How to create a simple hot chocolate bar?
Instructions
- Finely chop your chocolate using a sharp knife and place in a large heatproof bowl.
- Heat for 30 seconds at a medium-high heat (I use power level 7 out of 10).
- Remove from the microwave and stir the chocolate. ...
- Heat for an additional 15 seconds on medium-high power and stir again. ...
- Repeat until the chocolate is mostly but not fully melted. ...
How to create a festive hot chocolate bar?
To create your hot chocolate tray, follow these easy steps:
- Begin with clear glass containers for toppings, such as marshmallows and peppermint candies.
- Candy canes are a must. They make great stirrers and when they melt, you are left with delicious peppermint flavored hot chocolate.
- Add the actual hot chocolate. ...
- Lastly, add a few decorative touches to personalize your space. ...
How to setup an easy DIY hot cocoa bar?
- Get a tiered metal stand, a tray, a basket or even designate a small piece of furniture for your cocoa bar. ...
- Grab festive holiday mugs & napkins.
- Make sure you have plenty of cocoa mix, or mix up your own and put it in a jar.
- Marshmallows are a must!
- Have whipped cream in the fridge.
How to make Easy Homemade hot chocolate recipe?
If you don’t have the cocoa powder on hand but happen to have bars of semi-sweet chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips then this is the recipe and method I use:
- Heat 4 cups whole milk in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until nearly simmering.
- Remove from heat and stir in 6 oz semi-sweet chopped chocolate or chocolate chips and 2 Tbsp sugar.
- Whisk until melted then stir in 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.
How do you decorate hot chocolate?
3:157:09Perfect DIY Hot Chocolate Bar! (Hacks & Ideas + Crock ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTin. Then or some melted milk chocolate you're going to put a little dab into each liner and swirlMoreTin. Then or some melted milk chocolate you're going to put a little dab into each liner and swirl it around until it's covered.
What toppings can you put on hot chocolate?
What toppings to add to your customizable hot chocolate bar:marshmallows or mini marshmallows!toffee bits.coarse sea salt.mini chocolate chips.crushed peppermints or candy canes or soft peppermint sticks.cinnamon sticks.whoppers.milk chocolate truffles.More items...
How do you pimp up hot chocolate?
An easy way to add extra flavor to any cup of cocoa—be it out of the box or homemade—is to add a touch of your favorite spices. A sprinkle of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg or even cayenne can all be welcome warming additions.
How do you keep the water hot in a hot chocolate bar?
How to keep the water warm or milk for the hot cocoa bar? Simply place the water or milk in a crockpot and turn it on warm or low. If you don't have a crockpot you can also add the water to a large pot and simmer on the stove.
How do you keep hot chocolate warm for a crowd?
How do you keep hot chocolate warm at a party? It's important to serve the hot chocolate in a stainless steel Thermos that will keep hot chocolate warm on the bar. You can even label it hot chocolate and one for water if you're using hot chocolate sticks.
Is Hot Cocoa better with milk or water?
Use unflavored or vanilla soy milk. Believe it or not, you can also use water instead of milk. Water allows the chocolate to show off its true flavors and unique characteristics, however you lose the creamy feel and flavor.
What is hot chocolate bomb?
Hot cocoa bombs are hollow chocolate spheres filled with dry hot chocolate mix and marshmallows. You place the coco bomb in a mug and pour hot milk over it causing the chocolate sphere to “explode,” melt and turn into a delicious cup of hot chocolate!
How do you spice up Swiss Miss hot chocolate?
Add candied bacon, maple syrup, and whipped cream to your Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate for a delicious, warming, winter drink. Shutterstock. Add a splash of Bailey's, tequila, or rum to your hot chocolate. Make your hot chocolate adults-only by adding a splash of Baileys or tequila for extra warmth.
How do you gnaw hot chocolate?
Simply fill a large mug with hot milk and stir up a Gnaw hot chocolate treat with a swirl of melting milk, dark or boozy flavoured hot chocolate. For the finishing touch top with mini marshmallows.
What snacks go with hot chocolate?
17 Tasty Treats That Pair With Hot ChocolateMarshmallows. The classic topping for hot chocolate can also be eaten alongside it! ... Chocolate Chip Cookies. ... Sugar Cookies. ... Rolled Wafers (Piroulines) ... Donuts. ... Cheesecake Bites. ... Candy Canes. ... Chocolate Crinkles.More items...
What food goes with hot chocolate?
Salted soft and crunchy pretzels, spiced roasted almonds, roasted nuts, toasted pumpkin seeds, or tamari roasted chickpeas or almonds are excellent companions to the sweet chocolate. Pairing the sweet beverage with a morsel of salty cheese on a crunchy seed cracker is also a tasty option.
How do you serve hot drinks at a party?
If you're serving warm beverages, you can use a slow cooker or insulated urn to keep them hot. If you have to use the stove top, keep the heat very low or consider just warming small batches as you need them because the alcohol can easily cook off.
How do you make Starbucks hot chocolate taste better?
Hot Chocolate Ask for it with Vanilla Syrup if you want to make it the way Starbucks originally made it. Or add white mocha to make it sweeter and creamier.
Why do people put marshmallows in hot chocolate?
When it comes to hot chocolate add-ins, nothing beats traditional marshmallows or whipped cream. The lightness and creaminess created by melting marshmallows or whipped cream into hot cocoa to balance the thickness and richness of the chocolate perfectly.
What is hot chocolate bomb?
Hot cocoa bombs are hollow chocolate spheres filled with dry hot chocolate mix and marshmallows. You place the coco bomb in a mug and pour hot milk over it causing the chocolate sphere to “explode,” melt and turn into a delicious cup of hot chocolate!
What snacks go with hot cocoa?
17 Tasty Treats That Pair With Hot ChocolateMarshmallows. The classic topping for hot chocolate can also be eaten alongside it! ... Chocolate Chip Cookies. ... Sugar Cookies. ... Rolled Wafers (Piroulines) ... Donuts. ... Cheesecake Bites. ... Candy Canes. ... Chocolate Crinkles.More items...
Mugs
While disposable coffee cups might look more uniform, I personally prefer the look of a mismatched collection of coffee mugs. Clear out your cabinets because you'll likely need every mug in your stockpile. If you do have more guests than mugs, you can always purchase disposable coffee cups.
Hot Chocolate
Obviously the most important party of any hot chocolate bar is the... hot chocolate. Skip the mix and go for homemade to really wow your guests. Using a slow cooker is the way to go; the hot chocolate can be made entirely in the slow cooker and kept warm throughout the night.
Toppings
Now for the fun part! It's really up to you how crazy you want to go with your toppings. It's easy to go overboard and overwhelm your guests. Remember, you can only fit so much in a mug, so choose your toppings wisely! Here are some ideas:
Booze (Adults Only!)
If this is an adult-only hot chocolate bar, it's only made better with booze. From vodka to bourbon to whiskey, there is more than one way to spike your cocoa. Consider getting fun, flavored vodka like caramel, peppermint, or cherry. You also can't go wrong with Irish cream or peppermint schnapps.
Cookies
While hot chocolate is the star of the show here, a plate of cookies never hurt anything. Biscotti is great for dipping in hot chocolate. Other seasonal cookies include: ginger cookies, shortbread, and sugar cookies.
And, host a hot chocolate party this winter
Mackenzie Stratton is a food writer who covers global cooking techniques and culture. She's currently working on a local foods cookbook about Mexican cuisine.
The Guest List
It helps to start with a list of guests who will attend your hot chocolate bash to know not only how many people you are serving but also any specific diets you may need to adjust for. Specifically, allergies, ketogenic diets, and vegan diets may be the most strict to plan around.
Equipment & Dishware
A hot chocolate bar doesn’t require that much in the way of special appliances, but there are a few considerations you’ll want to plan for. Most obviously, you will need something to hold a big batch of hot chocolate in and ideally, one that can also keep it warm.
Ingredients & Toppings
With the guest list and most of the accessories in order, now is a good time to think on hot chocolate recipes as well as which toppings and finger-foods to include.
Make it Boozy
Of course, this may not be the vibe you’re going for but if it is, boozy hot chocolate is everything you imagine—delicious. Because chocolate is such a strong flavor choose smooth, barrel-aged liquors or high-quality, simple tasting bottles. Try one (or more!) of the following:
Set it All Up
The feng shui of the event is also good to consider, especially if you have more than a few guests coming. Of course, it all depends on the layout of your home but generally, you’ll want to designate an area where guests can kick-off shoes, hang up jackets, and gather around.
How & Where to Setup Your Hot Chocolate Bar
The first thing to think about is how and where to set up your hot chocolate bar. Choose a part of your house with enough space for everyone to gather around the table. Depending on the size of your hot chocolate bar, you can put it up on a bar or a table.
What to Put on Your Hot Chocolate Bar
Part of the fun in hosting a winter party is deciding what to put in your hot chocolate bar! Stick to tried-and-true classics or get creative with different toppings and add-ins to create your signature drink. Of course, what you put in your hot chocolate bar will depend on the amount of space you have.
Have Fun During This Winter Season
Winter might be cold be and dark, but with the hot chocolate bar ideas we shared above, you can introduce a warm ray of sunshine for those you care about.
Add a Wintry Tablecloth
A tablecloth not only adds a little flair, but it also makes the cleanup a little easier. Get creative with it; we suggest using a throw blanket or an oversized scarf for an extra warm feeling.
Include a banner or backdrop
Adding a backdrop to your table setting makes all the difference. If you’ve chosen a theme, it’s a great idea to incorporate that into the backdrop. Cut-out letters and paint them in bold colors to go with your decor.
Gather bar items
For displaying all of your items, you’ll need serving trays, wooden boxes, containers, and jars. Make sure items are on different levels for easy access, especially if you have a lot of things to place on the table. Paper cups can go on a cupcake or cake stand and any goodies can be displayed on a cutting board or large plate.
Create topping labels
Next, decide how you will display your toppings. Jars with spoons allow for a quick scoop, or you can choose to use small trays instead. Whatever you decide, don’t forget to label all your items. If you have a little extra time to get crafty, download our printable labels below, cut them out and glue or string them to your supplies:
Pair with sweet treats
Hot cocoa always calls for a sweet treat! Run to your local bakery and grab a couple of baked goods: pastries, cake, cupcakes, or cookies will do. Place those on a pretty tray or in a nice jar to complement the decor. Another great idea is to have a cookie swap with all your friends.
Include creative chocolate stirrers
If you want to impress your guests, here is a little creative trick: hot chocolate sticks. These can make variations of hot chocolate such as salted caramel, s’mores, coffee or mint. All your guests have to do is dunk these into a mug filled with warm milk and wait until the chocolate melts.
Decor
How to style a hot chocolate or cocoa bar? You can place Christmas trees (mini versions), make evergreen runners, garlands and arrangements. Add pinecones, paper buntings and garlands, candle lanterns, floral arrangements, ornaments or go for fall decor with leaves, fruits and pinecones if it’s a fall wedding.
What To Serve
Besides hot chocolate, cocoa and coffee, offer various kinds of sweets, candies, cookies, candy canes, marshmallows and various syrups and toppings for drinks. Make salt caramel and various chocolate spoons, go for everything that is related to hot cocoa for you – make your guests happy and cozy! Get inspired!
Hot Chocolate Bar Ideas From My Favorite Party Planners
Hot chocolate bar ideas are perfect to collect for the holiday season. I love Christmas time and having a cup of cocoa makes everything more magical.
Outdoor Hot Chocolate Bar Ideas
Jordan's Easy Entertaining has a simple setup with food trays and hot beverage dispensers. It's a great way to share a cup with neighbors and friends.
Indoor Christmas Cocoa Bar Ideas
I'm loving the industrial vibe of this modern cocoa bar by Mint Event Design. Adding the extra treats turns this simple bar into a full on dessert buffet.
Hot Chocolate Bar for Kids
When it comes to the kiddos, pump up the color, add a few fun details, and make reindeer donuts like these from Pop of Gold.
Fun Ways to Serve Toppings
Mix-ins and topping options are a HUGE part of an epic hot chocolate bar. So how will you serve yours?
Hot Chocolate Signage
No matter how you set up your hot chocolate bar and which toppings you choose, using printables is a great way to let people know their options
Love These Hot Chocolate Bar Ideas?
I hope you loved all these hot chocolate bar ideas as much as I do. Did you find any holiday inspiration? Whatever your style, wherever you plan to serve, and no matter the size of your guest list, there's a hot chocolate bar for you!
The Guest List
Equipment & Dishware
- The Main Attraction
A hot chocolate bar doesn’t require that much in the way of special appliances, but there are a few considerations you’ll want to plan for. Most obviously, you will need something to hold a big batch of hot chocolate in and ideally, one that can also keep it warm. This makes a crockpot or slow co… - Servingware
Apart from what you’ll use to hold the hot chocolate, it’s good to consider what you’ll use to serve the toppings and/or snacks. You can create a tablescape of the supplies and ingredients or make a giant hot chocolate board. Things to consider: 1. Jars, ramekins, or mise en place bowls 2. Me…
Ingredients & Toppings
- With the guest list and most of the accessories in order, now is a good time to think on hot chocolate recipes as well as which toppings and finger-foods to include. Of course, you can always opt for the old-fashioned hot chocolate recipe, but if you want to switch things up, there are endless hot chocolatetwists to try (including frozen hot chocolate). Equally, toppings can be as tr…
Make It Boozy
- Of course, this may not be the vibe you’re going for but if it is, boozy hot chocolate is everything you imagine—delicious. Because chocolate is such a strong flavor choose smooth, barrel-aged liquors or high-quality, simple tasting bottles. Try one (or more!) of the following: 1. Brandy 2. Cognac 3. Whisky 4. Bourbon 5. Dark rum 6. Vodka Many liqueurs play well in a boozy hot choc…
Set It All Up
- The feng shui of the event is also good to consider, especially if you have more than a few guests coming. Of course, it all depends on the layout of your home but generally, you’ll want to designate an area where guests can kick-off shoes, hang up jackets, and gather around. Next, decide where you want to set up your hot chocolate bar. To account for any spills, consider a sm…