Hot chocolate bombs with marshmallows are a fun way to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. With or without alcohol, this recipe is the chocolate bomb.

My love for chocolate has no bounds. A fun way of getting my fix is through these hot chocolate bombs.

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, these delightful treats can be made with ease at home and cost a lot less than buying them from a store or bakery. A hot chocolate bomb recipe that really delivers.

Let me show you how 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 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.

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.

What are Hot Chocolate Bombs?

Also known as a hot chocolate cocoa bombs copycat recipe, in a nutshell, these are simply chocolate spheres or shells filled with hot cocoa mix and marshmallows.

Add whatever you want to the shell as the sky’s the limit! But the hot cocoa mix with extra marshmallows is a classic and my all time favorite.

Add your hot chocolate bomb creation to hot milk or pour the hot milk over it.

Once the hot milk melts the chocolate, the bomb explodes and oozes nothing but hot cocoa mix and marshmallowy goodness!

Give it a few more stirs and your hot chocolate bomb with marshmallows becomes a warm and cozy cup of hot chocolate. Mmm mm.

Best Chocolate for Hot 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 even though you must 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 as well.

Again, as long as they’re quality. Generally, any chocolate containing 65% cocoa that includes cocoa butter (to assist in melting), will give you the best results.

You don’t need to spend a lot, just go with middle of the road, reasonably priced baking chocolate or chocolate chips. 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 making them both melt and set beautifully.

Ultimately, these are the best two brands of chocolate for making the best chocolate for cocoa bombs and I won’t spend the extra money on either.

No matter which chocolate you choose to use always have a look at the ingredients.

How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs Without Mold

Its not as easy and your hot cocoa bombs aren’t round but you can fit a lot of hot cocoa and marshmallows inside each egg shaped bomb!

Substitute an egg carton totally wrapped in plastic wrap if you don’t have the appropriate mold.

Wrap individual eggs in plastic wrap, dip them in chocolate and just let them set like you would normally. If making with small children you might want to hard boil your eggs first just in case one breaks and accidents do 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 almost too hot to handle or use oven mitts to hold the knife while hot to melt the hot cocoa or hot chocolate mold in half.

Then all that’s left is to stuff and seal the hot cocoa egg back up!

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.

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.

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 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!

Besides using Bailey’s 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.

Bailey’s 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 cheery 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

Basic Hot Chocolate Bomb Ingredients

Again, all that’s required are two ingredients to make a quality hot chocolate bomb.

Chocolate bark
Hot cocoa powder or mix

Chocolate bark— Can be found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. Not to be confused with chocolate chips as they won’t harden the same way that chocolate bark does. For superb hot chocolate bombs, grab good quality chocolate bark 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!

Other ingredient suggestions

Different varieties of hot chocolate drink bombs are nearly endless and hopefully, this list will spark your creativity in making hot chocolate drink bombs unique to your tastes and desires.

sparkles and sprinkles
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 bomb creations!

Chocolate Bomb Tools

These are the tools to make the magic happen:

Circle 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 2 inch diameter. I prefer the hot cocoa bomb mold above that is 2 1/2 inches in diameter.

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.

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 so 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.
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 paper towel and use hot plate to press top half onto until very warm, usually a few seconds, and then place on top of other half.
Fill a spoon of melted chocolate and run it around the seam of the bomb to seal.
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: Mix with Hot Milk

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.
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.

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 baggie.

An empty egg carton also works great as long as it’s wrapped in a 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 parchment paper and place inside an airtight container before freezing.

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 Cheesecake

Not feeling the chocolate? For a savory treat, try this Cheesy Tuna Bomb.

Full Hot Chocolate Bomb Recipe

1/2 cup chocolate bark
4 teaspoons hot cocoa mix
Extra marshmallows

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 so of hot cocoa mix in each side of the mold. Or place hot cocoa mix on one side and extra marshmallows in the other.
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 in the microwave or on the stove top. Ensure it’s hot, but not boiling.
Place the 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!

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 1/4 to 1/2 inch paintbrush to make your chocolate bomb molds.
When sealing your bombs edges, don’t use force.
Allow chocolate to set long enough inside fridge, 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 meting 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 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
Make sure mold is clean so nothing sticks to your chocolate bombs.

Best Hot Chocolate Bombs Recipe