Hot Chocolate Bars Are A Versatile Way To Add Toppings To Your Drink
Whether you enjoy a spicier cup of Mexican hot chocolate or a dessert nightcap in the form of a boozy hot cocoa, hot chocolate remains a quintessential cold-weather drink, but it's certainly enjoyable any time of year. No matter which way you decide to make it, the delicious drink can be sprinkled with an array of tasty toppings, from marshmallows and chocolate chips to coconut flakes and toffee bits. And one easy way to get all of your favorite hot cocoa toppings in one place is to put together an adorably irresistible hot chocolate bar.
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In a nutshell, the hot cocoa station features an assortment of delightful toppings, syrups, and, of course, hot cocoa mix. The sweet setup is all the rage on TikTok, with the hashtag #hotcocoabar garnering more than 116 million views. But the best part about this scrumptious treat is you can build your hot chocolate bar any way you want it. Put your toppings in jars, set them out in bowls, or place them in a holiday-themed tray.
Get creative with how you display your toppings — use mason jars for taller items like candy canes, cinnamon sticks, and rock candy "stir sticks" — and ramekins for smaller goodies, like festive sprinkles, chocolate chips, marshmallows, red hots, and more. Or arrange everything on a wooden board, almost like an elegant hot cocoa charcuterie board. We can almost taste the cocoa now — and let's just say, we're all dying for a sip.
Just don't forget about the accessories
Once you've chosen the nook of your kitchen where you'd like your hot chocolate bar to be and assembled all of the basics, be sure to customize your holiday spread by setting out a few accessories, too. If you're hosting a party, use cute and festive signs to direct your guests to the assembled hot cocoa tray, along with a mug tree and holiday-themed mugs. Don't forget the accouterment — add a can of whipped cream, a bottle of caramel or chocolate drizzle, and maybe a bottle of Bailey's for those who want a harder tipple.
Take your DIY bar to the next level by designing your own chalkboard sign and consider labeling all of your sweet treats, which will come in handy if you plan on serving guests or hosting a party. You can also decorate your hot cocoa station with Christmas decorations, such as twinkling lights, pine cones, miniature trees, or even a holiday-themed tablecloth. And, instead of setting the decadent bar up in your kitchen, you can also transform a bar cart if you have one on hand, which will allow you to take the hot cocoa sipping on the go.