Hot cocoa chocolate bombs with marshmallows are fun to make hot cocoa. Whether you’re craving hot chocolate drink bombs or boozy hot chocolate bombs like Baileys hot chocolate bombs or other hot chocolate bombs with alcohol, this recipe is the cocoabombs, with or without alcohol.
My love for chocolate has no bounds and hot chocolate drink bombs are a fun way of getting my fix. This is the best hot chocolate bombs recipe I’ve found yet!
Table of Contents
- Hot Chocolate Bombs with Marshmallows
- How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs with Alcohol
- Basic Hot Chocolate Bombs Ingredients
- How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs
- Full Hot Chocolate Bomb Recipe
Hot chocolate bombs with marshmallows (or without) transforms hot milk into a magical cool weather drink that’s enjoyed by many. Without a doubt, this hot chocolate bomb recipe is the ultimate chocolate bomb!
With just two main ingredients and so many options, including boozy hot chocolate bombs, these delightful cocoa bombs can be made with ease at home and cost a lot less than buying them from a store or bakery. This hot cocoa chocolate bombs recipe really delivers.
Let me show you just how fast and playful these hot chocolate bombs are to make.
Hot Chocolate Bombs with Marshmallows
Picture yourself by the fireplace of a visually stunning snowy mountain resort sipping on a mug of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows.
If that visualization does little for you, where you are matters not as this hot cocoa drink boosts your mood and soothes the soul.
When I saw what these hot chocolate bombs can do to warm milk, I just had to get my hands on this recipe. I had to learn how to make hot cocoa chocolate bombs.
These simple little hot chocolate bombs can be done in under 15 minutes and the results are so rewarding. No matter what you fill them up with.
My goodness you can fill these hot chocolate bombs for kids or adults too. Everything from including a Butterfinger chocolate bar to making boozy hot chocolate bombs.
Just you wait and see. So many options. So little time.
What is a Cocoa Bomb?
In a nutshell (or should I say chocolate shell?), hot chocolate bombs with alcohol or without are simply chocolate spheres or shells filled with hot cocoa mix and marshmallows.
This cocoabombs recipe is also known as a hot chocolate cocoa bombs copycat recipe, and you can add whatever you want to the chocolate shell. The sky’s the limit!
However, hot cocoa mix with extra marshmallows is a classic and my all-time favorite.
Add your hot cocoa chocolate bombs one-at-a-time to hot milk, or pour the hot milk over top of your hot chocolate drink bombs. Both methods work beautifully.
Once the hot milk melts the chocolate, the bomb explodes in the best possible way. It oozes nothing but hot cocoa mix and marshmallowy goodness transforming your milk into delicious chocolate cocoa bombs! And whatever else you have inside them.
Give it a few more stirs and your hot chocolate bomb with marshmallows becomes a warm and cozy cup of hot chocolate. Mmmmm.
Best Chocolate for Cocoa Bombs
Most chocolates will work to make the chocolate shell but some will definitely work and taste much better than others.
Use dark, milk or semi-sweet chocolate and you won’t be disappointed.
Chocolate chips are generally an inexpensive option, although you should choose a higher quality brand. Good brands of baking chocolate and chocolate bars will also work too.
Cheaper brands tend to have a waxy taste and may not melt properly.
Again, whatever chocolate you choose should be fine for hot cocoa chocolate bombs as long as it’s good quality. You don’t need to spend a lot, just go with middle of the road, reasonably priced baking chocolate or chocolate chips.
Generally, any chocolate containing 65% cocoa that includes cocoa butter (to assist in melting), will give you the best results and is the best chocolate for hot chocolate cocoa bombs.
For a treat, try a baking chocolate like Callebaut, Ghirardelli or even a Hershey bar or two.
For the record, Ghirardelli or Couverture chocolate contain a high percentage of cocoa butter, which makes them both melt and set beautifully.
Ultimately, these two brands are the best chocolate for hot cocoa bombs and I won’t spend extra money on either.
I figure why spend the extra money if you don’t have to?
No matter which chocolate you choose to use, always have a look at the ingredients to make sure you use the best chocolate for hot cocoabombs.
How to Know if Chocolate is High Quality?
Besides price, you have to start by looking at the percentage of cocoa, which is always so confusing.
However, simply put, the percentage on the packaging reflects the amount of pure cocoa beans (by weight) included inside the chocolate you’re buying, not the quality of the chocolate itself.
The percentage or amount of pure cocoa beans can include cocoa butter, which is frequently added to make chocolate creamier, and on occasion cocoa solids that are from the remaining part of the cocoa bean.
The percentage will tell you how sweet the chocolate generally is too. The higher the percentage the chocolate flavor will be more intense and therefore less sweet.
The problem arises because different kinds of cocoa beans possess different qualities so levels of sweet and intensity of chocolate flavor differ from bean to bean.
Also, different chocolate manufacturers add different ingredients, including varying amounts of cocoa butter, meaning you can only use the percentage as a general rule.
Overall you’ll also know that if the chocolate bar says 65% cocoa the remaining 35% is basically sugar.
However, milk chocolate, as you might expect, uses milk, cream or milk products with cocoa beans and sugar. In the United States, a milk chocolate bar must contain a minimum of 10% cocoa and in Europe it’s 20%.
Also, the less cocoa included the cheaper the chocolate is to produce.
Some people love using candy melts or wafers when making their chocolate cocoa bombs but I am not personally a fan because of their somewhat waxy taste. Even worse? Sometimes they don’t contain much cocoa or real chocolate, if any.
The bottom line is to try and buy quality chocolate that is at least 65% cocoa and includes cocoa butter so chocolate melts and sets easier.
How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs Without Mold
If you don’t have a silicone chocolate cocoa bombs mold, it’s still possible to make hot chocolate drink bombs. It’s not as easy, and your hot cocoa bombs won’t be as round, but you can fit a lot of hot cocoa and marshmallows inside each egg-shaped bomb!
That’s right, substitute an egg carton totally wrapped in plastic wrap if you want to make hot chocolate drink bombs without the round mold.
Here’s what you do:
Wrap individual eggs in plastic wrap, dip them in melted chocolate and just let them set like you would normally. If you’re making cocoabombs with small children, you might want to hard boil your eggs first just in case one breaks. Accidents happen!
Simply dip wrapped eggs in melted chocolate and then put on top of parchment paper until set and then dip them again. You will need to thicken up the shell, melt a seam around the middle of the egg to separate the chocolate egg shell into two pieces.
I usually run a butter knife under hot water until it’s almost too hot to handle, or use oven mitts to hold the knife, to cut the egg-shaped hot cocoa or hot chocolate mold in half.
Then all that’s left is to stuff with hot chocolate, marshmallows and alcohol, if wanted, and seal the hot cocoa egg bomb back up!
How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs with Alcohol
If you want to make boozy chocolate bombs you can accomplish this task by adding anything from cognac, Kahlua, Grand Marnier (my favorite) to whipping up sweet Baileys hot chocolate bombs. Just imagine what goes well with hot chocolate and let your imagination go wild.
The first thing you need to know about making boozy hot cocoa bombs or hot chocolate bombs with alcohol is to try your hardest to use a sphere or round silicone mold that has a diameter of at least 2 ½ inches, if not 3 inches.
The two-inch silicone molds will work, but you may need to use two of them in each cup of milk you heat up. Heck, you may want to use two of the 2 ½ inch molds to for extra flavor too.
Heck, we found three-inch molds that work even better! Here is another example of a three-inch sphere mold. The only difference is you get to fit more inside each bomb and enjoy boozy hot chocolate bombs in larger mugs!
As always, the choice is up to you. There is so much fun to be had with boozy chocolate bombs no matter what size bomb mold you use!
Remember, amounts given are for one cup of milk only so if you have a large mug of milk you may need more than one hot cocoa bomb to make your drink taste as it should!
How to Make Baileys Hot Chocolate Bombs
Hot chocolate bombs with alcohol can be a wonderful thing. Especially if they’re Baileys hot chocolate bombs. One of my personal favorites.
On more than one occasion I have enjoyed a Baileys hot chocolate bomb and let me tell you, if you love Baileys this is a bucket-list drink you have to try.
And I’m not even kidding. These hot cocoa bombs are that tasty, with and without alcohol of any kind.
Pour On Hot Chocolate or Hot Cocoa Mix
The main thing you have to remember when making hot chocolate bombs with alcohol is this: leave out the marshmallows until it’s time to make your hot chocolate!
Pour COLD liquor or liqueur over your hot cocoa or hot chocolate mix and store your boozy chocolate bomb inside your freezer until needed. If you’re making multiple boozy hot chocolate bombs for later, consider labeling them!
Make a Paste
I also have to share this method. An individual who tried this recipe made a paste out of the cocoa powder or hot chocolate mix and Baileys (or whichever alcohol they were using) and said it worked great.
Of course I just had to try making a paste myself. Let me tell you what a brilliant idea it is! Creating a paste works beautifully to make delicious boozy hot chocolate bombs.
To give you an idea, we use about ⅔ cup of cocoa, sometimes a little more depending on the alcohol we’re using, to ½ cup of alcohol usually.
Then we fill each half of the cocoa bombs with the paste which is thick enough, similar to a ganache, that you have time to close and totally seal each bomb. Work as quickly as possible because the paste will harden somewhat.
Then, we serve our boozy hot cocoa bombs in hot chocolate milk.
Add marshmallows or whipped cream and enjoy your wonderful hot chocolate bombs with alcohol.
After creating the paste you’re easily able to pack your boozy bombs. It’s nice to be able to add paste to both halves of the hot chocolate bombs before sealing them together and not have to worry about anything falling out or spilling.
Our boozy hot chocolate bombs always float, melt slowly and taste amazing.
We always make more than four boozy hot cocoa bombs at a time. However, if you’re only making four hot chocolate drink bombs then half the recipe and use ⅓ cup cocoa and ¼ cup of alcohol to make your boozy hot chocolate bombs!
For a Stronger Hot Cocoa Bomb with Alcohol
Another option for boozy chocolate bombs is to take an egg carton and cover it with plastic wrap. This is where you will put your totally sealed hot cocoa bombs with alcohol and place inside your freezer until needed.
Heat up a butter knife under hot water. Once hot, remove hot cocoa bombs from the freezer and touch the top of the chocolate cocoa bomb with your knife to make a small hole.
Using a small funnel, place the funnel end inside the hole add more cold liqueur or liquor to your hot cocoa bomb until almost full. Check out our video below to see it done.
For the record, we purchased the funnels at our local dollar store. I couldn’t believe it either.
Melt chocolate, a little at a time as per instructions, and seal up your Baileys hot cocoa bomb again as per instructions. Make sense?
As my husband pointed out, you could always just use two chocolate bombs instead of one but I figure now where is the fun in that?
You also end up with even more chocolate in your drink if you use two hot cocoa bombs. Just in case that matters.
My goodness, why stop there. Use chocolate milk instead for a double (triple?) chocolate kind of experience!
Yet Another Option for Making Baileys Hot Cocoa Bombs
My friend totally seals empty hot chocolate bombs and once cool, makes a hole in the top. Using a funnel, she then fills her empty hot cocoa bombs with only COLD Baileys Irish Cream.
Frankly, any COLD alcohol would have worked to make these boozy hot cocoa bombs.
Next, she seals the hole with more melted chocolate before drizzling icing on top to decorate. She then places her bombs inside the freezer, still inside the egg carton until needed, and serves with already-made chocolate milk.
I thought this method was brilliant so we tried it and let me tell you, it was super easy. The boozy hot cocoa bombs with Baileys were a huge hit. I mean how could they not be?
Hot Chocolate Bomb Liquor or Liqueur Recipe Flavors to Consider
Besides using Baileys Irish Cream, there are so many other options to choose from that can all be found at your local liquor store! Why should kids be the only ones that enjoy these hot chocolate bombs!?
Here are some suggestions just in case you’re looking for some ideas to try with your hot chocolate bombs with alcohol. These liqueurs are available all over the world.
Hopefully you can find one or two to try in your area. These boozy hot cocoa bombs are definitely worth the effort.
-
- Baileys Irish Cream—provides a chocolate vanilla kind of flavor
- Cognac—adds a candied fruit and citrus flavor
- Grand Marnier—will add an orange flavor
- Tia Maria—adds a coffee vanilla flavor
- Kahlua—will add a sweet coffee flavor
- Maraschino—will add a cherry flavor
- Dooley’s—a toffee flavor but now they have licorice, egg cream, and white chocolate versions too
- Crème de menthe—will add mint flavor
- Coconut Rum—will add a wonderful coconut favor
- Malibu—will also add an amazing coconut flavor to your hot cocoa bomb with alcohol
- Sheridan’s—adds a coffee flavor to your hot chocolate bomb
- Frangelico—adds a hazelnut flavor
- Amarula—includes a slight caramel flavor with a little vanilla and various spices
- RumChata—adds cinnamon and vanilla flavors
Mocktail Hot Chocolate Bombs
For a mocktail version of hot chocolate bombs with alcohol, add some caramel syrup, a little peanut butter or Nutella over top of cocoa mix and marshmallows.
No complaints here at all. I just had to share with you options for creating the best boozy chocolate bombs, with or without alcohol or liqueur, possible!
Some methods will definitely work better for you than others for you. Be patient. These boozy hot cocoa bombs are worth learning how to do. Really.
Again, with or without alcohol.
Basic Hot Chocolate Bombs Ingredients
If you want to know how to make hot chocolate bombs then you’ll be thrilled to know all that’s required are two ingredients to make quality hot chocolate drink bombs.
- Chocolate bark, chips, baking chocolate, chocolate bars or at least “middle of the road” priced chocolate
- Hot cocoa powder or hot chocolate mix
Chocolate bark—Can be found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. Cheaper chocolate brands won’t taste or harden the same way that chocolate bark and more expensive chocolates do. For superb hot chocolate bombs, grab good quality chocolate if you can.
Hot cocoa mix—Suggest purchasing hot cocoa mix with marshmallows so you don’t have to buy them separately. Feel free to add extra marshmallows if you so desire!
Check out our Butterfinger Hot Cocoa Bomb below! Almost too good for words!
Hot Chocolate Bomb Recipe Flavors
The different varieties of hot chocolate drink bombs are nearly endless. Hopefully, this list will spark your creativity in making hot chocolate drink bombs unique to your tastes and desires.
Here is our favorite list of all of the hot chocolate bomb flavors we have tried. If you come up with any others please let me know. I might just try your idea myself!
- sparkles and sprinkles
- different hot chocolate drink flavors such as strawberry, Coffee Crisp, Rolo, Turtle, Salted Caramel, Peppermint and so many more
- dark chocolate
- use white chocolate and a few drops of food coloring and make your bombs whatever color you want
- crushed chocolate bars, including Butterfinger (pictured above), Mars, Caramilk, Aero, any flavor, Snickers, Twix, Rolo or After Eight
- cream filled cookies like crushed Oreos, peanut butter, chocolate, inside or on top
- nuts, crushed inside or on top
- chocolate, butterscotch, caramel, peanut butter chips
- caramels
- add a teaspoon of instant coffee or pumpkin pie spice inside and on top
- sprinkle with flaked sea salt and add some caramel or chocolate
- s’mores by adding some crushed graham cracker crumbs inside and on top
- add a teaspoon of Nutella, almond butter, cashew butter, or smooth peanut butter inside
- crushed peppermints inside and on top
- stir hot chocolate with a candy cane
- caramel, strawberry or chocolate sauce
- flavored liqueurs like Tia Maria, Baileys, Grand Marnier, Kahlua or traditional spirits like Cognac
- drops of extracts or baking flavors like almond, vanilla, orange, peppermint, banana
- squeeze a little caramel or chocolate sauce inside the bomb
- add COLD liquor or liqueur to your chocolate bomb but then add marshmallows when serving, not inside bomb itself as marshmallows won’t hold their shape with many liquids surrounding them
Tik Tok showed several videos using white chocolate bombs decorated like Easter eggs, snowmen, mummies or ghosts. It was fascinating to watch kids make faces into their hot chocolate as they stirred.
The fun you can have with all of this hot chocolate making is mind blowing. With a little imagination, turn hot chocolate on its head with these hot cocoa bomb creations!
Chocolate Bomb Tools
These are the tools to make the magic happen:
- Round or Sphere silicone mold
- Microwave safe bowl
- Spoon
Hot Cocoa Bomb Molds
A sphere silicone mold is key to making these hot chocolate drink bombs and you can find them at baking stores or online.
For this demonstration, I used a hot cocoa bomb mold exactly like this large 6 Cavity Sphere Silicone Mold and it worked splendidly!
I just LOVE this hot chocolate bombs mold and so will you. Just you wait and see.
Most hot chocolate bombs can easily be made in a sphere mold with a two-inch diameter. I prefer the hot cocoa bomb mold above that is 2 ½ inches in diameter. Better yet, the 3 inch sphere.
To me, the extra half inch matters. In this case bigger is a bit better if at all possible.
You can fit just a little bit more inside which makes these hot cocoa bombs even better in my mind!
How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs
Reading through the steps on making these delightful hot chocolate drink bombs may feel like there’s no way they can be done within 15 minutes, but I assure you, it’s totally possible!
You’ll be amazed at how quickly you move through these stages. Before getting started, read through them a couple times so you have everything within reach and to ensure the chocolate won’t harden on you prematurely.
Get ready, you’re about to learn how to make hot chocolate bombs!
Step 1: Melt your Chocolate
- Place hot chocolate in a medium sized microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave for 30 seconds.
- Remove and stir the chocolate for at least one minute.
- The residual heat from the warm chocolate will melt most of the other chocolate in the bowl. If needed, microwave again in 15 second intervals, stirring between each one.
Chocolate can burn quickly so don’t overheat it. No one wants to waste perfectly good chocolate!
Step 2: Fill the Silicone Molds
- Pour approximately a teaspoon of melted chocolate into the mold.
- Use the back of the spoon or finger, if chocolate is cool enough, to cover the entire half circle with chocolate, ensuring the chocolate goes all the way up the mold.
- Place in the fridge or freezer to harden.
The bark hardens fairly quickly, so it should be ready for the second coat in less than five minutes.
Step 3: Add More Chocolate
- Remove from the fridge or freezer once the first layer is hardened. Make sure there are no melted spots and that the entire half circle is hard.
- Take another teaspoon of chocolate and cover the first coat of chocolate with a second layer.
- Place back in the fridge or freezer.
Step 4: Fill the Molds
- Pull the mold out again and ensure it’s fully hardened.
- Place a teaspoon or two of hot cocoa mix on each side of the mold.
- Or place hot cocoa mix on one side and extra marshmallows on the other.
Step 5: Seal the Bombs
- Ensure you have melted chocolate to seal the bombs. Here are your options.
- Take one half of the bomb and quickly place it on top of the other half. If needed you can run your hot water tap on top of a plate for a few minutes or until extremely hot. Next, dry with a paper towel and use a hot plate to press the top half onto until very warm, usually a few seconds, and then place it on top of the other half.
- Fill a spoon of melted chocolate and run it around the seam of the bomb and press both halves together to seal.
Next,
- Use your finger, back of a spoon or paint brush to smooth it out and fill in any cracks or uneven edges.
- Add sprinkles or crushed candy bars to the wet chocolate and allow the seal to harden.
When sealing the edges, working as quickly as possible is the name of the game. Warm fingers will begin to melt the chocolate, so the faster you work, the less likely melting will occur.
Step 6: How to drink hot chocolate bombs
Now for the fun part—time to put that hot chocolate bomb to the test!
- Warm a glass of milk in the microwave or on the stove top. You want it hot, but not boiling.
- Place the hot chocolate bomb in the glass and stir. Hot milk will make your bomb open up and release the hot cocoa mix.
- Stir to combine the loose hot cocoa and marshmallows. Add another bomb if necessary or some extra hot cocoa mix if necessary. t may take you to try the recipe to get your ratios worked out properly so that these hot cocoa bombs are perfect for you.
- Allow to cool slightly and enjoy!
You can also place the bomb in a glass and pour the hot milk over the top of it. Either way, the results will be the same and most pleasurable.
How to store hot cocoa bombs?
I have leftover hot chocolate bombs! What do I do?
Leftover hot chocolate bombs with marshmallows can be stored in the fridge by placing them in a resealable bag or airtight container, ideally individually wrapped in parchment paper to protect each of them.
An empty egg carton also works great as long as it’s wrapped in a plastic wrap or plastic bag and is air tight. Otherwise, condensation can appear and those chocolate bombs become stale quickly.
If storing more than one in an airtight container, consider dusting bombs with icing or powdered sugar to prevent bombs from sticking.
These delectable delights make great gifts and should last at least two weeks at room temperature out of direct sunlight, below 70 degrees. Would suggest storing them inside your fridge or freezer until ready to give as they run the risk of melting.
Hot chocolate bombs aren’t difficult to make. Devoting a little time, love and care will be so rewarding in the end!
Can you freeze hot chocolate bombs?
You sure can! They will last about two months and to help keep their shape, wrap each one in loosely with parchment paper and place inside an airtight container before freezing.
Your other alternative is to wrap an egg carton (half) with plastic wrap and store your bombs inside each hole, instead of an egg. Covered in plastic wrap, in an airtight container or a large resealable bag this method works great to freeze them too!
Both methods work beautifully to freeze your hot cocoa bombs.
Your love of chocolate doesn’t stop here. Keep the chocolate theme going with these other fun and easy recipes!
Easy Layered Candy Bark
Stuffed Chocolate Cookie Cups
Chocolate Peanut Butter CheesecakeNot feeling the chocolate? For a savory treat, try this Cheesy Tuna Bomb.
Full Hot Chocolate Bomb Recipe
- ½ cup chocolate bark
- 4 teaspoons hot cocoa mix, minimum, try and get 2 teaspoons inside each, if possible, up to a tablespoon per bomb
- extra marshmallows
- 1 cup hot milk per bomb
- Place hot chocolate in a medium sized microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Remove and stir the chocolate for at least one minute.
- The residual heat from the warm chocolate will melt most of the other chocolate in the bowl.
- If needed, return to microwave for 15 second intervals, stirring between each one.
- Pour about a teaspoon of melted chocolate into the mold.
- Use the back of the spoon, paint brush or latex free gloves to cover the entire half circle with chocolate, making sure to go all the way up the mold with chocolate.
- Place in the fridge or freezer to harden. Add another layer of chocolate if needed.
The bark hardens fairly quickly, so it should be ready for the second coat in less than five minutes
- Pull the mold out again and make sure it’s fully hardened.
- Place a teaspoon or two of hot cocoa mix in each side of the mold. Or place hot cocoa mix on one side and extra marshmallows in the other. Get up to a tablespoon of hot chocolate mix into each mold if at all possible.
- Make sure you have melted chocolate to seal the bombs. Take half of the bomb and quickly place it on top of the other half.
- Take a spoon full of melted chocolate and run it around the seam of the bomb. Use your finger to smooth it out and fill in any cracks from uneven edges.
Decorating the outsides of chocolate bombs could not be easier. Consider melting chocolate in 15 to 20 second intervals inside the microwave, stirring in between until chocolate is melted.
- Pour melted chocolate into a piping bag or resealable bag. Cut off the corner and drizzle over each hot chocolate bomb, followed by sprinkles, crushed candy, nuts and so much more.
- Add sprinkles or crushed candy bars to the wet chocolate and allow the seal to harden.
Now the fun part. Time to try your hot chocolate bomb!
- Warm a glass of milk, about a cup, in the microwave or on the stove top. Ensure it’s hot, but not boiling.
- Place the hot chocolate bomb or two in the glass and stir. The hot milk will make your bomb open up and release the hot cocoa mix.
- Stir to combine the loose hot cocoa and marshmallows.
- Allow to cool slightly and enjoy!
Tips for Hot Cocoa Bombs Recipe
- Be patient; after making the first couple, the rest are easy.
- Read the entire recipe to ensure you have everything you need.
- Buy chocolate that’s at least 65% cocoa and make sure there’s cocoa butter listed in the ingredients.
- Use silicone molds (not acrylic) especially if using candy melts or another candy coating. In my opinion, using candy melts or the cheaper chocolate chips tend to taste wax-ish in hot chocolate.
- Non-latex or chocolate gloves are required to handle and assemble chocolate bombs.
- Chocolate shells shouldn’t be too thick or they will be difficult to melt in hot water or milk; if too thin, they’re easily breakable.
- Use paint brush, back of small spoon or glove covered finger to lightly press and rub melted chocolate against seam to smooth seal as much as possible.
- For better control, suggest using a ¼ to ½ inch paint brush to make your chocolate bomb molds.
- When sealing your bombs edges, don’t use force.
- Allow chocolate to set long enough inside fridge or freezer, once shiny and easily releases from the mold.
- Ensure there’s enough chocolate on the edges of the mold so they don’t break when removing them. If needed, add more chocolate and let mold set again.
- Prepare chocolate bombs in a cool area and keep your hands as cool as possible. Run them under cool water to avoid melting chocolate molds while stuffing.
- Chocolate burns very easily so be very careful. When heating, do so slowly and check package melting directions.
- Keep the size of your bombs in mind as they have to fit inside a mug. ?
- Don’t hesitate to use chocolate milk instead of regular milk if worried about whether there’s enough hot chocolate mix in your chocolate bomb. Remember the outside of the chocolate bomb melts as well which also increases chocolate flavor.
- Using water instead of milk will also give great results.
- When decorating the outside of your chocolate bombs, don’t drizzle melted chocolate or caramel that’s too hot or they will melt your bomb
- Make sure mold is clean so nothing sticks to your chocolate bombs.
Best Hot Chocolate Bombs Recipe Video
Best Hot Chocolate Bombs Recipe (with or without Alcohol)
Hot chocolate bombs with marshmallows are fun to make hot cocoa. With or without alcohol, like Bailey's, this recipe is the chocolate bomb.Equipment
- silicone sphere mold, 2 inches
Ingredients
- ½ cup chocolate
- 4 teaspoons hot cocoa mix minimum, depending on the size of your bombs
- marshmallows, white or color version
- whipped cream
Instructions
- Place chocolate in a medium sized microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds. Remove and stir the chocolate for at least 1 minute. The residual heat from the warm chocolate will melt most of the other chocolate in the bowl. If needed, put back in microwave for 15 second intervals, stirring between each one.
- Pour about a teaspoon of melted chocolate into the mold. Assuming your mold is 2 inches. You'll need more chocolate if using 2 ½ inch molds and even more chocolate for 3 inch molds. Use the back of the spoon to cover the entire half circle with chocolate, making sure to go all the way up the mold with chocolate. Place in fridge or freezer to harden. The chocolate hardens fairly quickly, so it should be ready for the second coat in less than 5 minutes.
- Repeat the process with a second coat of chocolate.
- Pull the mold out of freezer again and make sure it is fully hardened. Place a teaspoon or so of hot cocoa mix in each side of the mold. Or place hot cocoa mix in one side and extra marshmallows in the other. Honestly, try to get at least 1 ½ to 2 teaspoons of mix inside each bomb or you may have to use two bombs per drink! Most mugs hold more than 1 cup of hot milk.
- Make sure you have melted chocolate to seal the bombs. Take one half of the bomb and quickly place it on top of the other half. If you need to you can warm a plate under hot water for a few minutes until almost too hot to handle. Then press chocolate half onto that dry, hot plate for a few seconds to harden and then press to seal on the other half.
- With a spoon full of melted chocolate, run it around the seam of the bomb. Use your finger to smooth it out and fill in any cracks from uneven edges. Add sprinkles or crushed candy bars to the wet chocolate and allow the seal to harden.
- Now for the fun part - time to use your hot chocolate bomb! Warm a glass of milk in the microwave or on the stove top. You want it hot, but not boiling.
- Place hot chocolate bomb in the glass and stir. The hot milk will make your bomb open up and release the hot cocoa mix. Stir to combine the loose hot cocoa and marshmallows. Allow to cool slightly and enjoy!
Notes
Remember amounts given are for one cup of milk only so if you have a large mug of milk you may need more than one hot cocoa bomb to make your drink taste as it should!How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs with Alcohol
Anything from adding caramel syrup, a little peanut butter or Nutella for children over top of cocoa mix and marshmallows to cognac, Kahlua, Grand Marnier (my favorite) to making baileys hot chocolate bombs. The first thing you need to know about making alcohol hot chocolate bombs is to try your hardest to use a sphere or round silicone mold that has a diameter of at least 2 ½ inches, if not 3. The 2 inch molds will work but you may need to use 2 of them in each cup of milk you heat up. Heck, you may want to use 2 of the 2 ½ inch molds to for extra flavor too. Heck, we found 3 inch molds that work even better! Here is another example. The only difference is you get to fit more inside each bomb and enjoy your hot cocoa in a larger mug!Baileys Hot Chocolate Bombs
Hot chocolate bombs with alcohol can be a wonderful thing too. Especially if they're Bailey's hot chocolate bombs. One of my personal favorites. On more than one occasion I have enjoyed a baileys hot chocolate bomb and let me tell you that for a Bailey's lover this is a bucket list kind of drink to try. And I'm not even kidding. These hot cocoa bombs are that tasty, with and without alcohol of any kind.Pour On Hot Chocolate or Hot Cocoa Mix
They only thing you have to remember is when using alcohol you must leave out the marshmallows until it's time to make your hot chocolate! Simply pour COLD liquor or liqueur over your hot cocoa or hot chocolate mix and store your adult chocolate bomb inside your freezer until needed. Labeled if need be!Make a Paste
I also have to share that an individual who tried this recipe made a paste out of the cocoa powder or hot chocolate mix and bailey's or whichever alcohol they were using and said it worked great. I just had to try it myself and let me tell you what a brilliant idea. It works beautifully. After creating the paste I was able to add to it both halves of the hot chocolate bombs before sealing them together. Our hot chocolate bombs floated, melted slowly and tasted amazing. No complaints here at all. I just had to share with you yet another option for creating the best hot cocoa bomb with alcohol or liqueur possible! Some methods will definitely work better for you than others. Be patient. These hot cocoa bombs are worth learning how to do. Really. With or without alcohol.For a Stronger Hot Cocoa Bomb
Another option that you can try is to take an egg carton and cover with plastic wrap. This is where you will put your totally sealed hot cocoa bombs with alcohol and place inside your freezer until needed. Heat up a butter knife under hot water. Once hot, remove hot cocoa bombs from freezer and touch top of bomb with your knife to make a small hole in your chocolate bomb. Using a small funnel, place funnel end inside the hole add more cold liqueur or liquor to your hot cocoa bomb until almost full. Melt chocolate, a little at a time as per instructions and seal up your hot cocoa bomb again as per instructions. Make sense? As my husband pointed out you could always just use two chocolate bombs instead of one but I figure now where is the fun in that? You also end up with even more chocolate in your drink if you use two hot cocoa bombs.Yet Another Option
My friend totally sealed empty hot chocolate bombs and once cool made a hole in the top. Using a funnel filled her empty hot cocoa bombs with only Bailey's Irish Cream. Frankly, any alcohol would have worked. Next, she sealed the hole with more melted chocolate and drizzled icing on top to decorate. She then placed her bombs inside the freezer, still inside her egg carton, until needed, and served with already made chocolate milk. I thought brilliant so we tried her method too and let me tell you it was super easy and the hot cocoa bombs with Bailey's were a huge hit.Popular Liquor or Liqueur Options to Consider
Are listed inside the above post just in case you're looking for a few suggestions!Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Karen
How do you make the paste with the Baileys? I didn’t see that explained. Thanks!
Karin and Ken
We use about 2/3 cup of cocoa, sometimes a little more depending on the alcohol we’re using, to 1/2 cup of Bailey’s or Grand Marnier usually. We always make more than 4 boozy hot cocoa bombs at a time. If you’re only making four hot cocoa bombs half the recipe and use 1/3 cup cocoa and 1/4 cup of alcohol to make your boozy hot cocoa bombs!
Then we fill each half of the cocoa bombs with the paste which is thick enough, similar to a ganache, that you have time to close and totally seal each bomb. Work as quickly as possible because the paste will harden somewhat.
Then, we serve our boozy hot cocoa bombs in hot chocolate milk.
Add marshmallows or whipped cream. Serve and enjoy! Hopefully you love these as much as we do! All the best. Karin
Charlene LaBonte
Can you legally sell the ones with alcohol in them?
Karin and Ken
I would think not. Definitely more for recreational use but you never know. Perhaps a lawyer would know better! All the best. Karin
Lea
Hi, how long do the bombs last with alcohol in them?
Karin and Ken
If I’m not using them right away I always store them inside the freezer until needed. Enjoy! These are definitely delicious! All the best. Karin
Lisa
Do you have to make a paste or can I put a scoop of hot Cocoa and pour some Baileys over the powder?
Karin and Ken
You can definitely pour baileys over the top of the powder before you seal up your hot cocoa bomb. Enjoy! Karin
Tanya
Made these and filled them with all kinds of different treats. No one knew what they were getting. We had a lot of fun. We will definitely do again once we finish all from our freezer.great recipe love your site.
Karin and Ken
Brilliant idea for both kids and adults! Thank you. I’ll be trying that myself! Take care and enjoy your day. Karin
Mac
We made these and they were so good. Made them with paste and filled them with just alcohol and both we loved.I tell ya I couldn’t say which way we liked better.Both floated melted and tasted so good. I can’t wait to make again thx
Karin and Ken
Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us! We appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed the recipe! Take care and be well. Karin
Bobbi
Thank you for all the info. These bombs worked out great and well be trying them a different way again.Love your site.Cheers
Karin and Ken
Glad to hear all went well. Thank you for your kind words I try my best. Take care. Karin
Angie
Thank you for making this post. It was very detailed and helpful! I was having issues with alcohol inside. I didn’t think to make a paste. I was thinking of a ganache filling, but it would be very rich.
Karin and Ken
The paste works great too! Please let me know what you think after you try it. I would love to hear! Glad to be of help. Enjoy! All the best. Karin
CM
I mixed the hot cocoa powder with the Baileys liquor creating a semi paste like filling, then. added it to my bottom half of chocolate bomb, then infused the top half of the bomb to the bottom. It worked great!
Karin and Ken
Glad to hear it worked well for you. Creating a paste is a great idea! Migh t just try that myself! All the best. Karin
Nathalie Manzano
Thank you for explaining this in such a simple way! have a question, can I fill them with cognac or Bailey’s? Caramel syrup?
Please and thank you!
Karin and Ken
You basically have a few options. First you can easily add some caramel chips (or peanut butter or butterscotch chips for that matter) to the inside of your bomb. Second, simply add a squeeze of caramel or spoonful into the middle of the bomb as you’re building it. As for alcohol I have done this with success but liqueurs and alcohols need to be treated a little differently in my experience. First, I make sure the alcohol is cold before I add it to the chocolate bomb. Second, I add the alcohol last, after the hot chocolate mix or cocoa powder or whatever else I am going to add, EXCEPT marshmallows. You have to add the marshmallows to the hot chocolate after the bomb has dissolved. The marshmallows will not work the same once you add any kind of alcohol to the bomb. Let me tell you that these are still worth making even if you have to add marshmallows after the bomb has started to melt or is almost meted. Please let me know what you think after you try it if you do. I would love to hear. All the best and happy holidays. Karin