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    Home » Recipe Index » Drinks

    The Best Hot Chocolate Toppings

    January 2, 2019 Updated November 4, 2022 By Rebecca Desserts, Drinks, Entertaining, Winter Recipes

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    hot chocolate topped with crushed peppermint candy for the best hot chocolate toppings
    hot chocolate in mugs for the best hot chocolate toppings with text overlay

    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.

    the best hot chocolate toppings on hot chocolate on a table

    [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?
    • What are some good toppings for hot chocolate?
    • How do I add hot cocoa toppings to hot chocolate?
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    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.

    two mugs, one with hot cocoa, the other with milk next to a spoon

    Add a dollop of fresh whipped cream as one of your hot chocolate toppings.

    one mug with hot cocoa & whipped cream, the other with milk

    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
    one mug with hot cocoa whipped cream and peanut butter powder, the other with milk

    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

    What are good hot chocolate toppings?

    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.

    Is hot cocoa better with milk or water?

    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.

    What do you put on a hot cocoa bar?

    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.

    a mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream for the best hot chocolate toppings

    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!

    mug with hot chocolate, cream, crushed peppermint
    Print Pin
    5 from 4 votes

    The Best Hot Chocolate Toppings

    Cold weather calls for warming up with hot cocoa. Liven up your hot cocoa with the best hot chocolate toppings: peppermint and peanut butter powder.
    Course Dessert, Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 2 minutes
    Total Time 7 minutes
    Servings 1 person
    Author Rebecca

    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

    the best hot cocoa toppings

    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.

    Want to get more single serving recipes delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

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    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites says

      January 02, 2019 at 9:13 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        January 03, 2019 at 8:20 am

        oh awesome! there are so many great toppings out there

        Reply
    2. Jacqueline Meldrum says

      January 02, 2019 at 9:36 am

      5 stars
      That sounds rather luxurious. If you are needing any testers .......... Happy to help 🙂

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        January 03, 2019 at 8:20 am

        ohhhh fabulous!

        Reply
    3. Edyta at Eating European says

      January 02, 2019 at 11:37 am

      5 stars
      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 🙂

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        January 03, 2019 at 8:19 am

        awesome! glad you like them

        Reply
    4. Gabi says

      January 02, 2019 at 11:46 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        January 03, 2019 at 8:19 am

        dark cocoa powder is one of my faves!

        Reply

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    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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