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    Home » Drinks

    Hot Chocolate Bar Ideas

    By Jill Baird · Published October 26, 2022 · Updated November 27, 2022 · Leave a Comment

    homemade hot cocoa recipe, hot chocolate bar ideas.

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    Jump to Recipe
    easy hot chocolate bar ideas
    hot chocolate bar
    hot chocolate bar ideas
    how chocolate bar toppings

    This recipe will show you how easy and fun it can be to build your very own Hot Chocolate Bar for your next Christmas party, girl's night, or any other holiday season get-together.  We’ve included our favorite recipe for slow cooker hot chocolate, hot chocolate topping ideas, set-up tips, and more.

    Jump to:
    • DIY Hot Cocoa Bar Ideas
    • Best Hot Chocolate Bar Toppings
    • Setting Up Your Hot Chocolate Bar
    • How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate
    • More Hot Chocolate Bar Ideas and Tips
    • Storing and Reheating Hot Chocolate
    • Hot Chocolate Recipe and Hot Chocolate Bar Toppings
    • More Hot Drink Recipes to Try

    DIY Hot Cocoa Bar Ideas

    Building your very own Hot Chocolate Bar is a simple way to spread holiday cheer and have a ton of fun in the process. It’s perfect for all ages, group sizes, and events and can be done as simply or elaborately as you want.

    If you enjoy making cute little labels, writing a menu on a chalkboard sign, and decorating the table you can absolutely go to town! However, a Hot Chocolate Bar can also be as simple as a setting out a crock pot full of hot chocolate, cute mugs, and a few mason jars with your favorite toppings. 

    While hot chocolate tends to be reserved for winter months, this really could be perfect for a special get together at any time of the year. When it comes to Hot Chocolate Bar ideas, anything goes.

    A hot chocolate bar set up on a table, complete with cups and a serving platter full of mason jars with toppings and scoops. ideas for hot chocolate bar.

    Best Hot Chocolate Bar Toppings

    Besides the usual whipped cream and marshmallows, these are a few of our favorite treats, sauces, and dippers to add to your Hot Chocolate Bar. These ideas really just scratch the surface - just about anything sweet will work.

    Syrups and Sauces

    • Whipped cream
    • Chocolate syrup
    • Caramel Sauce

    Toppings for Hot Chocolate

    • M&Ms
    • Marshmallows
    • Crushed Nuts or Candied Nuts
    • Sprinkles
    • Hershey’s Kisses
    • Chocolate Chips
    • Chocolate covered marshmallows

    For Dipping and Swirling

    • Peppermint sticks
    • Candy canes
    • Rock candy
    • Cinnamon sticks
    • Pirouette cookies
    • Christmas cookies
    • Peppermint bark
    A tabletop with a set up for a hot chocolate bar, including cups and a tray full of mason jars that have all of the different toppings. hot chocolate bar toppings.

    Setting Up Your Hot Chocolate Bar

    When it comes to the set up, I suggest dedicating an entire table or an entire section of a table to the Hot Chocolate Bar. It’s easier to set up and easier for your guests to grab everything that they want. You can go as simple or as elaborate as you want, and even add festive decorations to the table if you’re up for it.

    As far as how to set up a Hot Chocolate Bar, here’s what you’ll need:

    • Crock pot and ladle. Making your hot chocolate in a crock pot is super convenient because you can set it to “warm” and let guests ladle their own.
    • Cups, napkins, and spoons. You can either use disposable cups or non-disposable mugs. Totally up to you!
    • Serving containers for each topping. Mason jars or any other glass jars work great because you can see through them. If you aren’t expecting a huge crowd, you could even arrange some of the toppings on a pretty cheese board or other serving platter, along with small ramekins for things like sprinkles and chocolate chips.
    • Small spoons or scoops for toppings. For anything that isn’t individually wrapped, you’ll want to have a tiny spoon or scoop. 
    • Optional - labels. This isn’t completely necessary, but nice for a larger group.

    How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate

    1. Add ingredients to slow cooker. In a slow cooker, add the sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, salt and half of the milk.  Whisk until combined, then add the rest of the milk and whisk again. 
    2. Cook. Place lid on the slow cooker and turn to LOW.  Cook for about 2 hours, stirring every 20-30 minutes. Once the mixture reaches 160-185 degrees F, turn off the crockpot or set to warm.
    3. Serve. Stir well, then ladle into mugs and serve with your favorite Hot Chocolate Bar toppings.  Enjoy!
    A slow cooker full of hot chocolate. diy hot chocolate bar. diy hot cocoa bar.

    More Hot Chocolate Bar Ideas and Tips

    • To make hot chocolate over the stovetop, just add all of your ingredients to a large pot, whisk well, and warm over medium low. Stir frequently, cooking until everything has melted together and has reached 160-185 degrees F.
    • If you aren’t expecting a huge crowd, choosing fewer toppings will make your life easier and be far less wasteful. Plus, you can spend more time arranging the toppings on a pretty wooden cheese board or another festive platter.
    • Don’t hesitate to use a hot chocolate mix if it will make your life easier! Hot cocoa mix can still be made in your slow cooker and it will still be a major hit.
    • Check out these hot chocolate variations for more ideas on ways to flavor your hot chocolate and even decorate the rims of your mugs.

    Storing and Reheating Hot Chocolate

    • Refrigerator: store completely cooled leftover Hot Chocolate in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    • To reheat: transfer hot chocolate to a small pot and gently reheat over medium heat until warm. If you only want to reheat a small portion, stir the mixture well, then ladle into a mug and microwave until warm.
    homemade hot cocoa recipe, hot chocolate bar ideas.
    Print

    Hot Chocolate Recipe and Hot Chocolate Bar Toppings

    This recipe will show you how easy and fun it can be to build your very own Hot Chocolate Bar for your next Christmas party, girls night, or any other holiday season get together.  We’ve included our favorite recipe for slow cooker hot chocolate, hot chocolate bar toppings, set up tips, and more.
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 2 hours hours
    Total Time 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 5 people
    Calories 257kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen

    Ingredients

    • 1 14-oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • ½ cup Cocoa Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 1 pinch Salt
    • 8 cups Milk

    Hot Chocolate Bar Toppings

    • Whipped Cream
    • Candy Canes
    • Sprinkles
    • Marshmallows
    • Crushed Nuts
    • Chocolate Chips
    • Hershey's Kisses

    Instructions

    • In a slow cooker, add the sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, salt and half of the milk. Whisk until combined, then add the rest of the milk and whisk again.
    • Place lid on the slow cooker and turn to LOW. Cook for about 2 hours, stirring every 20-30 minutes.
    • Once the mixture reaches 160-185 degrees F, turn off the crockpot or set to warm.
    • Stir well, then ladle into mugs and serve with your favorite Hot Chocolate Bar toppings. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 718mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 633IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 492mg | Iron: 1mg

    More Hot Drink Recipes to Try

    • Wassail
    • Mulled Cider
    • Crockpot White Hot Chocolate
    • Nutella Hot Chocolate
    • Unicorn Hot Chocolate
    • Crockpot Hot Chocolate
    • More Drink Recipes
    • More Holiday Recipes

    If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you. It helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

    This recipe will guide you through how to make your very own Hot Chocolate Bar, including homemade hot chocolate, toppings, and set up ideas. It's an easy and fun way to spread holiday cheer and have a lot of fun.

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    Hi! I'm Jill.

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    46 shares