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These Candy Bar Hot Chocolate Recipes are a must during the winter months. Almond Joy, Reese’s, and Twix flavorings are sure to please any chocolate lover!
Featured with this recipe
Create the best tasting homemade hot chocolate with three of the MOST popular add-ins! Hot chocolate brings the family together when it is cold outside. These three flavors are just what you need! Stay warm and plan a party around these three hot chocolates.
We love having a hot chocolate bar for parties, get togethers, or just because. Hot chocolate is easy to set up with simple ingredients. This homemade hot chocolate has a rich and creamy base. Then stir in your favorite candy flavors and add a topping to create a candy bar hot chocolate drink. You will be making hot chocolate every day!
Ingredients for Homemade Hot Chocolate
For these candy bar hot chocolate recipes you can use your typical packaged powder mix, but I am including a homemade hot chocolate in case you want to make it from scratch. You can use whatever “base” recipe you want and then use the candy bar minx-in’s for each individual 8 ounce serving. I am doing it this way so if you are doing a “hot chocolate bar” you can instruct your guests how to flavor their own individual cups.
- Cocoa powder – A high quality unsweetened cocoa powder is will have all the flavor. Ghirardelli or Guittard are always quality chocolate brands to choose from.
- Sugar – Add in the sweetness!
- Salt – Just a pinch to blend the flavors together.
- Water – Boil water for about 90 seconds in the microwave in a glass measuring cup.
- Milk – This adds creamy and rich flavors to the mixture. The higher the fat content of milk will help
- Vanilla – There is just something about vanilla extract that adds the hidden touch of flavor.
- Heavy cream – Creamier and thickness added to the hot chocolate.
Almond Joy Hot Chocolate
- Coconut – Do not use coconut milk but coconut syrup.
- Amaretto syrup – This is basically an almond flavoring that will create the almond joy taste.
- Whipped cream – Always love a good whipped cream topping!
- Chocolate syrup – Besides chocolate syrup on top, you will love hot fudge too!
- Coconut flakes – Although the coconut flakes tastes delicoius on their own, toasting the flakes are even better for garnish.
Reese’s Hot Chocolate
- Reese’s peanut butter – Other peanut butter is fine too but this one just tastes the best in my opinion.
- Whipped cream – Add as much or little that you like.
- Chocolate syrup – Hot fudge will work too!
- Reese’s peanut butter cups – Chop or crumble for garnish!
Twix Hot Chocolate
- Caramel topping – Make a homemade caramel sauce or top it with
- Whipping cream – Always a favorite!
- Caramel and/or chocolate toppings – Twix has the best combination of caramel and chocolate.
- Twix bars – Cut, chop, and slice to your liking for garnish!
Toppings and Variations of Flavored Hot Chocolate
Here is the base ingredients for a simple, yet, creamy and chocolaty hot chocolate. This easy recipe, with your added favorite chocolate candy bar makes for the best hot chocolate. Create another flavor with your personal toppings and flavors!
- Sauces – Caramel sauce , chocolate, and raspberry sauce are always favorites to try!
- Toppings – Marshmallows (mini marshmallows) are always popular! During the winter months, candy canes, and nuts.
- Chocolate – Try a variety of chocolates like dark chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, mint chocolate chips, or chocolate chips.
- Spices – Depending on your season you may want to add in pumpkin spice for the fall or cayenne for a spicy Mexican hot chocolate.
“This was quite the winter treat! Kids loved it, saving to make again soon!”
-Noelle
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Both of these names have traits that are similar but also are different in some ways too. Hot cocoa is made from cocoa powder, sugar, and milk. It is sweet and light in texture whereas hot chocolate is thick, rich, and creamy. Hot chocolate is finely chopped chocolate mixed with hot milk and stirred together.
Yes! Reheat hot chocolate in the microwave using 30 second intervals or on the stove top over medium heat, stirring it. You do not want it to start boiling. This will separate the milk and chocolate.
Hot chocolate can stay warm for hours as long as it it in a safe warming device. You will want your temperature to stay at a consistent 160 degrees Fahrenheit without it boiling over.
Storing Hot Chocolate and Candy
Now that you’ve made the best batch of homemade hot chocolate, here’s how to store and enjoy it later!
- Once your hot chocolate has cooled to room temperature, keep it cooled in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. The shelf-life is lower than other beverages due to the amount of milk and cream.
- When reheating the hot chocolate use either the microwave, slow cooker, or the stovetop. Although it is quicker in the microwave, it is best to warm up slowly but not to let it boil.
More Hot Chocolate Recipes
Candy Bar Hot Chocolate – Almond Joy, Reeses, and Twix
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup unsweetened hot cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- pinch salt
- 1/3 cup boiling water I heat it for 90 seconds in the microwave in a glass measuring cup
- 3 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half
Almond Joy Hot Chocolate:
- 1 Tablespoon cream of coconut not coconut milk, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon amaretto syrup here is what it looks like
- whipped cream to taste
- chocolate syrup to taste
- coconut flakes toasted, to taste, for garnish
Reese’s Hot Chocolate:
- 1 Tablespoon Reese’s peanut butter other peanut butter is fine, the Reese’s kind is best though
- whipped cream to taste
- chocolate syrup or butterscotch syrup to taste
- Reese’s peanut butter cups crumbled or chopped, to taste for garnish
Twix Hot Chocolate:
- 1 Tablespoon caramel topping or to taste
- whipping cream to taste
- caramel and/or chocolate topping to taste
- 2 Twix bars
Instructions
- Combine cocoa, sugar and salt in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Stir in boiling water.
- Bring to an almost-boil and reduce heat to a simmer.
- Simmer, whisking constantly, for 2 minutes.
- Stir in milk and heat until hot (do not bring to a boil– just until it is hot).
- Remove from heat and add vanilla and cream.
- Pour into 4 separate mugs, allow to cool to drinking temperature and serve.
For the candy bar flavorings, the ingredients are per individual 8 oz. serving– if you want to flavor ALL of the hot chocolate at once, quadruple the flavoring ingredients
Almond Joy:
- Stir in Cream of Coconut and amaretto. Top with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and coconut flakes
Reeses:
- Stir in peanut butter. Top with whipped cream, chocolate syrup/butterscotch and Reese’s crumbles
Twix:
- Stir in caramel topping, top with whipped cream, caramel topping and/or chocolate topping and serve with Twix bars.
Notes
How to Store and Reheat Hot Chocolate
- Once your hot chocolate has cooled to room temperature, keep it chilled in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
- Reheat the hot chocolate use either the microwave, slow cooker, or the stovetop. Warm up slowly but not to let it boil.
Nutrition Information
This was quite the winter treat! Kids loved it, saving to make again soon!
Wow I am drooling over this! Can’t wait to make it with my son!
Please keep me in touch with my email of new recipes thank you
We will add you to our email list. Thank you, Gail!
Thank you