If you’re hosting Bunco this month, think warm and cozy. If you have a fireplace, crank it up. Consider a plush white ball (aka snowball) or a plush snowman as a Traveler. Serve warm drinks, maybe a warm appetizer, and a warm dessert (like the super yummy one below). Decorate with paper snowflakes, snowflake tablecloths, and anything else you can find that says “cold” to you.
To add a little something special to the dessert, print out a simple snowflake design, cover with waxed paper, and pipe out melted almond bark (tip: use a plastic bag with a small hole to pipe), then lay a snowflake atop each person’s dessert…it’ll make your guests feel special that you took the time to make it so pretty (and delish).
Here are a few more theme suggestions for January: Merry Midnight, Let it Snow, Brrrrr, Pajama Party, or Touchdown (think Superbowl)
A pajama party is always fun and so comfy! Ask everyone to wear their fuzzy PJs and have a contest on the best (or warmest, silliest, etc.). Serve hot cocoa with marshmallows and popcorn. But be careful…you might end up with overnight guests! lol
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Below you’ll find a recipe for Mocha Mystery Cake. This cake is so yummy and so easy! It’s been in my family for as long as I can remember. Just the perfect dessert for cold winter nights!
Mocha Mystery Cake
INGREDIENTS
Batter:
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cocoa
2 tablespoons melted margarine
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Topping:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 cup strong black coffee
DIRECTIONS
To make the batter, sift sugar, flour, baking powder, salt & cocoa together. Blend margarine into flour mixture until crumbly. Add milk and extracts. Stir to make the batter. Pour/spread batter into greased 8” x 8” pan.
To make the topping, in a separate bowl, mix 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa. Sprinkle over batter then pour 1 cup strong black coffee over top. Do not mix further, just put it in the oven to bake (that’s the mystery part).
Bake 40 minutes at 350°F. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
The mystery is how the batter/cake part gets on the top and the gooey, hot fudgey, chocolatey stuff gets on the bottom!