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The Student News Site of Central Oregon Community College

The Broadside

The Student News Site of Central Oregon Community College

The Broadside

Easy last minute Christmas gifts

Easy last minute Christmas gifts

Hot Chocolate Cones

What you need:

  • 3/4 cup hot cocoa mix
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chip (optional)
  • 1/4 cup red and white M&M’s plain chocolate candy (optional)
  • 3/4 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1 large red gumdrop

Here’s how:

  1. Pour the cocoa mix into a 6 x 12 clear cone bag and seal with a clear rubber band; trim 1 inch above band.
  2. Place the filled bag into a second cone bag, flattening the top.
  3. Layer either the chocolate chips or the M&M candies followed with the mini-marshmallows.
  4. Top all off with a red gumdrop and secure the bag with the last rubber band.
  5. Attach a tag for instructions on making the hot chocolate. Divide the hot chocolate mix into thirds, place in a cup and fill with 3/4 cup boiling water.
  6. Top each cup with equal amounts of chocolate chips and marshmallows, enjoy.

Cookie mix

What You’ll Need:

Here’s how:

  • Carefully empty the contents of the cake mix package into your quart-sized wide mouth Mason Jar, and gently pat down the top.
  • Pour in the Cinnamon Chips.
  • Put the silver jar topper on top, and place a 6″ doilie on top, then screw on the jar’s lid.
  • Wrap some burlap or tie a bow around the middle.

Attach a Label with Baking Instructions:

  • Attach a label {or you can add the instructions to the top of the jar’s lid} with the following baking instructions.
  • Beat together 2 eggs and 1/2 cup Vegetable or Canola Oil in medium bowl.
  • Pour in entire contents of jar, and stir well with spoon.
  • Chill dough for 15 minutes in the refrigerator prior to baking.
  • Then, drop onto ungreased non-stick cookie sheet in rounded balls.
  • Bake for approx. 8 – 9 minutes {or until done} at 350 degrees.

 

Sugar scrub

What you need:

  • salt or sugar
  • oil (I prefer organic extra virgin coconut oil, but you can use any type of oil)
  • a bowl
  • essential oils if you choose
  • a spoon
  • loofah mitt (or you can use your hands)

Here’s How:

  1. For this body scrub, you can use salt or sugar. Sugar can be gentler on the skin. Just make sure to choose a sugar or salt that has small granules that won’t tear at skin. A basic table salt or sugar works wonderfully. If you have super sensitive skin, you might opt for a dark brown sugar.
  2. Choose an oil. You can use baby oil or any of the following: organic extra virgin coconut oil, sweet almond oil, safflower, vegetable.
  3. You want 1 part oil to 2 parts sugar or salt. Place anywhere from a few tablespoons to a cup of salt or sugar in a container. Place half that amount of oil. Mix with a spoon. Don’t freak out if the salt settles to the bottom. It’s virtually impossible to keep it mixed.
  4. If you want your scrub to smell divine, put 5 drops of an essential oil into your mixture. Mix with spoon.

 

Chocolate Covered Spoons

What You’ll Need:

  • Plastic Spoons
  • 1 pkg. Chocolate Chips {semi-sweet or dark}
  • 1 pkg. White Chocolate Baking Chips  {if making a smaller batch of spoons, just use 1/2 the package}
  • Wax Paper
  • Cookie Sheet

What You’ll Do:

First, place a sheet of wax paper on your cookie sheet.

You can melt chocolate in your double boiler or by simmering on your stove, but my favorite method is… in the microwave! {easy!}

If using the microwave method, start by microwaving dark chocolate chips for 30 seconds {in microwave safe bowl}, then stir. Then… continue to microwave in 10 second increments, stirring each time just until they’re melted and smooth. {be careful not to overdo it} I usually wait until just a few pieces are left in chocolate chip form, and stir until smooth.

Once it’s creamy and smooth, dip just the lower part of the spoon in the chocolate mixture, then transfer to your wax paper covered cookie sheet.

In a separate bowl, melt the white chocolate chips and stir until creamy.  Drizzle over dark chocolate spoons using a squeeze bottle with a narrow spout, or you could also use a fork dipped in the melted chocolate and drizzled over.

Place in refrigerator, and let the chocolate set as it cools. {approx. 30 minutes}

Enjoy in your next cup of cocoa or coffee, or give some as a gift!  You can wrap the end of the spoons up in a little cellophane or the end of a ziploc bag snipped off and tied with a pretty little bow.

 

The Broadside staff

(Contact: [email protected])

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