Cold weather calls for warming up with hot cocoa. Liven up your hot cocoa with the best hot chocolate toppings like peppermint and peanut butter powder. These add-ins are easy and quick to add to your hot chocolate.
[This recipe was originally posted in January 2019. It has been updated with new cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
Table of contents
How will these hot chocolate bar ideas make your life better?
Set up an easy hot cocoa bar with lots of different add-ins. Definitely start with great hot chocolate, and then add individual toppings that guests can add to their cocoa. And that's it, can a holiday party be any easier?
You can also serve this grapefruit avocado salad, or any other winter recipe or bring it if you're not hosting. Serve these chocolate dipped oreos or bring them as a host gift for the holidays.
What are some good toppings for hot chocolate?
Your favorite hot chocolate mix + milk +
- Whipped cream
- Crushed peppermint candy
- Powdered peanut butter
- Dark cocoa powder
- Mini marshmallows
- Chocolate candies or chocolate chips
- Candy cane
How do I add hot cocoa toppings to hot chocolate?
Here's how to make delicious hot cocoa with lots of different toppings Make a cup of hot chocolate with your favorite mix (according to mix directions). Try this easy homemade cocoa mix- add 1-1.5 T of mix to 1 c milk.
Add a dollop of fresh whipped cream as one of your hot chocolate toppings.
Top with any additional toppings like:
- 1 tablespoon crushed peppermint candy
- 1 teaspoon powdered peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon dark cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon mini marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon chocolate candies
- 1 candy cane
Great topping combos:
- Peppermint candy + mini marshmallows + dark cocoa powder
- Peanut butter powder + dark cocoa powder + mini marshmallows.
Serve your cocoa with hot chocolate toppings immediately.
Substitutions/Tips
- Make your own hot cocoa by following this 3 ingredient recipe and then add your favorite toppings.
- Add more sugar if desired.
- Add crushed peppermint candy + mini marshmallows + dark cocoa powder OR peanut butter powder + dark cocoa powder + mini marshmallows.
FAQ
Add crushed peppermint candy + mini marshmallows + dark cocoa powder OR peanut butter powder + dark cocoa powder + mini marshmallows. Add whipped cream, mini marshmallows, crushed candy cane, or other cocoa toppings.
Milk, definitely. If you have a choice definitely choose milk. Hot cocoa made with milk will be creamier, will taste chocolatier and will be tastier than hot cocoa made with water.
If you're hosting a party in the winter, or having guests over, a hot cocoa bar is a really fun & easy way to treat your guests.
Just pour hot chocolate toppings into bowls (read ingredients in recipe card below), keep milk and water warm on the stove or in a vessel to keep it warm, and add toppings to small bowls.
What can I make with leftover ingredients?
- Peppermint: add to chocolate covered oreos
- Peanut Butter Powder: add to a smoothie like this triple berry smoothie with granola
- Whipped Cream: make cream cheese whipped cream on this pumpkin bundt cake
Did you make cocoa with any of these hot chocolate toppings? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
The Best Hot Chocolate Toppings
Equipment
- Small Saucepan
- whisk
Ingredients
- favorite hot chocolate mix
- 8 ounces milk or water
- 1 tablespoon whipped cream
- 1 tablespoon crushed peppermint candy optional
- 1 teaspoon powdered peanut butter optional
- 1 teaspoon dark cocoa powder optional
- 1 tablespoon mini marshmallows optional
- 1 teaspoon chocolate candies optional
- 1 candy cane optional
Instructions
- Make a cup of hot chocolate with your favorite mix (according to mix directions). Add a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Top with any of the above toppings. Enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Make your own cocoa by following this 3 ingredient recipe.
- Add more sugar if desired.
- Add crushed peppermint candy + mini marshmallows + dark cocoa powder. OR Peanut butter powder + dark cocoa powder + mini marshmallows.
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Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites says
I must have marshmallows in my hot chocolate, but my son loves mint so the candy cane idea is right up his alley! Such fun ideas!
Rebecca says
oh awesome! there are so many great toppings out there
Jacqueline Meldrum says
That sounds rather luxurious. If you are needing any testers .......... Happy to help 🙂
Rebecca says
ohhhh fabulous!
Edyta at Eating European says
Great ideas with all the hot chocolate toppings. I don't know which one I will be trying first but I want to try them all 🙂
Rebecca says
awesome! glad you like them
Gabi says
Although I love to eat nutrient-dense foods like you, I'm also with you regarding seldom indulgences. Great topping inspirations! My favorite is adding dark chocolate cocoa powder and some peanut butter to the regular mix.
Rebecca says
dark cocoa powder is one of my faves!