DIY Hot Cocoa Bar

      As part of a Christmas gift this year we received the adorable red trunk pictured above and wanted to utilize/re-purpose it into a display piece.  The idea of a cocoa bar was born.       Are you feeling crafty now? Make one and share your photos with me over on my Facebook Page.  (I'm also posting three dry mixes you can make.) 
     We wanted something useful added in our new renovated basement, and a hot cocoa bar fit the bill perfectly!  The supplies needed are up to you.   It can be as simple as:  a few pint sized jars labeled and set out in a row, set on a tray, or set in a box you can decorate OR as elaborate as you want with lots of cute additions to go along with hot cocoa.  Your imagination is all that's needed!  The only modification I needed to make was to add a platform inside the trunk.  I took a large shoe box and decorated that, placed it inside the trunk so that the jars have a steady, elevated platform to set on while in the trunk.  I do like the Kerr pint sized jars better for this application too (they don't have embossing on one side of the jar, perfect for my labels.)  
       Included in our hot cocoa bar: Candy Canes, Peppermint Balls, Dark Chocolate Shavings, Peppermint Snow, 3 types of Hot Cocoa, Cookie Bits, S'mores Bark, Chocolate Chips, Ginger Snaps and Mini-Marshmallows.  *Not pictured, mugs and spoons. (I'm looking into making homemade candy mixing spoons for the cocoa) and our electric tea kettle for on-demand hot water or hot milk. 
     I agree with my husband, our basement is slowly becoming a place we don't want to leave. In the past the large room was just a room I had to walk through to get to our laundry room. Sure, the 'old basement' served it purpose back when our son was young and had friends over. Back then it was THE supreme 70-80's hang-out complete with dark burnt orange carpeting, an almost burlap type wheat colored wallpaper, with one wall entirely covered in a photo wallpaper of tropical plants.  That room was also the lost cavern for quickly forgotten old sofas, an outdated 80's entertainment center, clunky end tables and a large coffee table.  Happily now, we took the time and lots of sweat equity and renovated it all ourselves from chalk painting old furniture, building new pieces and installing a hardwood floor - the small addition of the homemade hot cocoa bar seems like a bit of the cherry on top of the basement sundae.  Our basement is now a cozy place for us!  
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Homemade Hot Cocoa - using Milk to serve
by: Martha Stewart
makes 5 3/4 Cups dry mix  

Dry Mix Ingredients: 
3 1/2 Cups Sugar
2 1/4 Cups Cocoa 
1 Tablespoon Table Salt

Directions: 
*when making mix 2 Tbs dry cocoa mix to 1 Cup warmed/hot milk.  
This dry mix can be kept in the pantry, in airtight container for 6 months.
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Homemade Hot Cocoa - using Water to serve
 by Pioneer Woman

Dry Mix Ingredients: 
2 cups Confectioners Sugar
1 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
2 cups Powdered Milk Or Instant Nonfat Dry Milk

Directions: 
​In a large bowl, sift the confectioner’s sugar, then the unsweetened cocoa, to get rid of any lumps. Stir in the powdered milk, and whisk well until everything is combined. Add mini marshmallows to the container, if desired.  
This dry mix can be kept in the pantry, in airtight container for 6 months.

*When making combine equal parts hot cocoa mix and hot water. 
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Homemade Hot Cocoa using Splenda - using any liquid to Serve 
by Raven
2 cups Malt powder (can use powdered milk but I prefer the flavor of Barley Malt) 
1 cup dark unsweetened cocoa powder and 
2 cups Splenda  

*When making combine equal parts dry with any liquid. 
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DIY and Photos: By Diane Baker
Cocoa Recipes Courtesy of:  Martha Stewart,  Pioneer Woman & Raven
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