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Make your next hot cocoa bar one to remember with over 40 hot chocolate topping ideas that everyone can top or stir into their mug. Not only will you walk away with a long list of ways to make your hot cocoa even better, but I've also included steps to set everything up so everyone can customize their cup, mess-free.
What Are The Best Hot Chocolate Toppings?
The best hot chocolate toppings enhance the flavor and make you want to finish the cup to the last drop.
Things like whipped cream, marshmallows, drizzles, and sprinkles are long-time favorites, but are there other ideas that top these? Well, let’s explore all the options and find out!
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Classic Cocoa Toppings
For starters, we will mention the classic and beloved hot cocoa toppings and then work our way into some different ideas throughout the post. Here goes!
- Whipped cream
- Mini marshmallows
- Homemade Marshmallows
- Cinnamon
- Chocolate syrup
- Caramel syrup
Hot Chocolate Stir-Ins
Now, let’s add some things to the mix, literally! Once you’ve poured a piping hot cup of cocoa, here are some ingredients that will complement the rich cocoa flavors as you stir them in. *All chocolates and candies will melt and add to the flavor of the hot chocolate!
- Liquid coffee creamers: vanilla, caramel, pumpkin spice, etc.
- Peanut butter
- Cookie butter
- Incredible Homemade Caramel Sauce
- Chocolate truffles
- Chocolate caramels
- Chocolate oranges
- White chocolate truffles
- Chocolate chips
- Caramel chips
What To Sprinkle On Top of Hot Chocolate
Okay, so we’ve got a mug of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream or marshmallows- what’s next? Take a look at this list and see which ideas you’d love sprinkled on top:
- Chopped peppermint bark
- Chopped peppermints
- Chocolate shavings
- White chocolate shavings
- Coarse sea salt- goes great with caramel sauce.
- Mini M&M’s
- Rainbow sprinkles
- Chocolate sprinkles
- Crushed Biscoff cookies
- Crushed graham crackers
- Crushed gingerbread cookies
- Chopped Ande mints
- Chopped Reese’s Cups
- Chopped toffee
Mixers You Can Eat
Stirring hot cocoa with a spoon is overrated. Instead, use a mixer that you can use to stir AND eat!
- Peppermint sticks
- Pirouette cookies
- Chocolate dipped spoons
- Cinnamon sticks (don’t eat this one, but it IS fun!)
What to Serve With Hot Chocolate
Want to serve more than just hot chocolate toppings? Here’s a list of treats and baked goods you can set on the display and dunk into the hot cocoa- bonus points for that!
- Biscoff cookies
- Oreos (like this Homemade Oreo recipe)
- Wafer cookies
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Crispy Cereal Treats
- Stoop waffles (life-changing with hot cocoa)
- Christmas cookies
- Healthy No-Bake Blondies
- Famous Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies
- English scones
- Donut holes
- Oatmeal Bites
- Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
- Anything from my Clean Treats book of epic Desserts
Make a Hot Chocolate Bar
To create a hot cocoa bar that flows, you want the ingredients displayed in the order which they will be added to the cup.
Start with the mugs/paper cups, napkins, spoons, and straws on one side of the table. Next, you’ll have the prepared hot cocoa, followed by stir-ins, toppings, and edible mixers.
The last section on the table should be the cookies and treats, so your guests can grab them with their finished mug.
I HIGHLY recommend preparing the hot cocoa ahead of time and keeping it warm in a slow cooker. These extra steps will prevent messes, burns, and spills on your carefully arranged display.
Best Hot Chocolate Recipes to Try
Of course, I provide you with my five-star hot cocoa recipe you can print below, feel free to double, triple, or quadruple the recipe as needed. But here are a few other recipes in case you want to try other options!
- Caramel Hot Cocoa
- Strawberry Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
- White Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Hot Chocolate With Chocolate Chips
- Nutella Hot Chocolate
- Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Best Hot Chocolate Toppings
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup hot water
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups milk, dairy or non-dairy
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream
- 1 tablespoon shaved chocolate
- A light dusting of cinnamon
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, water, and salt over medium heat.
- Cook, stirring constantly until smooth and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat, and stir in the milk, do not boil.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream, shaved chocolate, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
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