Hot Cocoa Bar Ideas to Warm Up the Season

Whether you’re looking for a fun activity to keep the kids occupied during winter break or a creative way to make your New Year’s Eve bash all the more memorable, a hot cocoa bar is a great way to celebrate the winter season while staying warm and cozy. From the hot chocolate itself to an assortment of toppings, you can make a buffet that is as simple or as elaborate as you’d like. The best part? All of these hot cocoa bar ideas can be purchased or made with ingredients from your local Foodtown grocery store!

Everything You’ll Need for a Successful Hot Chocolate Buffet

Hot chocolate is far more versatile than you might think, meaning there are plenty of ways to customize your buffet! Whether your guests are kids or adults, they’ll love having options, from different hot chocolate flavors to a variety of stir stick options to an array of colorful toppings.

Hot Chocolate Options
Powdered hot cocoa mixes are great when you’re tight on time, and they’re certainly tasty. However, homemade hot chocolate is just as easy and can be made in advance with the help of a crockpot! While you can’t go wrong with Classic Hot Chocolate, you may want to try one (or a few!) of these simple crockpot hot chocolate recipes:

Hot Chocolate Stir Stick Ideas
Add flavor and keep clean up simple (no spoons needed!) by including a few edible stir sticks. Use mason jars to display the following in a whimsical way…

Cinnamon Sticks
Peppermint Sticks or Candy Canes
Pretzel Rods
Rock Candy Sticks
Wafer Roll Cookies

Hot Cocoa Buffet Toppings
This is where the fun really starts! Even a classic cup of hot chocolate can be kicked up a notch by adding a few of these tasty toppings. An assortment allows guests to customize their beverage to their liking, so it’s a good idea to line your buffet table with a few options.

Candied Ginger
Caramel Sauce
Cinnamon
Cocoa Powder
Coconut Flakes
Crushed Pretzels
Marshmallows
Peanuts
Peeps
Whipped Cream (homemade or store-bought)

Host a Hot Cocoa Party with the Help from Foodtown

There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy hot chocolate but it’s always fun to get a little creative! Incorporate a selection of hot chocolate options, toppings, and stirrers to really impress your guests. Plan a visit to your local Foodtown grocery store to stock up on these hot cocoa bar ideas and stay warm all winter long.
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