Instant Chai Latte Mix

So after mother nature has been teasing us with semi-warm weather (low to high 40s) she hits us with a blizzard just to be followed by more warm weather.  So after coming inside after being pelted with large wet snow flakes from getting my daughter on the bus, I came inside and made a hot cup of tea.

Now I have never been to Starbucks.  Ever.  In my entire life.  Yes, I live a very sheltered life, but I am too cheap to spend that much money on a cup.  So when I saw this mix I was intrigued.  I have never had Chai, I am not even entirely sure how it is pronounced, but I have been told it tastes like pumpkin pie.  And that it does.  This drink was amazing (even though I cringe every time I think about the fact that I spent $11 on a bottle of ground cardamom, you know it smells like gumdrops?!)  My mom is even hooked on it.  This recipe makes about 1 1/2 quarts of mix, roughly 112 cups.  

Instant Chai Latte Mix

adapted from The Cheeky Kitchen

1 Cup Non Fat Dry Milk Powder

1 Cup Non Dairy Creamer

1 Cup French Vanilla Non Dairy Creamer

1 1/2 Cups White Sugar

2 1/2 Cups Unsweetened Instant Tea

2 tsp Ground Ginger

2 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1 tsp Allspice

1 tsp Nutmeg

1 tsp Ground Cloves

2 tsp Ground Cardamom

1/2 tsp White Pepper

In a large bowl, combine milk, both creamers, sugar and tea.  Stir in spices.  In a food processor, blend 1 Cup at a time, until it is a fine powder.  This is important because it grinds the milk to it is evenly distributed and so the sugar doesn't settle at the bottom.  Store in an air tight container.  

Mix 2 heaping spoonfuls into a mug of hot water or milk.  I prefer to use hot milk with a little bit of agave nectar mixed in.  I like my drinks sweet.

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Hot Cocoa Mix

If you're living in Wisconsin like I am, where it's -10 degrees outside but feels like -20 with the wind chill and under a wind chill advisory, you may be tempted to grab some hot cocoa like me.

(my camera wasn't cooperating for these photos)

I hate coffee.  I don't like the taste of it.  If I ever went to a Starbucks I'd be the one special ordering it so I don't taste the coffee (Yes I live a sheltered life).  I used to drink it in the morning to get me through the day though.  I would load it with sugar and a chocolate caramel creamer.  It actually tasted decent when I was done with it, however, my body didn't like it and I would go into details, you don't want to hear them. While I miss the caffeine in the morning, I'll be happy with this.  

I do love hot cocoa, drinking it at all times of the year.  I don't like the mixes you get from the store.  They tend to get expensive if you're buying a lot and they taste bland.  I'm too lazy to stand at the stove to make some.  So here I bring you a homemade powdered mix.  I'm on my 3rd container of it this winter (yes I drink a lot of it, I really like hot cocoa), usually having a couple cups during the day.

This recipe makes A LOT.  So make sure you have a large container on hand to store it in.

Hot Cocoa Mix

10 Cups Dry Milk

5 Cups Powdered Sugar

2 Cups Dutch Processed Cocoa

2 Cups Chocolate Powdered Non Dairy Creamer

1 Package Candy Canes (optional)

In a very large bowl (see above) mix together milk, sugar, cocoa, and creamer. If using candy canes, crush to a powder in a food processor and add to the mix.  Store in an air tight container.

This is the container I use to hold it all in.  Very large.

To serve, mix 4 Tbsp with a cup of hot milk or water.  Top with some mini marshmallows if you'd like.

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