Drinking a cup of hot chocolate is one of the best ways to celebrate the Christmas season. Hot cocoa bombs are a super fun way to serve hot chocolate, and they make really fun gifts! This reindeer hot cocoa bomb is perfect for any movie night or kiddo party, but especially if you're watching Rudolph!
Hot cocoa bombs became super popular a few years ago, I think thanks to Tik Tok! They're popular because they're easy to make, and are a fun activity for kiddos too. You do need to grab some silicone molds, and just a few ingredients.
Looking for more Christmas ideas?
- The Grinch Hot Cocoa Bomb
- Santa Hot Cocoa Bomb
- Build Your Christmas Books Collection
- DIY Mini Felt Trees
Ingredients
- chocolate melting wafers (I use these or these)
- hot cocoa mix
- mini marshmallows
- googley eyes and red royal icing
Supplies
- Silicone molds with 6 cavities for chocolate.
- microwave safe mixing bowl
- parchment paper
Making a Hot Cocoa Bomb
To make your cocoa bomb, start by melting your chocolate wafers. There are a lot of ways you can make hot cocoa bombs, and you can decide which chocolate chips or wafers you prefer. Using chocolate chips will give it a thinner shell, which can lead to more cracking but also makes it explode faster. If you want a richer taste pick up some of the Ghiradelli chocolate melting wafers next time you're at the grocery store. I got these at Michaels and they worked great.
Melt your chocolate in the microwave for a minute, then in 20-second increments as needed. If you prefer to use a double-broiler on the stove that works great too! To make the cocoa bombs green add a few drops of green food coloring into your melted chocolate and stir. A little goes a long way and you can add gradually to achieve the desired shade.
Using a spoon, add about a tablespoon of your melted chocolate into the mold cavity, then using the spoon spread it to the rim of the mold. Make sure that the edges are thick enough. After filling the mold, add to the freezer for 10-15 minutes. You can also allow the molds to come to room temperature and harden on their own, but I think they're easier and quicker to work with if you flash freeze them.
Before you remove the mold from the freezer, heat a plate in the microwave. You can also use a pan on the stovetop. Pop out the chocolate shell from the mold, removing all 6 and setting aside. If you have some that crack a little it's ok, using the hot plate will trim them down. If any crack to an extent you can't use them, set aside and you can remelt them to try again. Note- be careful handling the hot plate. You don't need it to be scalding, just warm enough to melt the edges of the chocolate.
Sealing the Hot Cocoa Bomb
Take one of the shells and slide and twist it around on the hot plate, melting the edges. Add about a tablespoon of hot cocoa mix, marshmallows and any other additions like sprinkles or candy cane bits to the inside of the shell. Quickly take the other side and spin it on the warm/hot plate as well.
Finally, press the two shells together, placing the empty one on top of the shell filled with cocoa and marshmallows. If there are gaps in the edges, use a little of the extra melted chocolate on the plate and fill with your finger. Just a reminder- these are supposed to be fun, they don't have to be absolutely perfect if you're making them for your friends and family!
Decorating your Reindeer Hot Cocoa Bomb
To make your hot cocoa bomb a reindeer, you'll want to add eyes, a red nose and antlers. The antlers are the trickiest part. You can use pretzels, or, you can use the leftover chocolate from the hot cocoa bombs and pipe ears onto parchment paper. I like this way because then it dissolves with the rest of the cocoa bomb.
To pipe the antlers, add a few spoonfuls of melted chocolate into a piping bag. If you don't have piping bags you can use a ziploc baggie and cut the edge to create your own. Make a line and add lines to create the antler look, then allow to dry completely. Using a knife make a small dent in your cocoa bomb. Add a drop of chocolate to help hold the antler in place and add your antler. Hold until it settles. It may take a little trial and error but pretty soon you'll have antlers! Add your red nose with a sprinkle or red royal icing and finish with googley eyes.
How to Use a Hot Cocoa Bomb
The "explosion" of the hot chocolate bomb is the best part! To make yours explode, place your bomb in the bottom of a mug. A Christmas-themed one is a great option, of course! Clear glass mugs are also fun because you can see the whole process.
Add a cup of hot milk or hot water to your bomb and allow to sit briefly while the liquid melts the chocolate shell. The marshmallows will float to the top! Stir the chocolate to continue melting the shell and enjoy your hot cocoa.
Tips
- These make really fun gifts! Add a gift tag and put in a baggie along with instructions on how to use for a fun neighbor or kiddo gift.
- I like to over-pour a bit when making the hot cocoa bomb. Generally, this leaves a bit of an edge that can be melted down when rubbing the chocolate shell on the plate. This can help avoid a ton of cracking.
- For a richer taste, use milk. 1 or 2% is best. You can definitely use hot water if that's what you have though! Almond milk adds a nice flavor too.
- You can use chocolate chips if you don't have melting wafers. It is a thinner shell so just be careful when popping out of the mold.
- Add candy cane bits or use a candy cane to stir!
FAQ
Yes! Milk does make the cocoa a bit creamier but you can definitely use water instead.
3-4 weeks in an airtight container.
📖 Recipe
Reindeer Hot Cocoa Bomb
Equipment
- 1 microwave safe bowl
- 1 1 silicone mold including 6 2-inch cavities
- 1 measuring spoon set
Ingredients
- 1½ cup chocolate melting wafers
- 1 tablespoon hot cocoa mix
- 1 tablespoon mini marshmallows
- 1 cup hot water or milk
- googley eyes
- 1 teaspoon red royal icing or frosting
Instructions
- Melt your chocolate in the microwave for a minute, then in 20-second increments as needed.
- Using a spoon, add about a tablespoon of your melted chocolate into the mold cavity, then using the spoon spread it to the rim of the mold. Make sure that the edges are thick enough.
- After filling the mold, add to the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
- Heat a plate in the microwave (or a pan on the stovetop). Pop out the chocolate shell from the mold, removing all 6 and setting aside. If you have some that crack a little it's ok, using the hot plate will trim them down. If any crack to an extent you can't use them, set aside and you can remelt them to try again.
- Take one of the shells and slide and twist it around on the hot plate, melting the edges. Add about a tablespoon of hot cocoa mix, marshmallows and any other additions like sprinkles or candy cane bits to the inside of the shell.
- Press the two shells together, placing the empty one on top of the shell filled with cocoa and marshmallows. If there are gaps in the edges, use a little of the extra melted chocolate on the plate and fill with your finger.
Making a Reindeer Hot Cocoa Bomb
- To decorate your hot chocolate bomb like a reindeer, add googly eyes and a red nose with either sprinkles or icing.
- To make the antlers, you can use pretzels and icing, or you can pipe extra chocolate.
- To pipe chocolate antlers, use either royal icing or extra chocolate and make a line of chocolate on the parchment paper. Add the extra lines and allow the chocolate to harden completely.
- Make a small indent in the chocolate shell, and add a dot of melted chocolate. Place the antler in the small hole and allow to set up.
Serving a Hot Cocoa Bomb
- To explode your hot chocolate bomb, place your bomb in the bottom of a mug. A clear mug is fun so you can see the full melting process! Add a cup of hot milk or hot water to your bomb and allow to sit briefly while the liquid melts the chocolate shell. The marshmallows will float to the top!
Claire says
Delicious and adorable!