Make a batch of hot chocolate sticks to keep on hand for a delicious and decadent treat! Fun to make and easy to customize!
You might also like our hot chocolate bombs, slow cooker hot chocolate, or snowman hot chocolate bombs!
Hot chocolate sticks are ridiculously easy to make and so much affordable than buying them in the store. You can make them in a variety of ways and customize them in countless ways. Stir a stick into a cup of hot milk for hot chocolate, or stir into a cup of hot chocolate for an even richer drink!
Why I Like This Recipe
- Easy to make. Melt and pour. They really are that easy to make!
- Affordable. Hot chocolate sticks range from $1-$3 each in the store. You can make them yourself using melted chocolate or chocolate chips for a fraction of the price.
- Easy gift idea. Wrap the sticks individually in cellophane and tie off with a piece of ribbon or string. Place a few inside a cute mug for a fun gift idea!
What Others Are Saying
made these for a family get together with quite a few kids. They tried them after getting home and they loved them. Haha I did too.---Paulette on Pinterest
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Tips and Tricks
Two ways to use. Add one to a cup of hot milk, or EVEN BETTER, add them to a mug of hot chocolate to really take it up a notch! Talk about a rich and creamy mug of hot chocolate that can be customized by adding different flavored hot chocolate sticks!
How to add peppermint. We added a few drops of peppermint flavoring oil to some of the melted chocolate for peppermint cocoa. A little bit goes a long way when using peppermint oil vs. extract. This is not to be confused with essential oil.
Ingredients
- Chocolate: We used gourmet melting chocolates since that's what I had on hand, but chocolate chips would work too.
- Powdered sugar: slightly thickens the chocolate so it's easier to add the sticks without them falling over.
- Flavoring oil (optional): We love peppermint hot chocolate so I added a few drops of peppermint oil. A little bit goes a long way when using peppermint oil vs. extract. This is not to be confused with essential oil.
- Toppings: Peppermint candy, semi-sweet chocolate chips, freeze dried marshmallows, etc. The toppings will also hold the popsicle sticks in place while the chocolate hardens.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Hot Chocolate Sticks
Step 1: Place the chocolates into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Continue microwaving in 10-second intervals (stirring after each interval) until smooth.
Step 2: Add flavoring oil (optional).
Step 3: Stir in powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
Step 4: Spoon mixture into a mini muffin pan (metal or silicone), ice cube tray, or miniature Dixie cups, filling each cup about ½ to ⅔ full.
Step 5: Add a popsicle stick and top with crushed candy canes, Oreo crumbs, chocolate chips, or sprinkles!
Step 6: Freeze until stiff, about 20 minutes. Gently pop out of the tray. Tap gently on the counter a few times to loosen up. A silicone mold would make it even easier!
To use, stir one stick into a cup of hot milk until melted. It may not seem like a lot of chocolate, but it is plenty for a nice, rich cup of hot chocolate! SO delicious.
Hot Chocolate Stick FAQs
We used gourmet melting chocolates since that's what I had on hand, but chocolate chips would work too. Any type of chocolate that melts down would work for hot chocolate sticks.
To use, stir one stick into a cup of hot milk until melted. It may not seem like a lot of chocolate, but it is plenty for a nice, rich cup of hot chocolate!
You can use a variety of molds for hot chocolate sticks. Spoon mixture into a mini muffin pan (metal or silicone), ice cube tray, or miniature Dixie cups, filling each cup about ½ to ⅔ full.
More Chocolate Recipes To Make
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Hot Chocolate Sticks
Ingredients
- 1 cup chocolate chocolate chips or melting chocolate
- 3 Tbsp. powdered sugar
- toppings mini marshmallows, crushed candy canes, sprinkles, etc.
Instructions
- Place the chocolates into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Continue microwaving in 10-second intervals (stirring after each interval) until smooth.
- Add flavoring oil (optional).
- Stir in powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
- Spoon mixture into a mini muffin pan (metal or silicone), ice cube tray, or miniature Dixie cups, filling each cup about ½ to ⅔ full.
- Add a popsicle stick and top with crushed candy canes, Oreo crumbs, chocolate chips, or sprinkles!
- Freeze until stiff, about 20 minutes. Gently pop out of the tray. Tap gently on the counter a few times to loosen up.
- Store hot chocolate sticks in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for a few months, depending on the toppings you added to the top.
Brandy says
These are so much easier to make than hot cocoa bombs. So fun and easy to customize!
Thuzzie from Mug Spot says
These hot chocolate sticks are such a fun and cozy winter idea — I love the peppermint variation especially! I’ve been putting together some holiday gifts and just added your recipe to my list. I recently designed a “Donut Worry, It’s Christmas!” mug that would pair perfectly with these as a cute little gift set. Thanks so much for sharing — your tutorials are always so easy to follow!
Brandy says
So glad to hear this!
CP says
Could I mix these into hot water rather than milk?
Brandy says
Hi Claire! They need to be mixed with milk to for the creamy consistency of hot cocoa.
Michelle says
What’s the beat way to store these for later use?
Brandy says
Hi! I just stored these in an airtight container. You could also place them in little baggies. Hope that helps!
Missy says
Hi! I just tried making these and when I went to add the powered sugar the melty chocolate stiffened up really fast! I followed the directions but opted out of adding any flavering oil.... Advice??
Brandy says
Hi Missy! That is really strange because unless you added something cold, it (the chocolate) should have stayed melted for a bit longer. I’m stumped!
Madonna says
I think I will buy some Dollar Store cheap cups and melt the choc in them and add the stick or a spoon. Cute idea for grandkids.
Christine says
Such a cute idea! Love it!
The Freshman Cook says
Cute, Cute, Cute! Perfect little treats, that everyone would love! Thank you for sharing at Celebrate it!
Nermin says
Does the mini muffin baking pan need to be oiled or prepped in anyway?
Thanks
Brandy says
Hi Nermin! We didn't prepare them at all, and since I think it's a teflon pan, they came right out. If yours isn't a nonstick pan I'm sure a bit of nonstick spray would help. A mini silicone muffin pan would be idea!
Ana Lucia Vindas says
Do I still use sugar for semi sweet melting chocolate and white chocolate?
Brandy says
Yes
Leslie says
Oh, these are so festive and pretty! Pinned so I can try them this holiday season. I make Mexican hot chocolate that is spicy-sweet. These sticks would be such a treat paired with my cocoa. You can check out my cocoa recipe here. http://onceuponatimehappilyeverafter.com/tasty-tuesday-mexican-hot-chocolate/
Shanice Bannis says
This looks soo yummy! Cant wait to try it out!
Natalie says
What a great idea! They are so cute - and your images are wonderful 🙂
Miz Helen says
Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday. Come to next weeks Thanksgiving party on Tuesday at 8:00 am, CST, see you then!
Miz Helen