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As we say goodbye to the warmth of summer and the crisp, fresh days of fall, it’s time to look forward to the things we love about the chillier winter months. One of our faves? Hot chocolate, of course! This season, gather up your crew and invite them inside for a gathering that’s anchored by a fantastic hot chocolate bar. Trust us — it’s a super simple but wow-worthy way to impress your guests of all ages. (Pssst — we can’t get enough of Aldi’s new hot cocoa bombs. Yum!).
Whether you’re a post-Halloween holiday connoisseur or you’d prefer to wait until December to get cozy, we’ve included all the info (and inspo!) you’ll need to create your very own hot chocolate bar, complete with an array of tasty toppings, whether you’re throwing a Christmas party or having a special family dessert night. That way, each of your guests can create their very own sweet concoction.
How to Set Up a Hot Chocolate Bar
The first thing you’ll need in order to set up a hot chocolate bar is a place to do it. This, of course, will depend on the size and layout of your home, the furniture you have at your disposal, and which area of your home is most conducive to this type of gathering.
You’ll ideally want to choose an open space with plenty of room for your guests to access the hot chocolate bar. Your “bar” can be anything from a long buffet-style hutch to a circular table; what matters most is that there’s room for the hot chocolate and all the fixings. (If your space is on the smaller side, you can create different hot cocoa bar shifts for the different ingredients.)
Once you’ve got your space identified, you’ll need to figure out how you’ll keep your hot chocolate warm. The easiest way is to make it in a slow cooker, but you can also keep it on the stove and simply have your hot chocolate bar contain everything except the actual hot chocolate.
What You’ll Need for a Hot Chocolate Bar
Now that you’ve identified where and how you’ll set up your hot chocolate bar, you can add a splash of personality by including some decorative touches, along with useful items to make the evening run more smoothly. Here are some things you might need:
Hot Chocolate Bar Recipes
Now, for the main event. The hot chocolate will be the foundation of your hot chocolate bar, so you’ll want to make it as tasty as possible. Whether you choose to have one type of hot chocolate or several, we’ve included some of our favorite recipes for inspiration.
Hot Chocolate Bar Toppings
Speaking of homemade whipped cream! Once you’ve got your hot chocolate game secured, elevate it to the next level by adding a variety of tasty toppings to your hot chocolate bar. Here are some ideas that have a little something for everyone:
Other Desserts for Your Hot Chocolate Bar
Don’t forget the treats! If you’d like to serve goodies alongside your hot chocolate bar, you’ve got lots of options. You could simply put out some store-bought items, like a tray of cookies and brownies or a fruit platter, or you could ask your guests to each bring an item to share. But if you’re really looking to level up your hosting, you can whip up a few of your own favorite cold-weather treats using these recipes:
Have you ever tried making a hot chocolate bar at your holiday party? How did it go?