Holiday gift ideas for Moms

I am not posting many GIFT guides this year, but I will do a few. 

For starters, I wanted to put together one for moms. You see, this year, I became a first-time mother....so, I know just how challenging motherhood can be.   Every so often it's nice to receive a little something new ....ya know.........like a gift!   What better place to-go for gifting to mom than Sur La Table ? Below are some of my favorite items over at Sur La Table for moms. 

Heck, or for anyone that loves to entertain or enjoy a nice hot chocolate at home.  Which gift would you buy your mama friend or your own mother?

 

Have a great weekend!!! 

P.S. on another note, I am currently working on a blog re-design, stay tuned! 

-post by jen ramos

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FOOD: The Best Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Marshmallows

Welcome Made By Girl readers! Jen from Pretty Eats sharing a sweet treat for the Holiday season. I've always been a fan, but this cocoa recipe will make it hard for you to say no to a second cup! Doubling up the chocolate is what takes this to the next level of decadence. The bonus? This cocoa recipe can be made vegan by simply using your favorite non-dairy milk and high quality vegan chocolate bar! To make this cozy treat special for the holidays, I've topped my mugs with peppermint and chocolate marshmallow snowflakes (easy recipe included below). Elegant, festive, and delicious, enjoy!

The Best Hot Cocoa Ingredients: makes 2 cups

• 2 1/2 c milk
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder
 • 1/4 c sugar
• 1/4 c dark chocolate bar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• pinch of sea salt

Directions:
• In a sauce pan, heat milk over medium-low heat.
• When milk is warm, gently whisk in cocoa, chocolate, sugar, and salt.
• When combined, remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
• Serve up in mugs and serve with marshmallows on top!

Homemade Marshmallows Ingredients: makes 10 2" marshmallows
 • 3/4 c sugar
• 1/3 c corn syrup
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
• 1/2 c water
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Cooking spray
• 1/4 c dark chocolate bar, shaved finely
• 2 candy canes, crushed
• 1/4 c white sugar

Directions:
• Spray a 9x9 baking dish with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper and spray again.
• In a kitchen mixer, combine 1/4 c water with gelatin. Allow to sit and soften for 5 minutes.
• In a saucepan, heat 1/4 c water, sugar, corn syrup, and salt to a boil. Stirring a bit, heat mixture to 238 F on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes.
• Slowly pour sugar mixture into gelatin mixture, with the mixer on low.
• Raise speed to high, gradually, and mix until mixture has doubled in size (8 minutes or so). Add vanilla, and mix for 1 more minute.
• Pour mixture into baking dish and allow to sit until cool, at least 4 hours.
• When cooled, spray cookie cutters with cooking spray and cut as many marshmallows as you can.
 • Top marshmallows with whatever coatings you'd like, candy canes, chocolate, or sugar. Moisten with a damp paper towel before dipping in toppings, to insure they stick well.
• Store in an airtight container for up to one week

-images and post by jen olson

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FOOD: MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE

Hi everyone! Lauren from Perpetually Chic, dropping in this month with a twist on a winter classic. With an early snowfall in many areas and frigid temps, there's nothing better than cozying up inside near the fire with a warm cup of hot chocolate. This Mexican Hot Chocolate is a take on a family favorite from growing up. Rich and creamy hot chocolate gets an unexpected, but oh-so-delicious spike from a dash of chili powder, cayenne, and cinnamon. Keep reading for the details!



Seriously--you'll be putting your can of hot cocoa mix away after trying this recipe, because making it from scratch on the stove is surprisingly easy. And you can adjust the spices to your preference, whether you want a subtle hint or a more flavorful kick. For the whipping cream, I like to add that little extra indulgence but not overdo it--I just add a small dollop to top off each cup, letting it immediately melt right into the cocoa.



Mexican Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
4 cups 2% milk
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup sugar
2 ounces of bittersweet chocolate, broken into pieces
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 cinnamon sticks, plus more for serving
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of chili powder

Instructions:
Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a simmer, then add the cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, cayenne and chili powder. Whisk until well combined. Cook until mixture is fully warmed, about 2 minutes. Whisk again just before serving. In a chilled metal bowl, combine whipping cream, sugar and cinnamon. Whisk with a hand blender on high speed until peaks form, about 1-2 minutes. Ladle the hot chocolate into cups, top with a dollop of whipping cream, sprinkle with a dash of chili powder, and garnish with cinnamon sticks.


-post by lauren craig

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Most Amazing Hot Chocolate at Marie Belle... (Via Made By Girl)

I went back home to NYC a few years ago to visit my family & I visited a little cafe called Marie Belle on Broome Street in Manhattan. I had NO IDEA what this place was about, but my experience was quite a PLEASANT one! I met one of the managers & they served my best friend and I Aztec hot chocolate in a small espresso cup. I looooove chocolate (especially dark) but when I saw this hot chocolate in that tiny espresso cup, I realized it was VERY thick!!

I had NEVER seen hot chocolate that thick & smooth looking in my life! I was anxious and curious to taste it....so I sipped it and it was AMAZING! I got instant chocolate EUPHORIA (which I get from really great chocolate) I felt so relaxed...

Do you know that feeling?? A Chocolate high some people like to call it...ever felt that??!?

Well, ever since I arrived back home from the NYC, I regretted not buying a container of Marie Belle's Aztec Hot Chocolate. I had been contemplating buying it online but never did....finally I walked into William Sonoma yesterday & to my surprise, there it was sitting on the shelf with my name on it. (Not really) So, I went for it even though it's $25 for a 20 oz container, the taste is worth it.

As for making it, I make mine European Style...its thick and you can even top it off with a bit of whipped cream!

images by jen ramos

image above via pretty little mess

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