The last four weeks of 52 Weeks are going to be holiday themed, so prepare yourself. Recipes, music, maybe even a read or two. I’m not entirely sure myself what’ll appear!

For today though, I have two recipes that I’ll be working into our Yule celebrations this year, and a favorite Yule song of mine. The cookies are new – we found some vanilla peppermint baking chips at the Bulk Barn, and I’ve been dying to use ‘em…

Enjoy!

Hot Cocoa From Scratch

Ingredients

1/3 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 c honey
1/2 c sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 c boiling water
3 1/2 c milk
1/2 c coffee cream or 10% whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Combine cocoa, sugar, honey and salt in a pan and add the boiling water. Gently ease this into a boil, stirring constantly. Simmer for about two minutes, until the ingredients are well incorporated. Stir in the milk and bring to just under a boil, very gently so as not to scorch the milk! Continue stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla. Divide between mugs (two super-sized cocoa mugs, or four regular mugs) and add cream to taste.

Chocolate Peppermint Vanilla Chip Cookies

Ingredients

1 3/4 c flour
2 tbsp cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
1/2 c marg or butter, room temp
1 c white sugar
2 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 egg
1 c peppermint vanilla baking chips

Directions

Mix the first five ingredients and set aside. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler, or carefully in the microwave, and set aside to cool. Beat marg/butter and sugar until fluffy, and add the egg. Add the melted chocolate, mix well. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just blended, then add the chips. Give it a good few stirs to distribute the chips. Chill for at least an hour, overnight is better. Drop teaspoon sized balls onto cookie sheet, and bake at 375 for 8-9 minutes – no longer! Cookies will be soft.

You may want to use parchment paper to line the cookie sheet.

One other thing – my short story collection, Into a Long Ago Future, is now available 50% off! Use the code M5Z3Z7SB at the cart.

’til next week, Happy Holidays!
<3 JL