Hot Chocolate Station

I have set up a small hot chocolate station in my own kitchen, but when I saw this elaborate set-up at one of the houses I toured during the Concord Museum Holiday House Tour, I just had to share. To pull this off, you'll need a good deal of counter space, however you can take a few bits and pieces of ideas to use in your own home. And, you can gift someone their very own hot chocolate bar.

Start with your very own sign or menu, or just use a cute decoration like the snowman you see under the cloche. Set out mugs, a few pitchers—one for spoons, straws, cinnamon sticks, or candy canes. Of course you'll need some hot chocolate and plenty of marshmallows. Bottles of toppings like a shaker of cinnamon or cocoa powder are also a good idea. Stagger the heights of each item and use a variety of materials like glass, silver, and china to keep things interesting. Then go ahead and add some greens, berry branches, or even a few ornaments in and around the display.

Now the gift idea... Choose a large container that can serve as both packaging and as part of the gift itself like this large glass cookie jar from Target. Fill it up with packages of candy canes, hot chocolate mix (we like Silly Cow Farms), a bag of mini marshmallows, some old-fashioned straws, and fun containers of toppings like jimmies, candy dots...lots of things you might use to decorate a cake. OR, keep it simple and fill a pretty box with two mugs, some hot chocolate mix, a bag of mini marshmallows, and a DVD of their favorite holiday movie. (Kids would enjoy their own version with a copy of The Polar Express.)

Wrap them both up with a beautiful ribbon and some jingle bells.

Hot Chocolate Mix

2 cups instant non-fat dry milk powder

1 cup powered sugar

3/4 cup powdered non-dairy creamer

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the creamer, milk powder, sugar, salt, and cocoa powder.
2. Pour into air tight container or freezer bag for storage.
3. Add 1/3 cup of cocoa mix to 1 cup boiling water or to a 1/2 hot milk, which I prefer. 
4. Mix well.
5. Add chocolate chips and stir until melted. You may add more if you wish.

Optional: Top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream.

More recipes...

Hot chocolate on a stick // Crockpot hot chocolate // Italian hot chocolate // Truffle hot chocolate