Hot Cocoa Bomb Topping Bar

Featured in: Sweet Spots

Discover a delightful interactive dessert featuring smooth chocolate shells filled with rich cocoa mix and soft marshmallows. Create your own indulgent experience by choosing from crushed peppermint, mini chocolate chips, caramel bits, toffee, sprinkles, cookies, freeze-dried raspberries, and shredded coconut. Warm milk brings it all together, ensuring a cozy and festive treat that's perfect for sharing or enjoying solo. Techniques include careful tempering of chocolate shells and sealing with warmth to keep fillings fresh. Customize with spices or alternative chocolates for a unique twist.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:34:00 GMT
Richly decorated Hot Cocoa Bomb Topping Bar ready to be served, a delightful dessert experience. Save
Richly decorated Hot Cocoa Bomb Topping Bar ready to be served, a delightful dessert experience. | tastychuck.com

An interactive dessert experience featuring homemade hot cocoa bombs and a vibrant selection of toppings, perfect for cozy gatherings or festive celebrations.

This recipe has become a favorite at our holiday parties because it brings everyone together to create their perfect cup.

Ingredients

  • Hot Cocoa Bombs: 400 g high-quality dark or milk chocolate, chopped, 8 tbsp hot cocoa mix, 16 mini marshmallows
  • Toppings: 60 g crushed peppermint candies, 60 g mini chocolate chips, 60 g caramel bits, 60 g toffee bits, 60 g rainbow sprinkles, 60 g crushed cookies (e.g., Oreos, graham crackers), 60 g freeze-dried raspberries, 60 g shredded coconut
  • To Serve: 2 liters whole milk (or milk alternative)

Instructions

Step 1:
Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth.
Step 2:
Using a pastry brush or spoon, coat silicone half-sphere molds with melted chocolate. Refrigerate for 10 minutes, then apply a second coat for stability. Chill until firm (about 15 minutes).
Step 3:
Carefully remove chocolate shells from the molds. Fill half of the shells with 1 tbsp hot cocoa mix and 2 mini marshmallows each.
Step 4:
Warm a plate in the microwave. Gently press the edge of an empty shell onto the plate to slightly melt the rim, then place it atop a filled shell to seal. Smooth the seam with your finger or a little melted chocolate. Repeat for all bombs.
Step 5:
Arrange hot cocoa bombs on a tray. Set out bowls of each topping.
Step 6:
To serve: Heat milk until steaming but not boiling. Place a cocoa bomb in a mug, pour hot milk over it, and watch it open. Stir, then top with your choice of toppings.
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Our family loves gathering around the table to create and enjoy these cocoa bombs, making every winter evening special.

Notes

Try adding ground cinnamon or chili powder for a spicy twist. White chocolate can be substituted for a sweeter bomb. Pair with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence. For a vegan version, use dairy-free chocolate, plant-based milk, and vegan marshmallows.

Required Tools

Silicone half-sphere molds, pastry brush or spoon, mixing bowls, small microwave-safe plate, saucepan or microwave for heating milk, serving bowls for toppings

Allergen Information

Contains milk, soy, and possible traces of nuts (depending on chocolate and toppings). Contains gluten if using certain cookies or toppings. Contains coconut (if using as a topping). Always check ingredient labels for allergens.

Festive Hot Cocoa Bomb Topping Bar: a close-up shows diverse toppings, perfect for cozy celebrations. Save
Festive Hot Cocoa Bomb Topping Bar: a close-up shows diverse toppings, perfect for cozy celebrations. | tastychuck.com

Enjoy customizing your hot cocoa bombs with endless toppings for a fun and delicious treat.

Recipe Guide

How do I prevent the chocolate shells from cracking?

Chill the shells thoroughly between coats and handle gently when unmolding to maintain smooth, intact shapes.

Can I substitute the milk with a plant-based alternative?

Yes, any creamy plant-based milk works well to melt the cocoa shells and keep the flavors rich.

What toppings pair best with dark chocolate bombs?

Peppermint candies, caramel bits, and freeze-dried raspberries complement the intensity of dark chocolate beautifully.

How should I store leftover chocolate bombs and toppings?

Keep bombs in an airtight container in a cool place, and store toppings separately in sealed bowls to maintain freshness.

Is it possible to make this more festive?

Adding ground cinnamon or chili powder to the cocoa mix and decorating with colorful sprinkles enhance seasonal appeal.

Hot Cocoa Bomb Topping Bar

Interactive chocolate shells filled with cocoa mix and marshmallows, paired with an array of delightful toppings.

Prep duration
30 min
Heat time
15 min
Full duration
45 min
Created by Chuck Harrison

Style Sweet Spots

Skill level Medium

Heritage American

Output 8 Portions

Nutrition Labels Meat-free

What you'll need

Hot Cocoa Bombs

01 14 oz high-quality dark or milk chocolate, chopped
02 8 tbsp hot cocoa mix
03 16 mini marshmallows

Toppings

01 2¼ oz crushed peppermint candies
02 2¼ oz mini chocolate chips
03 2¼ oz caramel bits
04 2¼ oz toffee bits
05 2¼ oz rainbow sprinkles
06 2¼ oz crushed cookies (e.g., Oreos, graham crackers)
07 2¼ oz freeze-dried raspberries
08 2¼ oz shredded coconut

To Serve

01 8½ cups whole milk or milk alternative

Method

Phase 01

Melt chocolate: Melt the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or use the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

Phase 02

Coat molds: Using a pastry brush or spoon, coat silicone half-sphere molds with a layer of melted chocolate. Refrigerate for 10 minutes, then apply a second coat and chill until firm, about 15 minutes.

Phase 03

Fill shells: Gently remove the chocolate shells from the molds. Fill half of the shells with 1 tablespoon of hot cocoa mix and 2 mini marshmallows each.

Phase 04

Seal bombs: Warm a plate in the microwave. Press the edge of an empty shell onto the warm plate to slightly melt the rim, then place it atop a filled shell to seal. Smooth the seam with your finger or a small amount of melted chocolate. Repeat until all bombs are sealed.

Phase 05

Prepare toppings: Arrange the hot cocoa bombs on a tray and set out bowls containing each topping for serving.

Phase 06

Serve bomb: Heat milk until steaming but not boiling. Place one cocoa bomb into a mug, pour hot milk over it, allowing it to open. Stir gently and add desired toppings.

Kitchen tools

  • Silicone half-sphere molds
  • Pastry brush or spoon
  • Mixing bowls
  • Microwave-safe plate
  • Saucepan or microwave for heating milk
  • Serving bowls for toppings

Allergy alerts

Always review ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if unsure
  • Contains milk, soy, and possible traces of nuts depending on chocolate and toppings.
  • May contain gluten if certain cookies or toppings are used.
  • Contains coconut if used as a topping.
  • Verify ingredient labels for other allergens.

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice
  • Energy: 390
  • Fats: 18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Proteins: 7 g