Homemade Hot Chocolate Bombs Recipe -- Just Add Milk! (2024)

Hot chocolate bombs are the coolest way to drink hot cocoa — they “explode” with chocolate and marshmallows when you add hot milk!

Hot Chocolate Bombs with Marshmallows

I first heard about hot chocolate bombs from a friend who is always hip to the latest internet trends. He told me that my kids and my blog readers would love them!

Just like the name says, hot cocoa bombs literally “explode” in your mug. All you have to do is add steaming hot milk!

I’ve seen these chocolate concoctions for sale for $5 and up in stores, but they are surprisingly easy to make at home if you have the molds.

Kids can totally help make them and you can customize with different flavors of chocolate, fillings, and toppings. We made ours using milk chocolate and sprinkles, but I have some ideas for fun variations for other holidays too!

Related: Try our Grinch Hot Cocoa Bombs too!

What You Need to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs

I’ve provided this quick list of shop-able ingredients for your convenience; disclosure policy here. A free printable copy of this recipe, with full ingredient amounts, is available at the bottom of the post.

• Milk chocolate melting wafers — We used milk chocolate, but you could switch it up and use dark chocolate, white chocolate, etc.
• Hot cocoa mix — Use your favorite kind! You’ll need about a Tablespoon or so for each serving. Keep in mind that even if that is less than the recommended serving, you’ll have plenty of chocolate from the molds and chocolate chips.
• Chocolate chips — Optional, but they add extra chocolate flavor. And in my humble opinion, the more chocolate the better!
• Mini marshmallows — The more marshmallows you add, the more it will look like your hot cocoa bomb is “exploding” when you add milk.
• Decorating supplies — We added a drizzle of white chocolate and festive sprinkles to the top of our chocolate bombs, but you can really get creative here!

Kitchen Tools Used

• Semi sphere chocolate molds — They may also be searchable as hot chocolate bomb molds
• Double boiler pan — for melting the chocolate
• Saucepan — for heating the milk

How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs

Melt chocolate wafers using a double boiler or microwave safe mixing bowl. If using microwave, stop to stir every 20 seconds until smooth.

Pour a large spoonful of melted chocolate into each mold, then use the back of the spoon to spread the chocolate up the sides of the mold. Do this slowly so that the chocolate dries and sets in place as you spread it.

You may want to work on all of the molds at the same time so that your chocolate in the bowl does not harden too soon.

Put mold in freezer for 15 minutes to harden the chocolate.

If the chocolate looks “weak” when you try to pop it out of mold, add another layer of melted chocolate and freeze. Do this until you have a sturdy shell.

When you’re ready to assemble, pop the halves out of mold.

Place half of your chocolate semi circles on a plate, the open side facing up like a bowl. Fill them with a spoonful of hot cocoa powder, a few chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Add as many marshmallows as you can fit.

Heat a pan on stove (with a little water in it so it doesn’t scorch). Press the open edge of the remaining chocolate halves onto the hot pan so that it melts the edges and you can press it onto the bottom half of the bomb (which is filled with goodies).

Hold in place until the two halves seal and set.

Feel free to decorate with a chocolate drizzle, sprinkles, etc.

How to Serve a Hot Chocolate Bomb

To serve, place the chocolate bomb in the bottom of an empty mug. Heat milk on the stovetop until steaming, but not boiling.

Carefully pour the hot milk on top of the chocolate bomb in your mug. The cocoa bombs should “explode” when the milk melts the chocolate.

Stir before serving to dissolve the hot cocoa powder.

Careful, the milk is hot enough to melt chocolate, so make sure it is not too hot to drink before serving.

Why isn’t my chocolate bomb melting?

Answer: Your milk probably isn’t hot enough. While we don’t want to use boiling milk for safety reasons, it does need to be hot enough to melt the chocolate.

Try heating the milk in a saucepan (it’s harder to tell when the milk is hot enough when using a microwave). When the milk is steaming and just starting to simmer, it should be hot enough to melt the cocoa bombs.

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of melting wafers?

The reason we used melting wafers is because they are meant to be melted and easier to work with. They melt smoothly and will harden evenly without waxy swirls or lumps.

Chocolate chips, on the other hand, are meant to keep their shape somewhat during baking. Can you imagine a chocolate chip cookie if the chips melted completely?

That being said, it IS possible to use chocolate chips for candy-making, in a pinch. However, you’ll need to stir in a Tablespoon of shortening or coconut oil after melting for better results.

More of our favorite hot chocolate recipes:

• Oreo White Hot Chocolate
• Keto Whipped Hot Chocolate
• Slow Cooker Mint Hot Chocolate
• Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bombs

Hot Chocolate Bomb Recipe

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