How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs
Hot chocolate bombs are all the rage this holiday season, and the best part is you can make them at home. Hot chocolate bombs or hot cocoa bombs are cutesy little balls of chocolate that you put into a mug, and when you pour hot milk into the mug over the hot chocolate bomb it will start to melt and begin to magically release the marshmallows and hot chocolate that is hiding inside.
If you want to make these adorable hot cocoa bombs at home, you\’ve come to the right place. I am sharing a full guide on how to make hot chocolate bombs, that are packed with tips and tricks to creating these adorable and delicious cocoa treats.
What are hot chocolate bombs?
Hot cocoa bombs are chocolate spheres filled with hot chocolate mix and plenty of marshmallows. Pour steaming hot milk over the top of your hot cocoa bombs and watch the chocolate melt away and release the hot cocoa and marshmallows into your milk.
What kind of chocolate to use?
You want to use good quality chocolate. I like to buy some from a local candy store, however, you can buy bar chocolate like Lindt, use Wilton chocolate wafers, and more. You just want to make sure that you use good quality chocolate. I recommend chocolate with 65% or more cocoa.
How to melt chocolate?
To melt your chocolate you can either use a double boiler or melt it in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish and melt on defrost in 15-second intervals, stirring in between.
What kind of mold do you need to make hot cocoa bombs?
You can use a sphere chocolate mold or a silicone sphere mold.
How do you apply the chocolate to the mold?
If you\’re using a silicone mold you will want to use a paintbrush. If you\’re using a hard plastic mold you will just pour in some chocolate and circle it around the sphere.
How do you put the spheres together?
This part is key to getting your hot chocolate bombs to stay together.
1. Place a cookie sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F.
2. Once the cookie sheet is hot, take it out of the oven and set the half you will be filling onto the hot cookie sheet.
3. Swirl it around until all the sides are even.
4. Remove it.
5. Then you will fill that half with your cocoa goodies.
6. Once you have it filled, repeat the same process with the other half of the cocoa bomb, but instead of filling it, you will place it on top of the filled one.
Pro Tip: I tried this the first time with a plate, and it became a lot to continuously reheat it. So I switched to the cookie sheet that I can easily take in and out of the oven.
What kind of hot chocolate mix should you use in hot chocolate bombs?
Use whatever hot chocolate mix you prefer. I personally like Trader Joe\’s and Aldi\’s hot chocolate.
What kind of marshmallows should you use to make hot cocoa bombs?
Any mini marshmallows of your choice!
Can you decorate the outside of a hot cocoa bomb?
Yes, you can decorate the outside of the hot cocoa bomb. Just remember that this will become apart of your hot chocolate.
How to make Hot Cocoa Bombs:
Now that you\’ve read all my tips and tricks on how to make the perfect hot cocoa bombs at home. I am going to go through step-by-step how to make them. This process is the easiest one I have found that creates the most flawless
1. Melt your chocolate
I prefer buying melting chocolate that comes with a tray. Not only does it make cleanup easy, but the chocolate melts perfectly.
Pro Tip: If melting your chocolate in the microwave you want to always make sure you\’re melting it on defrost in short intervals.
DO NOT USE CHOCOLATE CHIPS. They will not work!
2. Add chocolate to mold
Paint or pour your melted chocolate into the mold. You don\’t want it two thin or two thick – so look at the bottom and if you can see through to the top you\’re going to want to add more chocolate.
3. Place in the freezer to allow the chocolate to set
Once you have the mold-covered in chocolate place it in the freezer to allow the chocolate to set. This will typically take a couple minutes.
Pro Tip: Don\’t leave the long in the freezer too long or your chocolate will get white spots.
4. Remove from the mold
Once the chocolate has set you will want to remove it from the mold. I like to line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and tap the mold to get the chocolate to release.
5. Warm up a cookie sheet
Place a cookie sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F.
6. THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP
Once the cookie sheet is warm, remove it from the oven. Place half of the hot cocoa bomb you will be adding the hot cocoa and goodies to onto the hot cookie sheet. Swirl it around to create a completely smooth surface.
Pro Tip: During this step, you will be able to remove any flaws that may affect the two halves from seamlessly going together.
7. Fill \’er up!
The half you just made even, you will now fill with hot cocoa mix, marshmallows, candy cane pieces, sprinkles etc.
Pro Tip: For the best-fit start with sprinkles, candy cane pieces.. etc, then marshmallows and top with the powdered hot cocoa.
8. Sealing the two halves together – IMPORTANT
Repeat step 6 with the half that does not have the cocoa and marshmallows in it. Immediately place it on top of the half that is filled. The two halves should seamlessly go together.
Pro Tip: If the halves do not seal properly together, you can add some melted chocolate to a plastic baggy, snip a small piece of the corner of the baggy, and pip some chocolate in the areas that need to be sealed shut and smooth it out with a spoon.
9. Decorate
Decorate your hot cocoa bombs however you\’d like. If you\’d like to add chocolate swirls on top you can simply put some chocolate in a baggy, snip a small piece of the corner of the baggy off and pipe your desired lines or design.
Pro Tip: The possibilities are endless. Just keep in mind everything on the outside and the inside of the hot cocoa bomb ultimately makes up your hot cocoa.
10. Gifting
If you\’re giving the hot cocoa bombs as a gift, I recommend placing them in a cupcake liner and then putting them into a clear bag and attaching a decorative tag with instructions.
11. HAVE FUN!
Good luck and have fun making these adorably delicious hot cocoa bombs. If you have any questions feel free to reach out and ask me!
Hot chocolate bomb flavors
If traditional hot chocolate with marshmallows is not your thing, and you\’re more interested in something gourmet, here are some great ideas.
Peppermint
Peppermint is my personal favorite way to enjoy hot chocolate. I love adding a candy cane to my hot cocoa, and thought I would take my hot cocoa bombs to the next level by adding crushed up candy canes to the inside of the bomb with the marshmallows and cocoa.
Coffee
My mum is a huge fan of hot chocolate and coffee mixed together. So in her hot chocolate bomb, I added a teaspoon of instant coffee (or expresso).
Add a little spice
If Mexican hot chocolate is more of your speed add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to the inside of the hot chocolate bomb.
Sea salt
I don\’t know about you, but I am a huge fan of chocolate and sea salt. You can add some flaky sea salt to the inside or outside of your hot chocolate bomb.
Hot Chocolate Bombs Tips & Tricks
1. Do not overheat the chocolate. Take your time and microwave in 15-second intervals.
2. Make sure you have enough chocolate on the edges of your mold. This helps prevent the chocolate from breaking when you remove it from the mold.
3. Use food-safe gloves while you\’re assembling, this will prevent you from leaving fingerprints on your hot chocolate bombs.
4. Be gentle when sealing the bombs together.
5. Store your hot chocolate bombs in an airtight container in a cool spot like your refrigerator.
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