DIY Hot Chocolate Bombs

Learn how to make the best DIY homemade Hot Chocolate Bombs! You only need less than a handful of allergen safe ingredients, like steamy Hot Chocolate Mix, fluffy Marshmallows and creamy chocolate morsels for melting, just to name a few, before these amazing bombs will be exploding in your mug. 

DIY Hot Chocolate Bombs have taken the Internet by storm. And why not?

They're easy to make and thrilling to watch disappear into a mug of hot milk only to reappear as exploding hot chocolate mix and marshmallows fill the mug.

These are enjoyable for kids and adults-- like myself who could watch these explode for hours.

Hot Chocolate Bombs are a thin shell of chocolate stuffed with mini marshmallows and hot chocolate mix.

When placed into hot dairy free milk they easily open up and release the inside mixture to form the perfect mug of hot chocolate.

With just a few ingredients and a couple little tricks you too can enjoy these gluten and dairy free hot chocolate bombs.

what to know before you start

While these DIY Hot Chocolate Bombs come together fairly easily there are a few tricks to keep in mind.

Melted gluten and dairy free chocolate chips are not equal with Wilton Candy Melts.

Allergen friendly chocolate chips are produced without extra additives leaving our chocolate tasting wonderful, but less durable once melted.

Meaning it's more difficult to manipulate when melted. But don't let that deter you from this fun DIY treat.

Just be prepared to baby these bombs more than you would with traditional Candy Melts.

diy hot chocolate bombs ingredients + recipe notes

• hot chocolate mix— my go to is The Castle Kitchen Double Dutch Dark Chocolate premium hot chocolate mix. This is available from Amazon here and their allergen statement is found here. Another suggestion is the Swiss Miss Non-Dairy Chocolate Flavored Hot Cocoa Mix. 
• coconut oil— coconut oil is optional, helps to give the finished product a shiny glean
• chocolate morsels— I use Enjoy Life semi-sweet morsels or Nestle Tollhouse Simply Delicious semi-sweet morsels. If preferred, dark chocolate works too. Both morsel brands are known to be very allergen friendly. And you can buy them in bulk here to help save money. 
• mini marshmallows— Dandies All Natural Vanilla Minis available for purchase here.
• drizzle— using leftover melted chocolate or melt more to create appealing zig zag decorations across bombs using a mini squeeze bottle found here… these mini squeeze bottles make all the difference!
• optional toppings— crushed candy canes, gluten and dairy free sprinkles. For Valentine’s themed sprinkles, grab these. For Halloween themed sprinkles, check out these. You can also add mini chocolate chips.
• boiling water or dairy free milk of choice
• bomb molds— I use these silicone molds here. The chocolate wells are easy to remove from them.
• Pro Tip: I haven’t had consistent luck melting allergen free white chocolate for drizzling or making these bombs with. If you come across a fantastic white chocolate that melts and drizzles well please comment below.

recipe instructions

Heat chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler over low stirring often. Once chocolate is melted use the back of a spoon to carefully spread melted chocolate throughout the well.

After all mold wells have been filled, go over each well again to spread chocolate up the sides that has pooled in the bottom of the mold.

Double check the entire well is covered. Place on a sheet pan and transfer to the refrigerator with the pan laying flat.

After chocolate has hardened, about 20 minutes, carefully remove each well from the mold.

Following the manufactures directions add the appropriate amount of hot chocolate mix into half of the chocolate wells.

The Castle Kitchen Double Dutch Dark Chocolate Hot Chocolate Mix calls for 2 tablespoons of mix per serving.

Top mix with a few mini marshmallows.

Heat a microwave safe plate in the microwave for 1 minute. With remaining cups place top side down onto plate for 4-5 seconds.

You will see the rim of the well/cup begin to melt. Remove from the warm plate and place on top of a filled hot chocolate and marshmallow cup.

Place melted chocolate from the plate on your finger then run your finger over the seal on the cups to help seal them together.

You will need to reheat the warm plate as needed.

PRO TIP-- keep your hands cold for this part. Your body heat will work against you and if not careful you'll end up with fingerprints on the chocolate and can even melt the cups as you hold them. I wash my hands under ice cold water and dry well before this step.

Then allow bombs to harden for 15 minutes.

Place melted chocolate in a mini squeeze bottle and drizzle in a zig zag motion across the top of the bomb. Before the chocolate drizzle sets add sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or even mini chocolate chips to the top.

Place in an air tight container away from heat until ready to consume. Follow the manufactures instructions to heat and pour the appropriate amount of water or dairy free milk of choice into a mug.

Now the fun begins!

Add in the DIY Hot Chocolate Bombs, stir, and enjoy.

how do you use hot chocolate bombs?

Once you’ve made your DIY hot cocoa bombs, all you have to do is drop your bomb into a mug of very hot dairy free milk or water.  

how long will hot chocolate bombs last? 

Homemade Hot Chocolate Bombs with marshmallows will last a few days if stored at room temperature.

Please know that after a few days, the gluten and dairy free hot chocolate bombs will start to discolor. They’ll start to show little white dots on them. 

We assume this is because they do not have any additives in them to preserve them like “classic†chocolate would have. 

what hot chocolate is gluten free? 

We recommend using Castle Kitchen Double Dutch Dark Chocolate mix since it’s gluten free and dairy free. 

You can also check out Swiss Miss Non Dairy Hot Chocolate Mix, since it’s both dairy free and gluten free. 

which dairy free milk is best for hot chocolate?

Unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk work best for hot chocolate. We suggest using one of these dairy free milk options for your homemade hot chocolate bomb.

5 reasons to make homemade hot chocolate bombs

• amazing drink after a nice long day playing out in the snow
• great gift for friends and family
• fun tradition to add to your Christmas Cookie baking traditions
• kids and adults BOTH love watching and enjoying these

more recipes you'll love

• ultimate peanut butter brownies-- these decadent fudgy brownies combine peanut butter and chocolate for the ultimate dessert bar
• s'more cookie bars-- do you love s'mores like us? If so, bake a batch of these dreamy bars and enjoy s'mores year round
• lemon streusel bars-- here's a recipe we make frequently. These layered lemon bars are unlike anything you've had before with an amazing streusel on top. They're so, so good and a nice change from chocolate recipes to give your taste buds a real zing..
• walnut brownie sundae-- grab your spoons and enjoy this warm brownie right out of the oven with a dollop of dairy free ice cream. This is always a family favorite.

lastly

These bombs are being sold locally for $4-5 a piece! Purchase a silicon mold and you can safely make your own again and again.

Enjoy experimenting with different toppings or hot chocolate brands. DIY Hot Chocolate Bombs bring cheer, amazement, and deliciousness to what otherwise could be a long and dreary winter.

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Eat well and feel well,

Jill

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