Homemade Hot Chocolate Bar

Once the weather turns cold, our Happy Hour transforms into a cozy tea time, with no, uh, tea.  Instead, our coffee nook gets a hot chocolate overhaul complete with a homemade hot chocolate mix, peppermints, chips of all sorts, and marshmallows galore.

It’s pretty spectacular, but also pretty simple.  You see, once it’s set up, it’s a treat that ready to go for afterschool snacks, expected and unexpected guests alike, playdates, and with the addition of some peppermint or vanilla libations (or not, you certainly don’t need it) a great drink for girls’ night.

A homemade hot chocolate mix is delicious but not necessary, remember you can buy these things.  You can even put a purchased mix in a cutie little cookie jar like this one:

If you are looking for a good recipe, grab mine below.  In all honesty, it is tastier than storebought and makes a ton too, which should extend your Tea Time season.  Just make sure you use the largest bowl you own to mix it up!

Of course, it’s the mix-ins that make it fun.  This year we’ve got:

• crushed candy canes

• chocolate chips

• peanut butter chips

• Lucky Charm Marshmallows

• Pirouette Cookies

• Cookies and Cream Filled Marshmallows

• Whipped Cream

Last year, I upcycled some jars to store our mix-ins. 

This year, I’m reusing the jars that made it past flower season as well as some cute serving wear I inherited from my mother-in-law.

Enjoy!  Are you a cocoa bar house, too?  Take a video and tag me on Instagram @onehundredpeopleproject – I want to see it!