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STYLiNG | Hot Cocoa Bar

Monday, December 31

Happy New Year's Eve!!

How about putting together a very simple "Dessert Bar" of sorts...
just in time for your New Year's Eve festivities...

 A SiMPLE HOT CHOCOLATE/COCOA BAR

A Few Toppings...

Some Drinking Mugs or Paper Cups
(optional items shown here: striped straws, mini wooden spoons and min wooden scoops)

This printable Chalkboard Art Print

and you and your guests will be enjoying one of these in no time.

One of the great things about a Hot Cocoa Bar is
the versatility of it!!
You can create one for a large celebration...
an intimate gathering...
or you can create one for your home as part of your decor to enjoy through the holidays...
and to carry you all the way through the cold winter months.

It's wonderful to have for when friends/neighbors drop by...
You've already got something special waiting to warm them up.









You don't need a lot of space to put a Hot Cocoa Bar together either.
A corner on your kitchen counter...
or a small side table is really all the room you need.

I kept this one SUPER simple...
and I chose to use brown accents to go with my new Holiday Color Scheme I used this year.
If you want to really dress yours up...
add ribbons, pom poms, fake snow, banners, tags, etc. -  you totally have that option.
If you want to scale it down even more...that works too.
It's whatever works for you and your particular situation.

I chose to offer 5 different toppings...
You could opt to offer more or less depending on your preferences and budget.

I opted to use mugs I already had...
You could choose to do paper cups instead.

You get what I'm saying.
Create what works for you!!
Make it your own.

Aside from the Popcorn Bar I hosted a while back...
this was hands-down the most simple "dessert table" I've ever put together.
And quite possibly one of my favorites.

I hope you are inspired to put one together.
It doesn't take a whole lot of effort - pinky promise!

>>>THE DETAILS FOR CREATING YOUR OWN<<<

HOT COCOA BAR ESSENTIALS:
Hot Cocoa Mix - suggestions below
Toppings - suggestions listed below
Mugs or Paper Cups
Spoons for stirring
Scoops or spoons for adding toppings
Napkins
Straws - optional
Hot Milk or Hot Water - if you have a Keurig, guests can make a cup of hot water on demand.

Tip: Keep the hot water or hot milk supply out of reach from children.


TOPPING IDEAS:
Chocolate Chips - Ghiradelli Semi-Sweet minis are my favorite
White Chocolate Chips
Caramel Candies - keep them wrapped or cut them up 
Peppermint Candies
White Chocolate Peppermint Candies -  Andes Peppermint Crunch Thins are yummy!
Marshmallows -  I love the Mini Vanilla Mallow Bits by Jet-Puffed
Chocolate Sprinkles
Whipped Topping

OPTIONS FOR HOT COCOA MIX - as suggested by Serious Eats:
Fancy (made with milk) - Jacques Torres - Classic Hot Chocolate

or try this...

HOMEMADE HOT COCOA MIX RECIPE - sent to me by my sweet friend, Suzanne Johnson at SHE Paperie
Ingredients:
3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Whisk together all ingredients in a large bowl.
Working in two batches, pulse the ingredients in a food processor until the white chocolate is finely ground.
Store in airtight container for up to 3 months.

To Make a Cup:
Scoop 1/3 cup of cocoa mix into a mug and stir in 1 cup of hot water or milk.
Garnish with your favorite toppings.

For additional Hot Cocoa Powder brand suggestions...

SUPPLIES I USED TO CREATE THE HOT COCOA BAR SHOWN
• Printable Hot Cocoa Chalkboard Art Print - Pen N' Paperflowers
• Printable Hot Chocolate Dessert Bar Topping Labels - Pen N' Paperflowers
• Brown Striped Straws - TomKat Studio Party Shop
• Mini Wooden Spoons - TomKat Studio Party Shop
• Mini Wooden Scoops - TomKat Studio Shop - not listed yet - please inquire
• Mini Marshmallows - Jet Puffed Mini Mallows
• Chocolate Vermacelli Sprinkles - as garnish
• Large Storage Jars for toppings - Weck 1/2 Liter Tulip Jar #744
• Small Storage Jar for Chocolate Sprinkles - Weck 1/5 Jelly Jar #762

MORE HOT COCOA BAR INSPIRATION
Hot Chocolate Bar
Cabin in the Woods Hot Cocoa Bar

Happy New Year's Eve everyone!!
Celebrate safely!!

Did you pick your "Action Word" for 2013?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

You outdid yourself , love the concept and complete execution.
Happy New Year.
Aimee B.

Julie Gallagher said...

This is pretty awesome - and very original! The poster being the highlight!

Anonymous said...

Jessica - this is adorable in EVERY sense of the word! The styling is sublime. You outdid yourself once again! And how honored I feel that you shared the recipe from our holiday card, thank you! What a lovely post to wrap up 2013, I love it!!!

Anonymous said...

Jessica - this is adorable in EVERY sense of the word! The styling is sublime. You outdid yourself once again! And how honored I feel that you shared the recipe from our holiday card, thank you! What a lovely post to wrap up 2013, I love it!!!

Unknown said...

Thanks Aimee B. - I'm thrilled you love it. Happy New Year to you too!

Julie - I'm so glad you love the poster. I hope you'll try printing it and let me know what you think.

Suzanne - I'm STiLL drooling over your Christmas Card!! I was so happy to get the Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe - it was perfect timing! Thank you!!

Happy New Year everybody!!
Thanks for being here and reading along! Hugs!

Eva LaBodadetusSuenos said...

So beautiful. I love it! Congratulations!!

Christina Paul said...

Such Fun! Am "borrowing/stealing" this idea for stepdaughter's "got milk" baby shower! Love the chalkboard graphic!

Pen + Paper Flowers said...

Oh I'm so happy to hear that Christina Paul! I hope you have fun putting it together!! Thanks for visiting my blog - I hope you return often! Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

Hi - Foubd this on Pinterest and was wondering if there was a way to download the Printable Hot Chocolate Dessert Bar Topping Labels - love the idea! Thanks

Pen + Paper Flowers said...

Hi Megan! Thanks for asking about the printable Hot Chocolate Dessert Bar Topping Labels.
I've actually got an entire collection available in my Etsy Shoppe right here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/215083897/chalkboard-hot-chocolate-bar-full?ref=shop_home_feat_3

I do an updated Hot Chocolate Bar every year for my family so here are the details from the one I did last year: http://www.pnpflowersinc.com/2014/12/DIY-Hot-Chocolate-Bar.html

I hope that helps!!

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