I’m always on the lookout for fun new ways to entertain…and anything that includes chocolate is a must for me. This year, I’ve been seeing more and more people talking about hot chocolate bars: a station where you can assemble your own gourmet mug of hot chocolate. This would be perfect for a drop-in holiday party, Christmas Eve with the family, or even a wintry birthday or baby shower! Here are some ideas for creating the perfect hot cocoa bar.
Display this free printable sign to let everyone know what’s available.
Pretty mugs make all the difference.
A wide variety of toppings allows everyone to customize their cup!
These caramel spoons would be a great way to stir in some unique flavours!
Get really fancy and make your own marshmallows.
You can even freeze whipped cream dollops.
For the adults, add peppermint schnapps and Baileys to the rotation.
Dipped marshmallows add a little flair and candy cane stir sticks are always a good idea!
Pirouettes and Pocky are another fun idea for stirrers.
Shredded coconut, nutella and even peanut butter make delicious mix-ins!
You can even make hot chocolate on a stick – just add steamed milk!
What would you add to a hot chocolate bar?
watermelon / 14206 posts
I went to a cookie exchange last weekend that had a hot chocolate bar. It was really fun! We got to keep our mugs, too.
pomelo / 5791 posts
So pretty!
blogger / clementine / 750 posts
This makes me happy….and really makes me want to have enough friends here to have a hot chocolate bar at a party sometime! A few years ago I went to a gingerbread house party and there was a mini hot coco bar—it was awesome!
blogger / persimmon / 1398 posts
Fun roundup! We are having a “hot cocoa” and movies gathering here for Mini and some of his friends during the break. I might snag some of these ideas!
blogger / apricot / 378 posts
I’m kind of obsessed with the idea of hot chocolate bars – I am thinking about doing on for my class Christmas party next week at school. Thanks for the ideas!
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
The one add in that blew my mind last year was bacon stir sticks! They must have cooked the bacon under a flatiron to make it straight. I wanted ten pieces, but I just took the one!
blogger / pomegranate / 3044 posts
Omg yum!
blogger / nectarine / 2600 posts
I so want to do this one day but we never have Christmas parties
blogger / pomegranate / 3491 posts
We were at a wedding last weekend with a hot chocolate bar that was HEAVENLY! Great round up of ideas.
apricot / 490 posts
Stop it! This is amazing. I just want this at home for my everyday use.
pomegranate / 3768 posts
we had one for DD’s first birthday and it was a hit!
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
Is it wrong to throw a party just to set up this bar this? I love hot cocoa! Letting guests keep their mugs is great alternative to the ubiquitous ornament favor.
guest
Tim Tams! Tim Tam slams are the best part of hot chocolate. They are chocolate sandwich type cookies from Australia, but you can get them in the US at World Market (but they’re called “Arnott’s” here, which is the brand name in Australia… confusing.) But you bite off opposite corners, and suck the hot chocolate through, and you’re left with an incredibly melty cookie!
coffee bean / 42 posts
I’ve never heard of this before – what a great idea! I love that it also works for all ages. @Mrs. Jacks: when we make bacon in the oven (on a baking rack place on a cookie sheet), it comes out pretty straight. Maybe that will work?
guest
We were married in December of last year and had a hot chocolate/spiced cider bar so people could warm up pre-ceremony. It was a huge hit! I’ll definitely keep doing this as we shift into hosting holiday parties…it was so much fun, and so tasty too.
blogger / pear / 1964 posts
We’re doing this for our student volunteers on the library for their holiday party next week. Fun and affordable!
nectarine / 2641 posts
We were planning one of these for a surprise baby shower this weekend, but surprise! Baby came 4 weeks early! Hopefully we can still do it in a couple months when we reschedule
blogger / apricot / 367 posts
Love this! My sister just did this for her friend’s baby shower and it was a big hit!