Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe with Toppings (and Hot Cocoa Charcuterie Board or Bar!)

This homemade hot chocolate recipe is so easy, rich and creamy that kids AND adults will love this winter drink recipe on your hot chocolate charcuterie board, hot chocolate bar, or just after winter activities outdoors!

HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE

PLUS, HOW TO MAKE A DIY HOT CHOCOLATE CHARCUTERIE BOARD OR HOT CHOCOLATE BAR

We’ve all gotten so accustomed to the convenience of those little packs of instant hot chocolate mix that many of us no longer make our own hot chocolate.

But, the taste of this homemade hot chocolate mix is so rich and creamy that you have to try it (at least once!) — especially if you’re doing a hot chocolate charcuterie board or hot cocoa bar!

 

How do I make hot chocolate better?

If you want to spice up your hot chocolate a little, try one of these mix-ins:

• Cinnamon
• Peppermint
• Marshmallow cream
• Chili powder (for a spicy hot chocolate)
• Vanilla
• Shaved chocolate
• Chocolate chips
• Peanut butter 
• Nutella
• Crushed cookies

 

How to serve hot chocolate at a party?

A great way to serve this hot chocolate recipe is on a fun hot chocolate bar or to make a hot chocolate charcuterie board. Pour the hot chocolate in cups or put in a pump dispenser and then provide with fun hot chocolate toppings.

Looking for hot chocolate charcuterie board for sale? Just use a tray!

 

What goes in a hot cocoa bar?

This is a really fun recipe to make for a hot cocoa bar or a hot chocolate station at a party!

And, setting up a DIY hot cocoa bar is easy!

What do you put on a hot cocoa bar?

• Hot chocolate in a pump container
• Whipped cream
• Toppings
• Mugs or insulated cups with lids
• Spoons
• Napkins

 

What are good toppings for hot chocolate?

• Whipped cream
• Marshmallows
• Crushed cookies
• Caramel drizzle
• Sprinkles
• Shaved chocolate or chocolate chips
• Crushed candy canes
• Cinnamon 
• Coconut
• Nuts

How to Make Hot Chocolate Boards

Hot chocolate charcuterie boards (also called hot chocolate dessert charcuterie boards or Christmas charcuterie) are all the rage right now and great if you’re looking for a fun way to give your hot cocoa bombs as gifts!

(Charcuterie actually means a group of cooked meats, but people are using it to describe hot chocolate boards now, too.)

Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Ingredients

Some ideas for hot cocoa boards:

• Hot chocolate in mugs or hot chocolate bombs
• Cookies
• Fun marshmallows
• Holiday candy
• Cinnamon sticks
• Full peppermint candy canes
• Scones
• Chocolate chips
• Chocolate drizzle
• Chocolate spoon melts
• Sprinkles
• Crushed candy
• Chocolate candy squares 
• Winter or holiday swizzle sticks

 

Homemade Hot Chocolate paired with The Sweet Story of Hot Chocolate Children’s Book

We paired up our homemade hot chocolate recipe with a book about (what else?) hot chocolate!

At our house, we love books that tells the history behind stuff, so The Sweet Story of Hot Chocolate! (History of Fun Stuff)by by Stephen Krensky and illustrated by Rob McClurkan was perfect for this.

The book starts by asking the kids enticing questions like who first made hot chocolate, how it’s made and how it became popular.

Through simple but colorful illustration, the book then goes on an interesting journey from the cacao bean all the way to drinking the hot chocolate!

You may also like Do Frogs Drink Hot Chocolate?: How Animals Keep Warm.

Here’s how to make homemade hot chocolate!

 

Recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate

Yield: 4

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Print

This homemade hot chocolate will quickly become your favorite for a party or Halloween hot cocoa bars or just a winter afternoon drink treat!

Prep Time 3 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 8 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Marshmallows (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan.
2. Add in the boiling water.
3. Bring to slow boil, stirring constantly.
4. Simmer mixture, while stirring, for about 2 minutes.
5. Stir in the milk and heat until very hot, being careful not to boil or scorch.
6. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
7. Divide between 4 cups and top with whipped cream or marshmallows (or other toppings).

Notes

If you like a sweeter hot chocolate, add another 1/4 cup sugar while cooking.

This recipe is easy to double or triple for a party!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 245Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 147mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 1gSugar: 26gProtein: 9g

Nutrition information is estimated. Changes to the recipe and use of different brands may cause changes to the nutritional information to vary slightly from the ones provided here.

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