Last December, we teamed up with Indulge Magazine to show readers how to create their own hot chocolate bar. Turns out you guys really loved the idea, so I thought I’d share it here on the blog with you!
Why create your own a hot chocolate bar? It’s a fun interactive treat that guests of all ages can enjoy at holiday parties or at a small get together with family and friends. We have found that guests have fun putting together their own creations according to their taste and personality.
An interactive hot chocolate bar is also visually appealing and pretty much everyone likes a warm cup of hot cocoa, even during Texas “winters.”
The first thing that you need to decide is if you’d like a separate hot chocolate bar for kids and adults. If you’re going to add spirits and alcohol as mixers, it’s best to have a separate kids’ hot chocolate bar to be safe and keep alcohol out of reach of children.
If you’re creating a hot chocolate bar that is safe for everyone, then the most important thing to consider first is what kinds of hot chocolates you want to offer. Keep the hot chocolates simple though because the toppings are going to give it the most flair. If you are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy, try the cashew coconut hot chocolate recipe! Really any of the hot chocolates can be made dairy-free if lactose-free milk is used or almond milk, rice milk, etc.
Different Hot Chocolates You Can Have:
- White Hot Chocolate
- Dark Hot Chocolate
- Cashew Coconut Hot Chocolate
- Classic Hot Chocolate
To serve the hot chocolate you can use old glass milk bottles, a basic coffee urn, a crock pot or a pretty tea kettle which will keep the hot chocolate warm too.
Different Toppings You Can Offer:
- Toasted coconut
- Peppermint sticks or crushed peppermint
- Marshmallows
- Sprinkles
- Hazelnuts
- Milk chocolate chips
- White chocolate chips
- Variety of whipped creams (almond whipped cream, coconut whipped cream)
- Caramel sauce
The toppings are probably the most important part because that is what makes up the majority of your hot chocolate bar. The key is to have a good mix of unique and tried-and-true toppings.In our opinion, the more toppings on the hot chocolate the better!
Some tips for making a pretty display includes using little mason jars or vintage bowls tied with festive string and labels to showcase the different toppings. Add a special touch by using faux “snow” on the table and scattering crushed candy canes for a whimsical display. Your creativity is really your limit! You can make it more rustic and country chic or make it more modern and have your display on a cart with fancy dishes and serving spoons.
To create a more dynamic-looking table, create different heights by using boxes or other objects to create height and then cover with a table cloth or other festive camouflage. Having different heights makes your table display more interesting. You can add little decorations like a mini Christmas tree, pretty cups stacked on top of each other, candles and other holiday decor.
You could even go as far as creating your own cute sign for the table!
If you’re planning an adult hot chocolate bar, check out the Star-Telegram article on which spirits and liqueur I like to mix with certain hot chocolates!