DIY Hot Chocolate Bombs are easier to make than you think. These gorgeous little spheres of chocolatey goodness are so simple you'll be giving them as gifts all year round but they're especially perfect for the holiday season.
In this post I'll teach you how to make Hot Chocolate Balls as well as some tricks and tips that I learned along the way.
They are delicious spheres of chocolate with a center that is filled with hot chocolate (cocoa) powder and marshmallows (although these ingredients can change depending on flavor preferences).
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Hot milk is poured on top and the hot chocolate bomb melts into the perfect cup of hot cocoa!
They are very easy to make (easier than you'd expect) and perfect to get the kiddos involved. They're great teachers gifts.
Next time try my Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies, or my Chocolate Turtles, they also make great gifts and are perfect for the fall season too.
Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
- Chocolate (your favorite kind - I used Milk Chocolate melts in this recipe - you can also use a chocolate bar) - do not use candy melts.
- Hot Chocolate Mix
- Mini Marshmallows
- Sprinkles for decoration
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Step 1: Melt the chocolate. Either in a double boiler or in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl. If using the microwave, stir after 15 second intervals.
- Step 2: Spoon this melted chocolate into the molds.
- Step 3: Using a pastry brush spread the chocolate all up the sides of the domes (or use the back of the spoon) - make sure the chocolate reaches all the way to the top of the sides and that there is no gaps in the chocolate. Then freeze for 10 minutes to set.
- Step 4: Brush another layer of chocolate all over the inside of the domes again. Do it one by one as it will set quickly on top of the cold first layer of chocolate. Freeze again for another 10 minutes to set up.
- Step 5: Fill half the domes with hot cocoa mix (about 1-½ Teaspoons each) then top with marshmallows. About 4 or 5 does it.
- Step 6: Press the top half of the sphere onto a hot plate to melt the edges.
- Step 7: Press onto one of the filled chocolate shell and wait to set. Freeze afterward to set better if you feel it needs it.
- Step 8: Decorate to your preference. I melted more chocolate and sprinkled my favorite sprinkles.
They're so simple and so much fun to make - just pop your hot chocolate bomb into a cup/mug and pour hot milk over the top. Stir and add more marshmallows if your like. I LOVE marshmallows, the more the better (my daughter too, lol).
Hint: use whole milk for the most decadent of hot chocolates! Give the cup a stir as you are pouring the milk.
Recipe variations and substitute ideas
Here you can go wild. They are so flexible, you can really use your imagination on different flavors etc. Here's a few I came across in my mission to make this recipe:
- Salty Caramel
- Oreo
- Reece's Pieces
- Candy Canes
- Mint Chocolate
- Peppermint Bark
- Baileys (and any liqueur)
- I've even seen Oatmeal hot chocolate bombs. Not sure how that one works, but obviously some people like that.
- Use hot water instead of milk to make this lighter on the calories.
- The chocolate in this recipe can be any chocolate - I believe the richer the better - but that's just me. I would avoid the melting wafers though, as that is not true chocolate and has a kind of waxy aftertaste to it. It doesn't melt the same either.
- Decorating is fun. You can go to town here. I used regular chocolate, melted and drizzled it over, then sprinkled with sprinkles while the chocolate was still setting. You could drizzle white chocolate here. Use different themed sprinkles - e.g Valentine hot chocolate bombs are super easy - just buy some valentines sprinkles and voila - the perfect valentine's gift!
How to store leftovers
They can be stored at room temperature. If it's a little warmer than that you may want to pop them into the fridge (refrigerator) or they'll melt.
Keep them in an airtight container and they'll be good for weeks like that.
Mel's kitchen notes
If you are giving these as a gift they're great for any occasion. Christmas, thanksgiving, halloween, valentines day, birthdays. They're so perfect!! I like to use these little boxes for gifts, as you can see they fit perfectly!
Frequently asked questions: FAQ
They're little chocolate spheres that are filled with cocoa and marshmallows (typically, this can be changed though). You place it into the bottom of a mug and add warm milk. It melts open and all you do is stir!
I use milk chocolate, just the baking chips. You can use any chocolate you prefer though. Semi-sweet and dark chocolate are also good options.
The answer here is yes, but it will require a little imagination. You could use an old egg carton, or those little plastic easter egg containers.... they may not be perfectly round, but they'll do the job.
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Hot Chocolate Balls
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-½ Cups Milk Chocolate Chips
- 10 teaspoons Hot Chocolate Mix about 2 Envelopes
- 1 Cup Mini Marshmallows
- Decoration Items chocolate/sprinkles, etc
Instructions
- Using a double boiler or the microwave melt half of the chocolate. If using the microwave stir after 15 second intervals.1-½ Cups Milk Chocolate Chips
- Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the chocolate into each dome in the mold.
- Using a small pastry brush, brush the chocolate evenly all over the dome and up the sides of the mold - all the way to the top of the edges. Pop into the freezer for 10 minutes on a baking sheet to help set.
- Remove from the freezer and spoon another dollop of chocolate into the domes, one at a time. Brush the chocolate all over before moving onto the next. Freeze again for another 10 minutes.
- Fill half the domes with hot chocolate mix (about 1-½ teaspoons) then top with mini marshmallows (about 4-5 works well).10 teaspoons Hot Chocolate Mix, 1 Cup Mini Marshmallows
- Heat a plate on top of a pan of hot water. Press one of the empty domes onto the plate to melt the edges. (about 30 seconds)
- Press onto filled dome. Hold while the chocolate seals. Freeze to seal quicker.
- Decorate the hot chocolate bombs how you wish. I use more melted chocolate and sprinkles.Decoration Items
Notes
Nutrition
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Also known as Hot Chocolate Bombs or Hot cocoa bombs.
Kay says
My daughter and I loved making these together today, we are already planning our next batch, will it work with white chocolate?!
Melanie Cagle says
It will definitely work with white chocolate! In fact, I did make a batch yesterday and it was so yummy.
Kate says
Made these hot chocolate bombs as a birthday gift for a friend and she loved it! She says they are amazing! Isoon make a batch for us.
Amanda Dixon says
These were so easy to make! I just loved the little marshmallows inside. It added such a fun touch, and they made for a super delicious hot chocolate.