If Heaven is filled with candy, I want it to be filled with chocolate mint! I've always been a huge fan of the chocolatey-minty perfection. The texture of the candies, the way they look...seriously. I'm in love. Whenever I go out to dinner, I ask for extras of the mints every single time. As a thank you, I leave the server a little extra, too.
Mocha Mint Hot Cocoa Bombs are an awesome treat to have on hand. They are decadent and turn a hot cup of milk into something nothing short of incredible. Seriously. I'm drooling just thinking about it. They also make great gifts - throw them in a mason jar or one of those pretty cellophane bags, and you've got a presentable, delicious gift for someone special!
The best part about hot cocoa bombs for me is the convenience. Of course, I do love to watch them melt into the steamed milk, but I can also warm some milk, drop in a hot cocoa bomb, go start my car (don't forget this is NY and baby it's COLD outside!) and come in and drink hot cocoa while it warms up.
It's also soooo much fun to curl up with a warm blanket, turn on one of those cheesy Christmas love stories, and sit back and sip for a few hours of relaxation!
How to Make Mocha Mint Hot Cocoa Bombs
- 2 cups Chocolate Candy Melts
- ¼ cup Green or red sprinkles
- 2 cups Mint Hot Chocolate Mix
- 2 cups Mini Marshmallows
- 12 drops coffee extract, divided (2 drops per cocoa bomb)
- mint chips, chunks, mini York patties, broken up Andes…whatever your favorite chocolate mint candy is
Instructions:
- Place chocolate candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl and melt them in the microwave per the directions on the package. I do have the Wilton chocolate melter, but any microwavable dish will do the trick.
- Place 1 tablespoon melted chocolate into one half of a bomb mold and using the bottom of a tablespoon or something of a similar shape, press the chocolate up the sides of the mold, keeping it as thick as you can without needing extra. Repeat with the remaining 11 halves.
- Place the melted chocolate filled bomb molds into the freezer for 5 minutes so that they can harden quickly.
- While the chocolate is setting, place the mint candies in a plastic zipper baggie and smash the candy into small bits. This is a great way to get rid of frustration, too, or to give the kids something to do. I usually use a rolling pin. Place the candy bits in a bowl and set aside.
- Remove the molds from the freezer and gently slide them out of the mold. This is a bit tricky, but once you get the technique down, you're good to go. It helps if you let them just sit for about a minute on the counter before you even try.
- Fill half (6) of the molds with 1 tablespoon mint hot chocolate mix, 2 drops of coffee extract, 1 tablespoon crushed candy, and 6-8 mini marshmallows.
- Heat a plate or piece of stoneware in the microwave until it gets pretty warm. Don't burn yourself!
- To make the perfect hot cocoa bomb, you have to have the perfect seal on the two pieces of the chocolate. This part is a little bit tricky, but once you get the hang of it, you're golden. Start by pressing one empty chocolate bomb half open-side-down onto the flat portion of the warm surface for about 10 seconds. This will gently melt the rim of the chocolate cup.
- Immediately press this warmed edge chocolate cup to the top of one of the filled cups. This will join the two halves of the hot cocoa bomb. I usually give it a little twist when I put it on there. I'm not sure if that helps or not, but I feel the need to do it.
I'm not going to lie and say that these turned out gorgeous on the first try, because they truly didn't. Hot cocoa bombs have to be fanci-fied to look as pretty on the outside as they taste on the inside. Or not. If they're just for you, does it really matter? I'm inclined to say not always. There are some days that things looking pretty just don't do it for me either. On those days, I skip the decorating and just throw them in a jar for later. It doesn't change the taste!
Decorating Your Mocha Mint Hot Cocoa Bombs
- Using a damp paper towel, dampen the top of the hot cocoa bomb slightly.
- Sprinkle the red and green sprinkles over the damp part.
- Place the hot cocoa bombs into the freezer for 5 minutes to get them to set, then remove and store in a jar, or if you're short on storage, a freezer bag.
- To use the hot cocoa bombs, place them in your favorite hot cocoa mug and pour 2 cups of hot milk over the top. Stir until the hot cocoa bombs are completely melted, and enjoy! (Or, if you live in New York, set it up, go start your car, and then stir when you come back in!)
That's all there is to it! Now all you have to do is sit back and enjoy! Cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie and cozy blanket not essential, but they definitely add to the enjoyment!
Speaking of extra, I’m excited to be one of Google’s paid early testers for their Thank with Google pilot program. Thank with Google is an experimental feature that allows you to purchase a virtual sticker and directly show your appreciation for content on my website. As a loyal supporter, you can now feel more connected and engaged because you have the ability to express yourself and share what my work means to you.
What I really love is that my readers get to choose and select from a variety of different stickers. Every time you decide to send a paid sticker, you can add a personal message. And for me, these virtual stickers can translate into direct revenue to support the work that goes into the content that you are enjoying on my blog.
You can find the Thank with Google feature right under the share buttons at the top of this blog post, as well as floating at the bottom right of the page. If you test it out let me know what you think! Thanks, as always, for your support!
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