Cool Winter Party Snack: Have a Hot Chocolate Bar

Gourmet hot chocolate is a “hot” party snack at cool gatherings.  Every chocolate maker puts his or her own spin on the beverage, and you can buy decadent versions of “Wicked Hot Chocolate” at Jacques Torres in New York, or Black Sipping Chocolate at Norman Love Chocolates in Fort Myers, Florida.  And, there are hundreds of versions in between.

If you’re enduring bitterly cold weather, lots of snow, and thinking about a party to lift your spirits and chase away the blues during January, February, or March, include a hot chocolate bar in your food and beverage plans.

And Now a Word from our Sponsor…

The hot chocolate pot pictured at the left is definitely worth it if you love hot chocolate or are having a hot chocolate bar.  It allows you to microwave the milk (or water-but the best hot chocolate is made with milk), without worrying about having a face-full of scalding hot milk when you take the pot out.  (You should never microwave liquids like water, coffee, tea, or milk without a stir stick or a lid.  They can become super-heated and explode when you remove them from the microwave.) 

It is large enough to make several cups, ready for “toppings,” and the frother helps you mix gourmet chocolate mixes made from real, solid chocolate in a neat and efficient way.  (Katie has one of these and she uses it way more than she probably should!)

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Hot Chocolate Bar

You can set up a hot chocolate bar with gourmet chocolate, or with Swiss Miss.  Hot chocolate is such a fun snack that it’s yummy, whether gourmet or straight out of a package.  To have a hot chocolate bar, set up an area with plenty of spoons, mugs and hot chocolate.  Those are your basics.  Then, add bowls and bottles and jars of the following toppings:

• marshmallows
• mini-chocolate chips
• mini-butterscotch chips
• peppermint flakes
• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• cayenne pepper (for your own “wicked” hot chocolate)
• cocoa powder
• raspberry drizzle
• butterscotch and peppermint schnapps
• caramels and caramel topping
• peanut butter topping

Instant “Homemade” Hot Chocolate

Katie’s mom used to make this for her and send her big tupperware containers full of it to college.  It is a good balance between homemade hot chocolate and super gourmet hot chocolate.

• 1 lb Nestle’s Quick
• 1 box (8 quarts) Powdered Milk
• 11 ounces of Powdered Coffee Creamer
• 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar

Mix all dry ingredients together.  For use, mix 1/2 cup of the mix with 1 cup of boiling water.