I’ve been dreaming about having a hot chocolate bar in my home for years. It was one of the most exciting visions I had for my new dining room buffet. I knew that I would finally have the perfect place to set up a hot chocolate bar.
I don’t know about you, but I am a huge hot chocolate fan and I can’t get enough of the stuff during the “cold” months. I put cold in quotation marks because I’m not sure it gets all that cold here in Alabama. But if the temperature is less than 50 degrees, then a piping cup of hot cocoa will be just the ticket!
So, every winter, about this time, I whip up a batch of the creamiest hot chocolate (recipe here) and store it away in a large canister for the coming months. (I usually make a second batch, fill up a bunch of mason jars and hand them out as Christmas gifts with a tub of popcorn!)
But this year I went one step further and collected some of my favorite, simple hot chocolate toppings and gathered them all in one spot on the new buffet for my hot chocolate bar!
What You’ll Need for a Hot Chocolate Bar
- Hot Chocolate, of course (best recipe HERE – so yummy and stores easily all winter long!)
- Toppings (see my full list below)
- Containers (I got mine here.)
- Spoons
- Mugs (These travel mugs are perfect for a party!)
- Electric Kettle (I prefer to leave my hot chocolate mix in powder form and let my friends and family add the powder to hot water. This allows them to control how strong it is. We bought this electric kettle recently and love it! It heats up to boiling water in seconds. It gets really hot, so sometimes I’ll stop it before it completely finishes heating so we don’t burn our mouths.)
- Tray, optional
I just whipped up a batch of my grandmother’s hot chocolate recipe and filled up the large hocking jar. Then filled up the smaller jars with my favorite toppings. I included just the basics like marshmallows, caramels, sprinkles, toffee bits and candy canes. I’ll probably add whipped cream when we’re having people over or a special event. I love some whipped cream in my hot chocolate, layered over some marshmallows with just a few sprinkles on top. Yum!!
The tray is a perfect place to keep your hot chocolate bar, that way you can move it around if need be. I plan to keep mine on top of the refrigerator when not in use, because of a little 2-year-old who lives here. 😉 But I will say that all of those glass jars are heavy, so be careful moving it around.
A Hot Chocolate Bar Toppings List
- Crushed peppermint, or
- Candy Canes
- Soft Peppermint Sticks
- Toffee Bits
- Caramels
- Marshmallows
- Sea Salt
- Cinnamon
- Caramel Sauce
- Chocolate Sauce
- Whipped Cream
- Andes Mints
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Chili Powder (for those who like it spicy 💃🏻)
- Pirouette Cookies
- Biscotti
- Whoppers
What is your favorite combo choice in your hot chocolate? Do you have a hot chocolate or coffee bar at your home?
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Jane says
Hi Laura! I am late (not unusual) in reading this delightful post, but wanted to add a brief comment: it is of course gorgeous and welcoming, & I will definitely try it next year… but, have you heard of Stroupe Waffles? I learned about them this year for the first time ever. Oh my. Yes indeed. If you don’t know these Dutch cookies, I would recommend you give them a try. You warm them over your cup of steaming coffee (or hot cocoa) to make the creamy insides even gooshier. They are highly addictive. Safeway sells them, probably Amazon too – but for the best price, cruise TJ Maxx every so often.
And I agree with, like, every kind & appreciative thing other commenters have said! Thank you. I enjoy your blog so much.
Sincerely, Jane.
Laura says
Hi Jane! I LOVE stoop waffles! I lived in Indonesia for 2 years in my 20’s and it was settled by the Dutch, so I was introduced to the stoop waffle there. I treat myself every now and then and loooove one over a hot cup of coffee. My mouth is now drooling. LOL Thank you for sharing! Others will read this and head off to the store to discover them for themselves. 🙂
Melinda says
Love this idea! I have a coffee bar in my home and love the idea of having hot chocolate too!
Anne says
My sister and her family are staying with us for Christmas, and i think this will be an awesome treat that folks can fix themselves whenever they want.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Ashley says
Hi Laura!
Thank you so much for your emails! They are like a little treat in my inbox that is overflowing with work! I always look forward to reading them!
I absolutely LOVE your Isaiah 9:6 sign on your Hot Chocolate Bar! Is that a printable? Where did you get it?
I wanted to tell you thank you for being someone that keeps Christ in Christmas! I love your bold display of faith all year round! And also, in case you didn’t know, you’re doing a great a great job!!
It was on my heart to share John 11:40 with you!
Enjoy your day!
Ashley
Laura says
Awwww, thank you so much, Ashley! Thank you for taking the time to share some encouragement. 🙂 The sign is from Grace Laced and you can get it here —>>> https://gracelaced.com/collections/christmas/products/prince-of-peace-print