When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing better than gathering with friends and sipping a warm, rich cup of hot chocolate. Hosting a hot chocolate-making party is the perfect way to bring everyone together for a fun and festive winter treat. Kids (and adults!) can mix up their own custom cocoa, complete with delicious toppings like marshmallows, crushed candy canes, and chocolate shavings.

Creative & Tasty Activities

To make the gathering even more special, add a couple of hands-on activities that let guests play with their food—no fancy skills required!

☕ Marshmallow Snowmen: Stack marshmallows to create a mini snowman, then bring it to life with pretzel stick arms, chocolate chip eyes, and an orange candy nose. These little creations are not only fun to make but also melt perfectly into a warm cup of cocoa.

🍫 Chocolate-Dipped Stir Spoons: Dip small spoons into melted dark or white chocolate, let them set, and then decorate with sprinkles or crushed peppermint. These make stirring hot cocoa even more delicious!

The Perfect Hot Chocolate Recipe

A great party starts with great hot chocolate. This version is made with simple, wholesome ingredients like cacao powder, natural sweetener, and dairy-free milk. The result? A rich, creamy, and deeply satisfying drink—similar to French-style drinking chocolate. Because it’s thick and indulgent, we love serving it in small mugs or teacups. If you prefer a lighter texture, simply add more milk.

For an extra-special touch, try topping each cup with homemade coconut whipped cream—a flavorful and fluffy alternative to store-bought versions.

So gather your favorite people, turn on some cozy music, and enjoy an evening of warmth, laughter, and homemade hot chocolate. A simple, sweet way to make winter memories! 

P.S. Want to make the event extra special? Decorate your own mugs so every guest leaves with their very own keepsake!

Thick Hot Chocolate (serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups almond milk
• 6 heaping tablespoons cacao powder
• 4 tablespoons agave
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• pinch of sea salt

Steps:

1. In a small saucepan, bring the milk to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Once the milk is simmering, add the cacao powder, agave, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt. Whisk vigorously to combine the ingredients.
3. Pour the hot chocolate into four teacups or small mugs.

Coconut Whipped Cream (serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 1 can full-fat coconut milk
• 4 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  

Steps:

1. Refrigerate the can of coconut milk overnight or for eight hours. This is an important step to ensure coconut solids rise to the top of the can, which is what you’ll use for the whipped cream.
2. Remove the can from the refrigerator making sure not to shake it. Scoop the coconut solids from the top of the can and place them in a chilled mixing bowl. Reserve the liquid coconut milk for another use.
3. Whip on medium-high until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and vanilla and whip again to combine.
4. Serve immediately with the hot chocolate.

Marshmallow Snowmen

These are an adorable addition to hot chocolate and kids love making them. For smaller children, it’s best to cut the pretzel sticks and orange candies in advance.

Ingredients:

• 10oz package of marshmallows
• 8oz package of pretzel sticks
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup orange candies (We purchased ours from the bulk section of Whole Foods. Candy Corn would also work.)
• Toothpicks

Steps:

1. Use a toothpick to skewer one marshmallow lengthwise so it’s in the center of the toothpick. Place a marshmallow above and below the middle marshmallow so three marshmallows are stacked on top of each other.
2. Cut a pretzel stick in half. Create the snowman’s arms by placing half of the pretzel stick on each side of the middle marshmallow.
3. Create buttons and eyes for the snowman with mini chocolate chips. If it’s difficult to stick the chocolate chips in the marshmallows, first use a toothpick to create shallow holes for the chocolate chips.
4. Cut the orange candies into triangles. Use one of the triangles for the snowman’s nose.

Chocolate-Dipped Stir Spoons

Used as stir sticks, chocolate-dipped spoons can add yummy flavors like peppermint and white chocolate to the cocoa. They are also easy to create—and even more fun to decorate!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup sweetened white chocolate chunks or chips
• Toppings like crushed candy canes and sprinkles

Steps:

1. Use a double-broiler to melt the chocolate until smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate or it will become grainy.
2. Dip a small spoon into the melted chocolate making sure to cover the front and the back of the spoon entirely. Repeat this process for all the spoons.
3. Freeze the spoons for about 10 minutes, or until the chocolates are solid.
4. Decorate the spoons with dark and white chocolate, crushed candy canes, sprinkles, or other candies.