Hot Chocolate Bar Recipe
Host the coziest night with our Hot Chocolate Bar Recipe, featuring rich chocolate, milk, whipped cream, and playful marshmallow toppings.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Ladle
- Heatproof mugs (lots!)
- Small bowls or jars for toppings
- Cutting board and knife for chocolate or candy
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Optional: milk frother if you want fancy foam
Ingredients
For the Hot Chocolate Base:
- 4 cups whole milk or any milk you prefer
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate finely chopped
- 2 ounces milk chocolate finely chopped
- Optional: 1 tablespoon cocoa powder for extra richness
Toppings (Feel Free to Mix and Match):
- Mini marshmallows
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate chips
- Shaved chocolate or chocolate curls
- Crushed peppermint or candy canes
- Caramel drizzle
- Sprinkles
- Sea salt
- Cinnamon or nutmeg
- Biscotti or cookies on the side
Instructions
Step 1: Heat the Milk and Cream
- In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk and heavy cream over medium heat. Stir occasionally until it starts to steam—but don’t let it boil. This gentle heating helps develop that rich, velvety texture without scorching the milk.
Step 2: Sweeten and Flavor
- Add sugar and salt to the warm milk mixture. Stir until completely dissolved. Then, whisk in the vanilla extract. The vanilla adds that cozy, comforting aroma that will make everyone immediately smile.
Step 3: Melt the Chocolate
- Lower the heat to medium-low and slowly whisk in the chopped semi-sweet and milk chocolate until smooth and creamy. If you want a deeper chocolate flavor, sprinkle in the cocoa powder at this stage. Keep whisking until every bit of chocolate is melted and the mixture is glossy.
Step 4: Serve
- Use a ladle to pour the hot chocolate into mugs. Here’s where the fun begins: offer all your toppings in small bowls or jars, so everyone can get creative.
Step 5: Customize!
- Sprinkle, drizzle, and dunk to your heart’s content. Mini marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate curls, crushed peppermint, a pinch of sea salt—it’s your hot chocolate, your rules.