A perennial winter favorite, hot cocoa with all the trimmings (mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and a cherry-red gumdrop) sports an even sweeter look packaged as a cone. This makes a great gift for babysitters, teachers, and neighbors. Be sure to add a tag letting your recipients know the cone contains enough for four servings.

The secret ingredient in this mix is the mini chocolate chips, which melt when combined with the boiling water and give the cocoa an extra-rich flavor. The recipe makes enough for four gift-size portions, each of which can be measured into a small plastic bag and tucked into a cup or mug filled with mini marshmallows, candy stick stirrers, and a spoon. Wrap each filled gift cup in cellophane and don’t forget to include a tag with the following instructions: “Spoon 3 or 4 generous tablespoons of cocoa mix into your cup (depending on the size), add boiling water, and stir well.”

This was refreshing and delicious and not as heavy as cake or pie for desert.

These make a great gift for a teacher or grandmother.

If you click on the diagram of the cross, it will be larger and you can see how the clothespins should be lined up. Or, you can right click on the diagram and save it to your computer and print it out.

When I make this at Christmas, I leave out the currants and add 1/2 cup candied cherries and 1/2 cup candied pineapple.