How to Make Hot Cocoa Bombs: Don’t Miss the Fun!

Baby it’s cold outside! Is there any better way to warm up than with a toasty cup of hot cocoa? I can’t believe how popular these hot cocoa bombs are right now across the internet, in boutiques and at candy stores. But then again, just look at them; they are absolutely beautiful. Did you know they are super fun and not too terribly difficult to make yourself? This Hot Cocoa Bomb Recipe and tutorial (with bonus video) will help you make your very own chocolate bombs at home and…create lasting memories in the kitchen while you are it!

I know how much you love a good bath bomb. But move over bath time, because these hot chocolate bombs are well…the bomb! (Sorry, I just couldn’t resist).  

Perhaps, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel as it relates to COVID-19. As the vaccine begins to spread, it seems like we may be able to resume our normally scheduled programming someday soon. (Girlfriend, I don’t know about you, but I am more than ready for that! This unplanned interruption was much longer than I ever expected). 

In the meantime however, winter is here which means cold weather, potential increases in the flu, and at this moment record high cases of that nasty lil C word.

So, I say Winter 2021 we make like a bear and hibernate inside the comforts (and safety) of our homes. 

Comfort in a Cup

I am imagining long winter days cozied by the fireplace, relaxing in our favorite lounge wear & slippers, snuggled under a chunky blanket, binging Netflix shows, reading that book that has been sitting in our nightstand untouched all last year, and daydreaming about returning to normal life… all while sipping rich, delicious hot cocoa. Whipped cream mustache optional.

Plus, maybe you just need some creative ideas to have more fun at home. Trust me the kiddos are absolutely going to love these! 

We had a snow day this week. OK, granted it was barely a dusting of snow and all the little grass blades were still poking out, but you take what you get when you live in the South. I thought what better way to warm up after romping in the snow with a toddler, than a hot cup of cocoa. So, Presley and I decided to take our hand at these fun little treats this week. And I have to tell you we had an absolute blast making them!

Wait…hold up Jillian, maybe you are wondering what the heck is a hot cocoa bomb? Well my friends, just check these out. They are beautiful chocolate spheres filled with hot cocoa mix and mini marshmallows. When you pour hot milk over your bomb, they slowly melt away. You are left with ooey-gooey deliciousness and good old-fashioned comfort in a cup.

So my friends, grab a few supplies and you will be ready to master your very own homemade hot cocoa bombs to last you all winter long.

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Hot Cocoa Bombs Recipe:

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 5-10 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Level: Moderate

Hot Cocoa Bombs Tools:

• Silicone Mold (You can grab all your supplies from Michael’s Curbside Pickup)
• New/Unused Paintbrush 

Hot Cocoa Bombs Ingredients:

• 8 ounces High Quality Baking Chocolate 
• 6 Tablespoons Hot Cocoa Mix (I used 3 packets for 6 bombs, about a half packet per bomb)
• Mini Marshmallows

Hot Cocoa Bomb Toppings:

Hot Cocoa Bomb Toppings are completely optional, but highy recommended.

• Piping Bag
• Sprinkles (or other toppings)
• Candy Melts (or extra melted chocolate from above)

Hot Cocoa Bombs Instructions:

1. Chop your baking chocolate into mostly uniform pieces. I love using the Ghiradelli baking bars, both for their taste and convenience (no chopping required).
2. Melt your chocolate using the double broiler method. (Full deets below).
3. Paint the chocolate into your silicone molds. I spooned about a teaspoon of chocolate into the molds, then used a paintbrush to paint a thin layer, paying close attention to paint all the way up to the edges.
4. Freeze your chocolate for 5 minutes.
5. Paint a second layer of chocolate into molds. Again, I spooned about a teaspoon of chocolate into the molds, used the paintbrush to paint a thin layer, paying close attention to paint all the way up to the edges.
6. Freeze for another 5 minutes.
7. Remove from freezer and carefully remove the chocolate spheres from the mold.
8. Fill one half of your bomb with 1 Tablespoon of hot chocolate and mini marshmallows (Use your favorite hot chocolate, I opted for a delicious Sea Salt and Caramel Hot Cocoa mix).
9. Heat a skillet on low heat, take the empty half of the chocolate mold and place it on the warm skillet for 2-3 seconds so the edge just starts to melt, then place it on your cocoa mix and marshmallow filled half. This is the easiest method to adhere your 2 halves together, completing your chocolate sphere.

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You now have ready to enjoy hot cocoa bombs. However, if you want to take them to next level you may want to decorate them a little with drizzles, sprinkles or other toppings:

10. Melt Candy Melts in a piping bag, microwave for 30 seconds intervals until your candy melts are smooth. Snip the end of your piping bag and decorate your hot chocolate bombs.
11. Add sprinkles for the finishing decor.
    
    

Double Boiler How To:

I will let you in on a little secret, yes you can melt your chocolate in the microwave, but I promise you utilizing a double boiler on the stovetop is the best method. The steam will melt the chocolate evenly and prevent burning. If the idea of melting chocolate over a double boiler intimidates you, I get it, but just give it a try. I promise…if I can do it successfully, you can too.

To create your double boiler, fill a medium saucepan or pot a quarter to halfway with water. Bring the water to a simmer, then place a heatproof bowl that is just big enough to sit on top of the saucepan/pot. Add your chopped chocolate to the bowl. Keep the pot on low heat and stir the chocolate frequently with a rubber spatula, until your chocolate is melted into silky smoothness.

You do not want your bowl to actually touch the water in the saucepan/pot, the chocolate melts from the trapped steam.

Hot Cocoa Bomb Tips for Success:

• Use high quality baking chocolate for your bombs. Candy melts are perhaps the easiest to work with, but your taste will suffer. Ghiradelli is my go to when melting chocolate, because it is easy to access at most grocery stores, doesn’t require chopping, and tastes absolutely delish.
• 6 ounces of steamed (not boiling) milk seemed to make the perfect cup of hot cocoa for my bombs using a 2” mold.
• Yes, you do need 2 layers. You may be tempted to skip this second layer, but don’t. You need 2 layers for your spheres to be sturdy enough. Without the second layer your chocolatemis likely to crack and you may have a difficult time removing the chocolate from the mold. Trust me on this one. Paint a one teaspoon layer, freeze for 5 minutes, paint a second 1 teaspoon layer and freeze for another 5 minutes and your bombs will be perfect.
• Arguably the most important tip: when painting your molds, pay special attention to paint both layers all the way up to every edge.
• Store your hot cocoa bombs in an airtight container at room temperature.
• If you choose to decorate your hot chocolate bombs, get creative and have fun.
• I opted for candy melts for my drizzle because of the ease, and since it is a very small component to the overall bomb (I would not recommend candy melts for your actual chocolate spheres, as they are waxy and well…not very tasty).
• I tried a few with a caramel drizzle as well and it worked beautifully with my sea salt and caramel hot cocoa mix (Yum).
• Sprinkles are easy to work with and add a fun touch, but consider shaved chocolate, crushed mints, crushed Oreo cookies, etc. (your imagination is your only limit here).
  
  

What Will You Create?

You can also check out this condensed video clip for a quick how to.

What are you waiting for?

Grab your ingredients and supplies, gather the kiddos, and give these a try! They are so much fun to create. I can’t wait to hear all about them! I think you will be amazed at how they turn out and honestly I think you will be pretty proud of yourself (even if you have never worked with chocolate before). If you try them, please come back and leave me a comment.

Plus, as you are likely to be a hibernating homegirl all winter long you may as well be sipping on divinely delish hot cocoa!

Be sure to pin this recipe to share the love.

xoxo Always My Friend!