How To Make Hot Chocolate Bombs (Recipe)

As soon as I learned such a thing existed, I wanted to learn how to make hot chocolate bombs. For the unfamiliar, a hot chocolate bomb is a chocolate sphere filled with hot cocoa mix. To prepare it, you just place one in a mug, pour hot milk or hot water over the top, and watch as the bomb dissolves into the best hot chocolate you’ll ever sip!

There are a few different types of hot chocolate bombs you can buy or make at home. Some are solid chocolate (sometimes referred to as “chocolate drops”), while others are hollow chocolate spheres. Also, some are simple and plain while others contain tasty additions or are topped with edible decorations.

Due to their popularity, hot chocolate bombs have been difficult to find in stores in recent years, but it’s easy (and rather fun!) to make hot cocoa bombs at home! In this post, I’ll show you how to make your own DIY hot cocoa bombs in a step by step tutorial, whether as a treat for yourself or to give as holiday gifts!

How To Make Hot Chocolate Bombs (Recipe)

You’ll need:

• 12 oz milk chocolate candy melts (or dark chocolate)
• 6 servings hot cocoa mix*
• Add-ins, optional (see below)
• White chocolate candy melts, optional
• Half sphere silicone molds
• Spoon

*What constitutes a serving will vary according to the mix you use, so use your best judgment. For instance, one serving of my favorite semi-homemade hot chocolate mix is about 3 tablespoons, while a single serving of Swiss Miss is closer to 2 tablespoons.

Optional Add-Ins

Here are a few ideas of extra ingredients you can add while filling your homemade hot cocoa bombs:

• Mini marshmallows
• Candy cane bits
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Sprinkles
• Dash of cinnamon
• Peanut butter
• Toffee bits
• Caramel bits
• Chopped candy bars
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

Directions:

Step 1 – Make The Chocolate Shells

Start by melting the chocolate candy melts. You can either pop the chocolate in the microwave and heat it in 30-second increments, or melt it in a double boiler. (You can create a makeshift double boiler by bringing a pot of water to a simmer, then setting a heat-safe bowl on top of the pot without touching the water.)

Note: The microwave method is quicker, but the gentle heat from a double boiler helps temper chocolate to produce a shiny finish. I’d recommend the latter method if you’re giving them as gifts and want them to look as good as they taste, but either method will produce delicious results!

Pour a heaping tablespoon of melted chocolate into the cavities of a half sphere silicone mold. Use the back of a spoon to spread the chocolate up the sides until the chocolate begins to harden, then add a second layer of chocolate, if necessary, to create a sturdy, hollow shell.

Step 2 – Remove And Fill The Shells

Place the mold in your freezer for 5-10 minutes to set the chocolate, then carefully release the chocolate shells from the mold. Continue until you have 12 cups in total (or double the number of bombs you want to make).

Fill half of the chocolate cups with a single serving of your hot cocoa mix (and marshmallows, if using). Pile any other add-ins you want to use on top (see Optional Add-ins above for ideas!)

Step 3 – Seal The Bombs

Next, you’ll connect empty shells to the rims of the filled ones to create full spheres. I found this easiest to do with a warm plate — you can warm up a heat-safe plate in your microwave, or by dipping it into boiling water and patting it dry with a towel.

Take one of the empty chocolate shells and twist the open end against the warm plate until it begins to melt. Position the melted edge against the top of one of your filled shells, then hold them together until the chocolate hardens and the shell is sealed. Repeat this step with all of the remaining chocolate shells.

If you spot any gaps in the shells, use the back of a hot spoon to gently melt that spot to seal the gap. A clean paint brush dipped into a small amount of melted chocolate would also work well!

Step 4 – Decorate Your Hot Cocoa Bombs

At this point, you can spruce up your hot chocolate bombs (or cover up any imperfections) with some edible decorations. Adding a drizzle of white chocolate on top is easy and creates a nice contrast — you can drizzle melted white chocolate over the tops with a spoon, or a piping bag if you’re shooting for fine, neat lines.

Before the chocolate drizzle sets, sprinkle the tops with chopped nuts, crushed candy canes, sprinkles, or whatever you like! Once your hot chocolate bombs are complete, put them back in your freezer for 5 minutes (or your fridge for 30 minutes) to set them.

Store your finished hot chocolate bombs at cool room temperature. (Don’t store them in the fridge, since it can lead to condensation issues.)

How To Prepare Hot Cocoa Bombs As A Drink

To turn one of your chocolate spheres into a delicious mug of hot cocoa, place it in a mug and slowly pour the hot milk over the top. The hot liquid will melt your chocolate shell away, revealing the cocoa mix inside and your delicious add-ins. Stir well and enjoy!

Preparation FAQs

• How much milk do you need for a hot chocolate bomb? Plan on using just shy of 1 cup of milk per bomb.
• Can you use hot water for hot chocolate bombs? Yes, you can use hot water in place of milk, but it won’t be nearly as creamy.
• Can you use plant milks? Sure!

BONUS: Tips For Gifting Homemade Hot Chocolate Bombs

• Package hot chocolate bombs individually in cellophane bags and tie them closed with a festive ribbon. It makes for a nice presentation, plus it will protect their decoration and prevent the bombs from sticking together.)
• Pair a couple of homemade hot chocolate bombs with a holiday mug or some fresh-baked cookies to make a great gift!

Have you tried making or drinking hot chocolate bombs?