Shoppers, sippers, and strollers came out in force for this year’s Chamber of Commerce Sip & Stroll. Filling parking spots up and down the street. It was just one of three events organized by Chamber director Sarah Middleton for this past Saturday. A big hit was the “location map” Middleton put out, helping shoppers stroll from store to store for a little sipping, and a little saving.
A highlight (at least, of the sipping part) was at Grandma’s Attic, where Missie Niederhauser had prepared absolutely to die for Crockpot Hot Chocolate. Which was so good I had to ask for the recipe! And if you’ve got two hours (!) to spend on making a cup of hot chocolate, you too can understand why this stuff puts anything you can buy in a pouch to shame.
Just combine 6 cups of milk with a cup and a half of heavy whipping cream, a 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk, 2 cups of chocolate chips (your choice, but these were the semi-sweet kind), and a teaspoon and a half of vanilla extract in a crock pot. Stir until it’s all blended together, and then heat on low for a few hours, stirring every so often, until it’s all melted together. Then give it a vigorous stirring before serving. With marshmallows for the kiddies, or cinnamon schnapps for your more adventurous grownups.
Other delightful beverages were on offer up and down the street. If you didn’t stroll out for a sip, you missed out on more than the savings.
