Baby it’s Cold Outside Hot Cocoa Bar

My dear friend Jessica from Pen and Paper Flower’s always styles the most beautifully chic parties! She makes them all look fantastic and effortless!  Her recent Baby it’s Cold Outside Hot Cocoa Bar is a perfect example! Jessica shares all of the details and links vendors for this amazing gathering below.

From Jessica:

 

You don’t need a lot of space to put a Hot Cocoa Bar together either.

A corner on your kitchen counter…

or a small side table is really all the room you need.

 

I kept this one SUPER simple…

and I chose to use brown accents to go with my new Holiday Color Scheme I used this year.

If you want to really dress yours up…

add ribbons, pom poms, fake snow, banners, tags, etc. –  you totally have that option.

If you want to scale it down even more…that works too.

It’s whatever works for you and your particular situation.

 

I chose to offer 5 different toppings…

You could opt to offer more or less depending on your preferences and budget.

 

I opted to use mugs I already had…

You could choose to do paper cups instead.

 

You get what I’m saying.

Create what works for you!!

Make it your own.

 

Aside from the Popcorn Bar I hosted a while back…

this was hands-down the most simple “dessert table” I’ve ever put together.

And quite possibly one of my favorites.

 

I hope you are inspired to put one together.

It doesn’t take a whole lot of effort – pinky promise!

 

>>>THE DETAILS FOR CREATING YOUR OWN<<<

 

 

HOT COCOA BAR ESSENTIALS:

 

Hot Cocoa Mix – suggestions below

Toppings – suggestions listed below

Mugs or Paper Cups

Spoons for stirring

Scoops or spoons for adding toppings

Napkins

Straws – optional

Hot Milk or Hot Water – if you have a Keurig, guests can make a cup of hot water on demand.

 

Tip: Keep the hot water or hot milk supply out of reach from children.

 

TOPPING IDEAS:

 

Chocolate Chips – Ghiradelli Semi-Sweet minis are my favorite

White Chocolate Chips

Caramel Candies – keep them wrapped or cut them up 

Peppermint Candies

White Chocolate Peppermint Candies –  Andes Peppermint Crunch Thins are yummy!

Marshmallows –  I love the Mini Vanilla Mallow Bits by Jet-Puffed

Chocolate Sprinkles

Whipped Topping

 

 

OPTIONS FOR HOT COCOA MIX – as suggested by Serious Eats:

Inexpensive to Mid-Priced – Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Premium Hot Cocoa

Fancy (made with milk) – Jacques Torres – Classic Hot Chocolate

 

or try this…

 

HOMEMADE HOT COCOA MIX RECIPE – sent to me by my sweet friend, Suzanne Johnson at SHE Paperie: 

Ingredients:

3 cups nonfat dry milk powder

2 cups powdered sugar

1 1/2 cups cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips

1/4 teaspoon salt

 

Directions:

Whisk together all ingredients in a large bowl.

Working in two batches, pulse the ingredients in a food processor until the white chocolate is finely ground.

Store in airtight container for up to 3 months.

 

To Make a Cup:

Scoop 1/3 cup of cocoa mix into a mug and stir in 1 cup of hot water or milk.

Garnish with your favorite toppings.

 

For additional Hot Cocoa Powder brand suggestions…

see the taste test performed by Huffington Post

 

 

SUPPLIES I USED TO CREATE THE HOT COCOA BAR SHOWN

• Printable Hot Cocoa Chalkboard Art Print – Pen N’ Paperflowers

• Printable Hot Chocolate Dessert Bar Topping Labels – Pen N’ Paperflowers

• Brown Striped Straws – TomKat Studio Party Shop

• Mini Wooden Spoons – TomKat Studio Party Shop

• Mini Wooden Scoops – TomKat Studio Shop – not listed yet – please inquire

• Mini Marshmallows – Jet Puffed Mini Mallows

• Chocolate Vermacelli Sprinkles – as garnish – 

• Large Storage Jars for toppings – Weck 1/2 Liter Tulip Jar #744

• Small Storage Jar for Chocolate Sprinkles – Weck 1/5 Jelly Jar #762

Tags : Baby it's Cold Outside, Hot Cocoa Party, Pen and Paper Flowers