These Christmas Hot Chocolate Bombs are festive, fun, and irresistibly cozy! Made with rich chocolate, creamy cocoa mix, and a flurry of marshmallows, they're the perfect treat for snowy nights or holiday gifting.
Jump to:
- Why This Recipe Works
- What You Need for Christmas Hot Cocoa Bombs?
- Silicone Molds vs 3-Piece Molds
- How to Make Christmas Hot Chocolate Bombs?
- How to Make Grinch Bombs?
- How to Make Snowman Bombs?
- How to Make Reindeer Bombs?
- How to Make Santa Bombs?
- How to Make Snow Ball/Glitter Ball Bombs?
- How to Make Ornament Hot Chocolate Bombs?
- Expert Hot Cocoa Bomb Tips
- More Christmas Hot Chocolate Bombs Variations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Related Recipes
- Christmas Hot Chocolate Bombs
A few years ago, I shared my hot cocoa bombs recipe, and it went crazy viral on YouTube. This was during the peak craze of all things hot cocoa bombs.
Although the craze has calmed a bit, I still love making them and giving them as gifts, especially around Christmas!
Why This Recipe Works
- Fun and Festive: Each hot chocolate bomb is like a mini holiday surprise waiting to melt into a mug of warm milk.
- Customizable: You can decorate them in any color or theme-perfect for Christmas parties or gifts.
- Rich and Creamy Flavor: Chocolate shells make every sip extra decadent.
- Perfect Make-Ahead Treat: Store them for days and pop one into hot milk whenever you want instant comfort.
If you like these fun decorated Christmas Treats, check out my Christmas Holiday Popcorn, Christmas Rice Krispies, and these Christmas Oreo Balls!
What You Need for Christmas Hot Cocoa Bombs?
- Candy Melts- Use different colors for different designs!
- Christmas Sprinkles, Christmas Luster Dust, and other Decorations (i.e. pretzels for reindeer antlers, mini REESE's for snowman hats)
- Hot Cocoa Mix & Mini Marshmallows: These create that rich, chocolatey drink once the bomb melts. I like to use store-bought mix, but homemade works great too.
- 3-Piece Molds: I love using 3-piece molds for any sort of chocolate work! Check out these for fun Christmas Cocoa bomb molds: Ornament Mold #1, Ornament Mold #2, Oranament Mold #3, Sphere Mold.
- Clear Plastic Treat Bag to wrap them in if giving as gifts.
Silicone Molds vs 3-Piece Molds
In my last hot cocoa bomb recipe, I used silicone molds. They worked fine, but did have quite a learning curve that I did not enjoy.
When I first used my 3-Piece Molds- WOW! It was so easy and produced way more consistently good set pieces of chocolate.
For these hot cocoa bombs, I recommend these 3-Piece Molds: Ornament Mold #1, Ornament Mold #2, Ornament Mold #3, and this Smooth Sphere Mold.
How to Make Christmas Hot Chocolate Bombs?
- Step 1: Mark your 3-piece mold fill lines. This makes using them even easier! Melt your candy melts at 50% power in the microwave. I recommend melting the candy melts in batches, using up a batch before moving on to melting more.
- Step 2: Fill the mold up to the fill line with chocolate, add the insert, and then flip the mold upside down.
- Step 3: Gently press the mold to smoosh the chocolate all the way to the edge if it needs help. Stick the mold in the freezer (my preference) or refrigerator until set.
- Step 4: Once set, gently pop out each chocolate bomb half.
- Step 5: Fill one ½ of the chocolate bomb with hot cocoa mix and marshmallows or small candy pieces.
- Step 6: Place an empty chocolate shell rim down on a hot plate or a warm fry pan, and allow the edge to melt slightly. Stick the slightly melted edge against one of the filled chocolate shells, then gently press them together.
- Step 7: Allow each hot chocolate bomb to set completely, then, if desired, drizzle melted candy melts over them or decorate them to look like the character you want.
How to Make Grinch Bombs?
- Step 8: Use green candy melts, with green lines piped on, and a heart sprinkle.
How to Make Snowman Bombs?
Check out my Snowman Oreo Balls and Christmas Cake Pops for other snowman variations!
- Step 9: Use white candy melts, with a little black, orange, brown, and red piped on for the featured, and mini REESES for the hat.
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How to Make Reindeer Bombs?
- Step 11: Use brown candy melts, a broken pretzel for the antlers, two black dots (I used black candy melts) for the eyes, and a red candy (red hot or red M&M) for the nose.
How to Make Santa Bombs?
- Step 12: Use red candy melts, then pipe on black and yellow melts for the belt and buckle.
How to Make Snow Ball/Glitter Ball Bombs?
- Step 13: Use extra melted chocolate and sanding sugar. Smooth some melted chocolate over the bomb, then quickly roll it in the sanding sugar so it sticks and covers the hot cocoa bomb. These are the trickiest to make.
How to Make Ornament Hot Chocolate Bombs?
- Step 14: The easiest and best way I've found to cover chocolate bombs with a shine is to use food-grade luster dust. Place a small amount of luster dust in a ¼ filled baggie of round sprinkles.
- Step 15: Place the hot cocoa bomb-either half a shell or fully assembled-in the bag, and gently roll the sprinkles over the chocolate. This will adhere the luster dust but not the sprinkles.
- Step 3: Enjoy the hot cocoa bombs with hot milk!
Expert Hot Cocoa Bomb Tips
- Easy Sealing: Gently heat a plate and melt the edges of one half before pressing to seal.
- Avoid Overheating: Melt chocolate slowly in short bursts to prevent seizing.
- Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place or refrigerate if your kitchen is warm.
- Single Layer: Don't stack the molds in the freezer/refrigerator. This can cause the chocolate to bloom.
- Flat Surface: Place the molds on a flat surface, dome-side up, in the freezer to help the chocolate set correctly.
- Fully Set: If the chocolate doesn't pop out of the mold easily, it isn't completely set. Return the molds to the freezer or refrigerator for another 5-10 minutes and try again.
- Large Batch: If making large quantities, some people like to decorate each half of the cocoa bomb first before filling and assembling.
- Smooth Finish: To avoid fingerprints when decorating, use food-safe plastic gloves.
- Decorating: Using a cupcake pan upside down to hold the cocoa bombs as the decorations dry, so they don't roll!
- Clean Up: Hand-wash your molds. Do not put in the dishwasher!
More Christmas Hot Chocolate Bombs Variations
- Peppermint Bombs: Add crushed candy canes inside or on top for a minty finish.
- Caramel Delight: Add caramel bits or drizzle caramel inside the shell before sealing. Check whether the caramel needs refrigeration, and store cocoa bombs accordingly.
- S'mores Version: Toss in graham cracker crumbs and marshmallows for a s'mores-inspired cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Use Christmas Hot Chocolate Bombs?
Place one in a mug and pour hot milk over it, watch it melt and stir to combine!
Can You Use Chocolate Chips to Make Hot Cocoa Bombs?
Only if you temper the chocolate. Tempering chocolate is quite a process that, if you get it wrong, the chocolate won't set and will be soft at room temperature. Not what you want for hot cocoa bombs. I reccomend using candy melts which don't have this issue.
Are Hot Cocoa Bombs Better With Milk Or Water?
This is up to your preference, but milk has a little fat in it so it can help cut through some of the sweetness of the cocoa bombs.
Do Hot Cocoa Bombs Need to Be Refrigerated?
Not typically. Only if they have a perishable filling added to the center.
How Do I Store Christmas Hot Chocolate Bombs?
Keep them cool and dry - avoid humidity to prevent melting or bloom on the chocolate.
How Big Should Hot Cocoa Molds Be?
My silicone molds are ~2 ½ inches in diameter and the 3-piece molds are just under ~2 inches in diameter (50 mm).
I prefer the 50mm ones for bombs becasue they are so sweet.
More Related Recipes
Make sure to check out all my Christmas Recipes, like Christmas Cheesecake, Grinch Cookies, Gingerbread Trifle, Christmas Cracker Candy, and this Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Dip!
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Christmas Hot Chocolate Bombs
These Christmas Hot Chocolate Bombs are festive, fun, and filled with cocoa, marshmallows, and holiday cheer - perfect for gifting or cozy nights in!
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Servings: 10
Equipment
- 3 Piece Molds*- Classic Sphere, Trees, Bulbs etc
Ingredients
- 12 oz Chocolate candy melts makes ~6-15 hot cocoa bombs, depending on the size of molds.
- ½-1 tbs Hot cocoa mix per bomb
- Mini marshmallows optional
- Crushed Peppermint Pieces optional
Instructions
- If using 3-piece molds (highly recommend), mark the fill line on the outside of the molds with a sharpie. This makes it easy to see. If using silicone molds check out this Hot Cocoa Bomb post here to see how to use them.
- Place ½ of the chocolate candy melts in a microwave safe dish. Microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds, stir, and repeat until melted. I like to work with the melts in batches.12 oz Chocolate candy melts
- Spoon the melted candy melt into the mold up to the fill line, and place the insert into the mold. Then flip the mold and gently press the chocolate around so it covers all the mold.
- Pop the molds into the freezer or refrigerator, set flat and not stacked one on top of another. * Freeze for 8-10 minutes or refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
- Gently remove each half of hardened melts and the inserts from the molds. Then repeat steps 1-4 with the remaining chocolate candy melts. The chocolate should come away from the molds very easily if set fully. If they are sticking and not popping out, return the molds to the freezer/refrigerator for another 5-10 minutes and try again.
- Fill half of all the chocolate shells with your preferred Hot Cocoa mixture, mini marshmallows and peppermint pieces, if using..½-1 tbs Hot cocoa mix, Mini marshmallows, Crushed Peppermint Pieces
- With either a hot plate or a warm fry pan, place an empty chocolate shell rim down and allow the edge to melt slightly.
- Stick the slightly melted edge against one of the filled chocolate shells and gently press together. You may need to smooth out the melted chocolate over the seam for it to seal.
- Allow each hot chocolate bomb to set up completely, then drizzle melted candy melts over them if desired or decorate to look like the character you want.
- Enjoy by pouring hot milk over the Hot Cocoa Bomb so it melts, then stir and enjoy!
Grinch Bomb
- Use green candy melts with a heart sprinkle
Snowman Bombs
- Use white candy melts, with a little black, orange, and brown with some mini reeses for the hat.
Reindeer Bombs
- Use brown melts, with pretzel for the antlers, 2 black dots for the eyes, and a red candy for the nose.
Santa Suit Bombs
- Use red candy melts, pipe on black and yellow melts for the belt
Snow Ball/Glitter Ball Bombs
- Use extra melted chocolate and sanding sugar. Smooth some melted chocolate melts over the ball, then quickly roll it in the sanding sugar so it sticks and covers the hot cocoa bomb.
Shiny Ornament Bulbs
- The easiest and best way I've found to cover chocolate bombs with a shine is to use food safe luster dust. Place a small amount of luster dust in a ¼ filled baggie of round sprinkles. Place the hot cocoa bomb in the bag and gently roll the sprinkles over the chocolate. This will adhere the luster dust but not the sprinkles.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
- *Although I've used silicone molds in the past, I love using 3-piece molds. They are much easier to use, more efficient, and waste less chocolate. The 50 mm molds are what I use in the picture here. 2 ½-inch bombs are what I use in my original hot cocoa bomb post.
- *Stacking the molds can lead to the chocolate blooming.
- Nutrition is an estimate and doesn't include variety in fillings, decorating pieces, or milk used for drinking.
- Can you use chocolate chips to make hot cocoa bombs? Only if you temper the chocolate. Tempering chocolate is quite a process that, if you get it wrong, the chocolate won't set and will be soft at room temperature. Not what you want for hot cocoa bombs, and I don't recommend it.
- Are hot cocoa bombs better with milk or water? This is up to your preference, but milk has contains fat, which can help cut through some of the sweetness of the cocoa bombs.
- Do hot cocoa bombs need to be refrigerated? Not typically. Only if they have a perishable filling added to the center.
Nutrition
Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 0.02g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Sodium: 22mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 0.1IU | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.01mg
Lisa says
These Christmas cocoa bombs are so fun!