: Betsy | January 30, 2009 at 11:12 PM
wow, i don't remember clicking that 3 times...
Posted by: Betsy | January 31, 2009 at 06:41 PM
Just made a batch last week...could not wait the whole week until I tried it. I remembered your memory of playing cards while sipping mocha's with your Mom...just made three hot mochas for Dad and the boys was they shoot BB guns, BB pistols and air soft! Thanks for the great memory...off to do refills.
Posted by: Kimberly | January 02, 2010 at 03:59 PM