Hot chocolate bombs are a fun treat to make and even more fun to stir and watch disappear in a cup of hot milk! The most decadent cup of hot chocolate you'll ever drink! If you've seen the viral exploding hot chocolate bomb videos on Tik Tok----these are it! This post contains affiliate links.
If you like these you'll love our SNOWMAN hot chocolate bombs and our peppermint bark hot chocolate bombs!
Note: Amazon is having a hard time keeping up with the chocolate silicone molds! I used these ones, but these ones are great if you want to make multiple sizes. Keep checking as they restock!
Watch our step by step Hot Chocolate Bomb video!
Hot Chocolate Bombs Tik Tok Trend
Tik Tok blew up this year with hot chocolate bomb videos. I'm a bit behind the times and don't use Tik Tok so I first saw them while browsing Facebook. I saw an ad from a local company for hot cocoa bombs. They linked a video and I immediately went to Amazon and bought a silicone chocolate mold. It HAD TO BE DONE. My kids agreed. The video of the hot milk being poured over the hot cocoa bomb was so mesmerizing! It was also an excuse to buy a big bag of freeze-dried mini marshmallows. We'll talk about that in a minute.
Hot chocolate bombs are all over the place. You can even buy them at Costco this year so if you find that making your own isn’t your thing, you can still get your hands on some this holiday season.
What is a hot chocolate bomb?
A hot chocolate bomb is made with melted chocolate chips, hot cocoa powder, and mini marshmallows. When added to a cup of hot milk the bomb breaks open, releasing the hot cocoa mix and mini marshmallows. After a quick stir you'll have a decadent cup of cocoa! I’ve seen them made with all different kinds of chocolates and different methods for making the chocolate spheres in the silicone mold. We made a few batches to see what we liked best. Here’s what worked for us!
How To Enjoy a Hot Chocolate Bomb
When you place one in a cup and pour hot milk over it, it melts and mini marshmallows magically appear! I've found that 1 ½ cups of milk is the perfect amount.
The extra chocolate takes ANY hot chocolate mix to the next level.
My favorite hot chocolate has always been from Starbucks. If you like the creamy cup that you can get at your local Starbucks location, you'll LOVE this one! I make it with Starbuck's hot chocolate powder mix. Rich flavor, creamy, and super chocolatey---even when made with skim milk.
Types of Chocolate To Use for Hot Chocolate Bombs
I used chocolate chips. Other types of chocolate that would work well are melting wafers (I like Ghirardelli), almond bark, or chopped chocolate bars (milk or dark chocolate).
Ingredients & Supplies
- Hot Chocolate Bomb Mold (the best one)
- Chocolate Chips
- White Chocolate Chips (optional)
- Hot Cocoa Mix
- Mini Marshmallows
I've been wanting to add these freeze-dried mini marshmallows to our hot cocoa bar that we set up every holiday season, and this was a great time to order a bag. You can definitely use regular mini marshmallows (and we have), but these are just fun and really pop out of the hot chocolate bomb when the milk is poured over. They are basically tiny Lucky Charm marshmallows.
How To Make Hot Chocolate Bombs
You'll need 1 cup of milk chocolate chips. You'll also need 3 tablespoons of hot chocolate powder mix (any kind will do) and 3 tablespoons of mini marshmallows. And let's not forget the chocolate mold. for making the chocolate shell.*
This will create 6 chocolate cups that, when fit together, will create 3 hot chocolate bombs.
*The mold actually comes with 2 trays to make 6 hot chocolate bombs at a time. This recipe will show how to make 3, but you can easily double it. You can also buy this set that makes multiple sizes of hot chocolate bombs.
Here's the Clif note version. For the full version with photos, scroll to the end of the post.
Step 1: Melt Chocolate Chips
Step 2: Fill Hot Chocolate Bomb Mold With Chocolate
Step 3: Refrigerate Mold
Step 4: Fill Chocolate Molds With Hot Cocoa
Step 5: Assemble Chocolate Bomb
Step 6: Finishing Touches
Our chocolate bombs are about 2.5" in diameter and work great in a wide mug. Mine are from Target.
These would make great gifts during the holidays! Packaged in a cellophane bag or and placed inside a mug.
Hot Chocolate Bomb Add-Ins
- Mini Marshmallows
- Crushed Candy Canes
- Andes Mint Pieces (baking bits)
- White chocolate chips
- Peanut butter chips
- Sprinkles inside or on the outside of the hot cocoa bombs
- Melted candy melts to drizzle over finished cocoa bombs
How Much Milk To Pour Over Hot Chocolate Bombs
1 cup or 1 ½ cups of milk (any kind of milk). Obviously, 1 cup is a little richer. I like using 1 ½ cups of skim milk.
How To Store Hot Chocolate Bombs
Hot chocolate bombs can be stored in an airtight container, or individually packaged for up to two weeks at room temperature. They would ideally be stored away in a cool, dry place, away from a window or heat source.
They can be stored in the freezer or refrigerator short-term, but be careful as the fridge can introduce moisture to the hot chocolate mix, and the freezer may cause condensation and moisture to form as the chocolate thaws to room temperature again.
Tips and Tricks for Making Perfect Hot Chocolate Bombs
- My BIGGEST tip: Melt a little extra chocolate and make a few extra chocolate cups your first time making these. That way, if you have a couple that don't turn out, you'll have extras to replace them with. Consider your first time a practice run. That's what we did. We had no expectations, and actually ended up with 4 out of 6 bombs that turned out great! The others were delicious (we didn't let them go to waste), but they had holes in the seams because we handled them when they weren't quite set up all the way and it caused them to be misshaped.
- DO NOT overheat the chocolate chips. Chocolate can be melted in a double boiler or in the microwave.
- The key to success is making sure the chocolate has time to really set up in the refrigerator. If the chocolate is soft (AT ALL) it will stretch and break.
- Use any extra melted chocolate to fill in weak spots. Before taking the chocolate cups out of the mold, examine them carefully to see if there are any thin areas that could use a little more chocolate. Add more chocolate, refrigerate a bit longer, and continue on your way.
- Like any other chocolate project, if you handle the chocolate too much the heat from your hands will cause it to soften. If you find this to be the case while you are smoothing out edges and seams in the chocolate molds, just place the molds back in the refrigerator for 5 minutes or so.
- You can use a hot spoon or knife to smooth out the center seam. If your seam doesn't match up perfectly, you can dip your finger in some of the extra melted chocolate and carefully run it along the seam. You can also pipe some chocolate over the seam (like we did for these ones) and allow it to set up. This will also seal the edges.
- Work quickly to avoid fingerprints on the chocolate balls. You can combat this also by wearing candy making gloves. I haven't used the gloves but heard they work great.
4 More Hot Chocolate Recipes You'll Love!
White Hot Chocolate With Polar Bear Marshmallows
Hot Chocolate Bomb Recipe
Hot Chocolate Bombs
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 3 Tbsp. hot chocolate mix
- 3 Tbsp. mini marshmallows
- chocolate mold
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Melt chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir. Continue to microwave in 15-second intervals until chocolate chips are melted and smooth. DO NOT overheat the chocolate.
- Add a spoonful of chocolate into 6 chocolate mold cavities. Smooth chocolate up the sides of each mold with a spoon. Add more chocolate as necessary to coat the inside of each mold.Let the chocolate sit for a few minutes. Check to see if there are any areas that need to be covered again, then smooth out the sides with a spoon. This will help ensure that the sides and center of the mold are evenly coated with chocolate.There will be a little extra chocolate leftover in the bowl. Save this to patch any weak areas or seal the middle seam after the chocolate hardens.
- Refrigerate chocolate for at least 30 minutes or until completely set.Gently remove from the mold.
- Fill 3 halve-spheres with 1 tablespoon of cocoa mix and 1 tablespoon of mini marshmallows.
- You will need a hot bowl or plate. Press one of the empty chocolate cups against the warm plate to slightly melt the rim.
- Place the empty chocolate cup over one of the filled ones. Work quickly and try not to handle the chocolate too much. The warmth of your hands will leave fingerprints and can soften the chocolate. If you notice this happening just pop the chocolates back into the refrigerator for a few minutes.
- Run a hot spoon along the seam where the two chocolate cups meet to slightly melt the chocolate and seal the seam. If you have any gaps you can also pipe some melted chocolate over the seam and it will also seal it nice and tight.
- Melt white chocolate chips and place in a plastic baggie. Cut the corner and drizzle over hot chocolate bombs (optional). If you'd like to add any decorations (like sprinkles), you can do that at this time while the white chocolate is still melted. Refrigerate chocolate bombs for 30 minutes.
- To make a cup of hot chocolate, place one hot chocolate bomb in a mug. Pour 1 ½ cups of hot milk over bomb. Stir. For an even richer cup of hot chocolate, add a splash of heavy cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Carla says
There might be an overly obvious answer and I'm just missing it... But how do you keep the bomb from melting when you drizzle the top with melted chocolate? I made my 1st one tonight and it melted right through. Lol It did NOT go to waste.
Brandy says
Hi Carla! So for the chocolate drizzle, I melted it in the microwave just enough to make it warm, then worked the bag with my hands to move it around and melt the rest of the chocolate. So the chocolate was just warm, not hot. Does that make sense?
Mar says
Waste of supplies and effort. Where was the video. All I saw were a bunch of pictures
Brandy says
Hi Mar, do you have a pop up blocker on your browser? The video plays automatically below the first image.
Debbie says
Tried this recipe and it came out perfectly!!! Thank you for making this so easy to understand!!
Brandy says
Yay! I’m so glad!
Crystal says
My daughter and I made these last night. They are our trial ones before making for friends and family. We are following your tips today as a lot of what you said completely made sense as to why we had some holes, fingerprints, etc. We appreciate your very specific and helpful instructions! Happy Holidays!
Brandy says
Wonderful! So glad you guys are trying them!
Michele says
Is 1 TBSP of hot chocolate mix enough? I've seen other recipes that call for 3 TBSP & have wondered if that is too much... Does the chocolate shell of the bomb make up for the lesser mix amount? Thanks!!
Brandy says
Hi Michele! The chocolate shell makes it a super rich cup of hot chocolate! 🙂
Carol Weber says
I've got my molds, the mini marshmallows are arriving today, so I'll be making these and having them ready for Christmas! I'm looking ahead and thinking about the milk. How hot do you heat it up? Do you do a bunch of servings in a kettle, do a serving at a time in the microwave, or what?
Brandy says
Hi Carol! I heat it up in a glass pyrex measuring cup (with pour spout) in the microwave for 2 minutes. Just whatever I need for one bomb (1 1/2 c.). If you are making hot chocolate bombs for a crowd I'd do it over the stove then pour the milk over the bombs in the mugs!
nancy t says
Wow just made my first batch - not very pretty but I am excited! thanks for the instructions. The molds were on backorder and the marshmallows were too!! I had to wait a while.
I hope I can make them prettier after more practice.
Brandy says
Nancy, mine wasn't pretty the first time either! Holes everywhere! It definitely gets easier with practice! 🙂
Jane Goode says
Hi could you use different flavoured chocolate? Such as kinder chocolate or chocolate orange?
Brandy says
Hi Jane! I haven’t tried it with those that you mentioned, but if they can be melted and harden again they should work fine.