Cookie Gift Baskets Tip & Recipe Blog

• 2 qt. apple cider

• 3/4 cup lemon juice

• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

• 8 whole cloves

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 3/4 cup rum, optional

• Additional cinnamon sticks, optional

In a large saucepan, combine all the ingredients except rum and additional cinnamon sticks; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Remove spices; add rum just before serving if desired. Serve hot with cinnamon sticks, if desired.

• 3 1/4 cups 2% low-fat milk, divided
• 6 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder, perferably Dutch-processed
• 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup half-and-half or light cream

Recommendation: Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder, which has a milder flavor than regular unsweetened cocoa powder.

1. In a 1-quart microwave safe pitcher, heat up 1/2 cup of milk 1 minute.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and sugar. Add to the hot milk, stirring with a long spoon until mixture is smooth and syrupy. If lumps form, whisk to break them up.
3. Add the vanilla and half-and-half or light cream. Fill the rest of the pitcher with milk, stir, and heat in the microwave 2 minutes. Remove and stir, and then heat another minute, or until almost steaming.