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You are here: Home / Beverage Recipes / How to Make a Hot Chocolate Bar

How to Make a Hot Chocolate Bar

December 3, 2019 By Jeanine Friesen Leave a Comment

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I’ll show you how to Make a Hot Chocolate Bar that is cute and doesn’t take a lot of time, money, or space. Perfect for parties, Christmas, or all winter long.

A tiered stand full of hot chocolate fixings

Earlier this winter, while I was browsing Pinterest, I saw some cute ideas for hot cocoa bars. I made a Hot Chocolate Bar a few years ago for my daughter’s birthday party (you can check out that Pinterest board HERE), and loved the idea of it.

Since it was on a side table, it took up quite a bit of room, so it wasn’t something I could leave set out all the time.

Fixings for a hot chocolate bar

The Stand:

This year I got the idea of using a tiered stand for the hot chocolate bar. I’m loving this idea, because it really doesn’t take up a lot of room on the sideboard I have it on, yet it is filled with fun, festive goodies.

You can find tiered serving trays with two or three levels, round or rectangle, wood or metal, shiny or dull – the options are nearly endless. You can customize this to go with your decor. Stores like Hobby Lobby, Marshalls, Target, TJ Maxx and Winners sometimes have tiered trays. All else fails, there is always Amazon to find exactly what you are looking for.

Don’t see the tiered tray as only being a stand for the hot chocolate bar either, you can use it year round by changing out what it holds.

A hot chocolate bar

Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

The fixings for a cute Hot Chocolate Bar:

These are just some ideas of what you can fill your tiered tray with to create your hot cocoa bar.

  • Individual flavored hot chocolate packets (always check these for gluten)
  • Flavored coffee syrups (again, check for gluten)
  • K-cups for a variety of hot chocolate, coffee, or tea.
  • Seasonal teas (We like the Stash brand teas, but read the labels, some varieties contain gluten).
  • Mini Marshmallows, crushed candy canes and sprinkles to top your hot chocolate with.
  • Candy canes (check that they do not contain gluten).
  • Chocolate spoons (easy to make your own!)

Hot Chocolate Bar fixings

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix recipes:

Feel free to create your own homemade hot chocolate mixes to go with your hot chocolate bar. Here are a few recipes to get you started:

  • Maca Hot Cocoa Mix from Homespun Seasonal Living
  • Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix (3 flavors) from Snappy Gourmet
  • DIY Hot Chocolate on a Stick from Snappy Gourmet
  • Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix from Savoring the Good
  • Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix from Cooking with Carlee
  • Dairy Free Hot Cocoa Mix from The Fit Cookie
  • Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix (vegan) from The Honour System
  • Peppermint Patty Drink from Platter Talk
  • Lavender Hot Chocolate Mix from Country Hill Cottage
  • Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix (plus a printable gift tag) from Away From the Box
  • Dairy-Free Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix from Joy Food Sunshine
  • DIY Reindeer Hot Cocoa Cones craft from Savvy Saving Couple
  • Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix recipe from Tikkido
  • How to Make Homemade Hot Cocoa Cubes from Staying Close to  Home
  • Mason Jar Hot Chocolate Mix Favors (with a printable) from Bride on a Budget
  • How to Make a Maca Latte from Hey Nutrition Lady

A hot chocolate bar on a tiered stand

The “Extras” that will make your Hot Chocolate Bar special:

In addition to a variety of hot chocolates, teas, coffees, flavored syrups, chocolates, and candy canes, I added a few more things to round out my DIY hot cocoa bar.

I added a few small cute winter/Christmas signs that I picked up at the dollar store. While there, I also found a few holiday mugs to add to the stand. And no hot cocoa bar would be complete without some cute napkins. I found some small buffalo plaid napkins with gold Christmas trees at Marshalls. To finish it off, I added a few small sprigs of artificial greenery and berries.

You could also add a few small bottles of booze (for the adults only, obviously). Small bottles of brandy or Irish cream would go with hot cocoa very well.

A kid friendly alternative to the alcohol is flavored coffee creamers. I have a few in my fridge right now just for that reason. And don’t forget the can of whipped cream. Having whipped topping on hand when making a mug at a time is so just so convenient.

DIY Hot Chocolate Bar

The One Thing you Must Not Forget:

Have fun with your DIY Hot Chocolate Bar. Personalize it and make it yours. With the variety of drink mixes, add-ins and toppings that I have, I doubt I will have the same hot chocolate twice this year. The combinations are endless.

I hope this has inspired you to create your own hot chocolate bar this year. It is perfect for entertaining, or just to add a cozy spot among your holiday decor.

If you make your own version, I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @Faithfullygf

And don’t forget to PIN THIS to your Pinterest inspiration boards. You never know who else you may inspire!

How to Make a Hot Chocolate Bar

Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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Filed Under: Beverage Recipes Tagged With: Beverages

About Jeanine Friesen

Jeanine Friesen is the creator of gluten free recipes that are so good, you can't tell they are gluten free. Her site, Faithfully Gluten Free, has been helping the gluten free community live a life filled with delicious food since 2008. She has also published a beginner guide for those on the gluten free journey called "The Everything Guide to Living Gluten Free".

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