Looking for a last minute gift for friends, teachers or neighbors? These DIY hot cocoa bombs are the perfect unique gift. These bombs are simple to make at home, fun and so tasty!
In my opinion, hot cocoa bombs are the perfect little gift to show someone that you were thinking of them. They are simple and thoughtful gift, but not too over the top. Everyone loves something homemade!
Our neighbors are constantly extending nice gestures to us. Before having a newborn I felt like I was a much more thoughtful individual. Now everything takes so much more energy and planning!
For weeks, I have been mulling over what I wanted to give our neighbors for the holiday season. They are so sweet, but we have been so busy with the new baby it has been hard to do anything nice for them.
When I discovered hot cocoa bombs, I instantly was though "This is it!". I wanted to make a little holiday care package for them, and these bombs seemed like the perfect festive treat to add, especially since they have two small boys.
To create the gift, I bagged the hot cocoa bombs in cellophane and placed them in holiday mugs. I added some tags explaining how to use them (my printable tags are available below!). To complete it, I gifted a holiday book and some little ornaments for the boys to paint. I know our neighbor is a stay at home mom with two boys under five years old, so I imagine keeping them occupied is a challenge.
The gift turned out nice, maybe a little ugly (I am not a chocolatier or very patient 😂) but it is the thought that counts, right? I am sure yours will turn out better than mine. Regardless, it was something simple and thoughtful to give and easy to make yourself!
What Is A Hot Cocoa Bomb?
A hot cocoa bomb is a round chocolate shell that looks similar to a large truffle. On the inside it is filled with hot cocoa powder and marshmallows. You place one of these "bombs" in the bottom of a mug and top with hot milk (or milk alternative). As the milk is added the chocolate melts and the marshmallows explode out. You simply mix the drink and enjoy your piping hot cup of cocoa.
These treats make a great winter gift. They super fun for kids but can be enjoyed by anyone who has an appreciate for seasonal hygge.
Supplies Needed To Make Hot Cocoa Bombs
- Microwave Safe Bowl
- Spoon
- Paint brush
- Round Silicone Mold (diameter should be 2 to 2.5 inches)
- 2 Cups of Milk Chocolate Chips
- 6 Tbsp. Hot Cocoa Mix
- 1 Cup of Mini Marshmallows
- 1/2 Cup of White Cholate Chips (optional)
- Small Ziploc Bags
What Type Of Mold Will Work Best?
Unless you are experienced in the art of chocolate making, I would recommend purchasing a silicone mold over an acrylic mold. For armatures like myself, a silicone mold is much easier to work with and is much more forgiving.
The size of the well doesn't have to be exact. You just want the mold to produce a bomb that is large enough to fill with the marshmallows and cocoa mix, but small enough to fit inside a mug. I found that a mold with 2-2.5 inch diameter wells is the sweet spot.
How To Make These DIY Hot Cocoa Bombs
Time needed: 45 minutes.
How to make Hot Cocoa Bombs
- Prepare your supplies.
It is helpful to get all your ingredients and supplies out and ready before melting the chocolate. You will need your silicone molds, a microwave safe bowl, a spoon, a paintbrush, chocolate chips, hot cocoa mix and marshmallows.
- Melt the chocolate.
Melt two cups of milk chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 15 seconds until chocolate is smooth and silky.
- Fill the silicone molds.
Using a new paintbrush or the back of a spoon, paint two layers of melted chocolate in each well of the silicone mold. Cover the wells entirely. The chocolate should cover the bottom and all the way up the sides of the mold.
- Set the chocolate.
Place the molds in the freezer to set. Allow chocolate in molds to cool completely and harden. This will take about 5 minutes. Remove and fill any weak spots if needed. Allow to harden again.
- Fill the bombs.
Fill 6 of the shells with 1 tbsp. of hot cocoa mix and as many marshmallows as it can hold.
- Seal the bomb.
Fill a Ziploc bag with melted chocolate. Trim off the tip of the corner of the bag and use as a piping bag. Carefully pipe chocolate around the rim of the chocolate shell and seal using one of the empty shells.
- Decorate.
Decorate each bomb with white chocolate drizzle. I like to decorate along the seam of the seal to both reinforce and cover the seal.
Filling The Molds
Filling the molds is a very important step because this will determine the integrity of your bomb. It is a delicate balance. If the shell is too thick it will difficult to melt with the hot milk so the effect will be less impressive. But, if the shell is too thin, you risk breaking the bomb or leaking its contents.
I found it easiest to paint the chocolate on the inside of the mold using a paintbrush. Using a brand new paintbrush is key, and make sure it is not too narrow. This allows you to cover the mold entirely and fill in any weak spots. You will have to do two coats to ensure everything is covered.
I also tried using the back of a spoon. This worked, but provided less control and accuracy. A good option if you are in a pinch for time and can't run to the craft store.
Sealing The Bombs
My method to seal the hot cocoa bombs was to pipe chocolate around the rim of the bomb. I used a Ziploc sandwich bag instead of a fancy piping bag. I simply filled one corner of the bag with melted chocolate and trimmed the tip from the corner of the bag. This allowed me to pipe a thin line of chocolate around the rim of the chocolate shell and connect the two pieces.
Because I planned to decorate the shells with chocolate drizzle I was not skimpy with the amount of chocolate I used to seal the bombs. I knew the seal would be covered when I decorated them.
Giving Hot Cocoa Bombs as a DIY Gift
Hot cocoa bombs make a great DIY gift for friends and family during the holiday season! Simply bag the hot cocoa bombs in a cellophane treat bag, tie with a ribbon and place in a cute Christmas or holiday mug.
Download and print off these cute gift tags to complete the present!
Did you make these Hot Cocoa Bombs? I would love to see your creations! Take a photo and tag me on Instagram or leave a photo comment on Pinterest.
Feel free to leave a comment and a rating below. Feedback is always appreciated! 😊
📖 Recipe
DIY Hot Cocoa Bombs
Equipment
- 2-2.5 inch diameter silicone mold
- Paintbrush
- Spoon
- Microwave safe bowl
- Ziploc bags
Ingredients
- 2 cups Milk chocolate chips
- 6 tbsp Hot cocoa mix
- 1 cup Mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup White chocolate chips Optional
Instructions
- Melt 2 cups of milk chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 15 seconds. All the chips should be melted and the chocolate should be smooth and silky.
- Fill all the molds using a paintbrush. Paint on one layer and place in the freezer for several minutes and then paint on another layer of chocolate. Be sure to cover the bottom all the way to the rim of the molds.
- Place filled molds in freezer for about 5 minutes until chocolate fully sets.
- Fill the 6 of the molds with 1 tbsp. of hot cocoa mix and as many marshmallows as will fit.
- Fill a Ziploc bag with some of the remaining chocolate. Reheat if needed before filling. Trim a corner off of the Ziploc bag and use as a piping bag. Pipe chocolate around the rim of each filled mold and seal using an unfilled mold.
- Melt the white chocolate chips in a clean microwave safe bowl, stirring every 15 seconds until chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Scoop chocolate into another Ziploc bag and trim off corner to create piping bag. Drizzle white chocolate on shell of bombs to decorate. While chocolate is still wet, add any crushed candy canes, sprinkles or additional decorations you may want.
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