Break out the mugs, folks! It’s time for that perennial winter favorite, hot cocoa. What’s better on a cold winter evening than cozying up to the hearth or fire pit with a steaming cup of cocoa warming your hands? I’d love to pass along my secrets for how to make an amazing hot cocoa bar.

Now, I don’t claim to be an expert, exactly, BUT–I did do a morning tv spot on Fox 4 News in Dallas on this very subject!  

The Basics

Do not settle for powdered hot chocolate mix in a package! Instead, pre-make rich, creamy hot cocoa on the stove with milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and vanilla.  Here’s a super easy recipe –Allison at Celebrating Sweets recommends making it extra rich by melting chocolate chips into the warmed cocoa. Yum!

Sure, you could plunk a ladle in the pan and let your guests swing by the stove for a cuppa, but why not make it an EVENT with a full-on cocoa bar? You’ll want to transfer that rich chocolatey-ness into an insulated container for easy dispensing–and then have fun setting up a stellar cocoa bar with wonderful toppings and mix-ins.

Be sure to haul out your festive serveware and decorations. You might set up on a kitchen island or a buffet or console table, or outside on a patio or picnic table–wherever your crowd has room to congregate and enjoy their all-you-can-drink feast!

The Extras

Depending on the age of those you’re serving, you can customize your bar to please adults (Bailey’s Irish Cream, maybe) or children (candy sprinkles). But I think the must-haves are

• whipped cream (the REAL stuff)
• candy cane stirrers (or crushed to sprinkle on)
• marshmallows (large on a stick to make a stirrer, and minis to spoon in)
• cinnamon (sticks or shaker)

Super host, get creative from there! Add containers of

• espresso shots
• red hots
• crushed Christmas candy
• brown sugar
• cookie sprinkles
• mini baking chips (dark or white chocolate–or go wild with peanut butter, mint, or caramel)
• flavored syrups
• chocolate stirring spoons

Just add cookies

Complete your cocoa bar with plates of your favorite cookies, and you’re all set!

If you’re dreaming up home renovations for 2023 while sitting around the fire drinking cocoa, let’s talk!  At Courtney Warren Home, I help my clients create lovely, liveable homes!