Hot Chocolate Drops
Make Hot Chocolate Drops to keep on hand when you want a warm mug of hot chocolate on a cold day. Make some up for gift-giving to friends and neighbors.
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Keep hot chocolate drops on hand for those chilly days then easily warm some milk and enjoy a tasty treat. While my ultimate hot chocolate is a family favorite, we like these little treats in a cup of hot milk because they are quick to make.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Using chocolate drops for hot chocolate is fun.
- They are much easier to make than hot chocolate bombs.
- It’s a fun activity to make with the kids.
- Customize the flavors by substituting almond extract, hazelnut flavor, or peppermint extract for the vanilla extract.
- They are perfect for cozy days by the fire.
Ingredients
All of the ingredients are readily available and easy to find.
- Heavy Cream
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Milk Chocolate Chips
- Mini Marshmallows
- Sprinkles
Equipment
- Mini Muffin Tins – This recipe makes a lot so you may need multiple mini muffin tins.
- Mini Muffin Liners
- Medium Saucepan
- Rubber Spatula
- Wire Whisk
Find the full instructions in the printable recipe card below.
What can I serve with hot chocolate?
Use these hot chocolate drops to mix up a cup of cocoa to enjoy with my hot chocolate cookies, black forest cookies, or pecan red velvet thumbprint cookies. Your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe or these monster cookies would also be a delicious treat.
Hot chocolate drops are great to have on hand when company comes to visit. You can make a couple of different batches in different flavors to suit everyone’s tastes.
How do you use hot chocolate drops?
Once the chocolate drops are set all you need to do to enjoy a rich and creamy mug of cocoa is to warm 6 to 8 ounces, per serving, of whole milk in a saucepan. If you use more milk, use 2 hot chocolate drops for a creamy hot chocolate flavor.
Do not allow the milk to boil. There should be tiny bubbles around the edges. Once the milk is warm, divide it among mugs and gently add a chocolate drop. For a richer cocoa, add two hot chocolate drops.
How do you serve hot chocolate drops?
It’s a fun addition to a hot chocolate bar at a holiday party. I like to use whole milk, because if you are indulging, why not go all out? These are just as delicious with 2% as well. It’s safe to say that kids will love them.
How do you store chocolate drops for hot chocolate?
This recipe makes quite a few hot chocolate drops. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. If you don’t think you’ll use them all in that time, wrap some up for friends and neighbors.
Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a comment and 5-star review on the recipe card below. If you really love this recipe, please share it on your social media!
Hot Chocolate Drops
Equipment
- Mini Muffin Tins
- Mini Muffin Liners
- Rubber Spatula
- Wire Whisk
- Medium Saucepan
Ingredients
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 can 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 3 cups milk chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Sprinkles
- Mini Marshmallows
Instructions
- Line 36 mini muffin pans with mini liners. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, heat the cream and sweetened condensed milk until steaming. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.
- Return the pan to the stove over low heat and whisk vigorously until the chocolate completely melts and the mixture is thick and shiny. Add a chocolate hazelnut flavoring and whisk to combine. Add 2 tablespoons of chocolate mixture to prepared mini-muffin pans. Top some with mini marshmallows, sprinkles, and leave some plain, if desired.
- Store covered in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. Bring to room temperature before using.
- To use: Warm 8 – 10 ounces of whole milk in a saucepan until steaming but not boiling. Transfer to mug and add one hazelnut hot chocolate drop to mug. Stir until dissolved.
Meet Ellen
Recipe Creator ~ Food Writer ~ Food Photographer
Hi, I’m Ellen and welcome to Family Around the Table where I share recipes the whole family will enjoy. They are also easy to make. With 20 years of experience in food writing and recipe creation, you will surely find something for everyone. Read more by clicking About Ellen below.
Favorite Recipe: Almond Crusted Chicken
Favorite Cookie: White Chocolate Macadamia Nut
Favorite Cocktail: Frozen Strawberry Margarita
Favorite Dessert: Hershey Bar Pie
Read More About Ellen
These sound so fun and perfect for this winter storm that’s coming!
With another foot of snow on the way, these will come in handy!
These look so yummy! I’m saving this to make with my kids.
I’m super excited to try this! I have some of that Lorann flavoring in the pantry that would go great in something like this!
Sounds wonderful! When giving as a gift, how are these best stored? Assuming they need to be refrigerated?
Happy holidays!
They can be refrigerated for about 2 weeks or frozen 1 month. They may start to bloom but will be OK. Bring to room temperature before using otherwise the warm milk will cool too much. Thanks for visiting!
Love hazelnuts and this sounds like an absolute treat. I love how simple and easy this recipe is. My kids would definitely enjoy it very much.
This is so pretty and perfect for Christmas!
Wow, this is such a creative recipe. It is also perfect for this time of year. I have no doubt that everyone would love these and they would make great gifts too. I am going to have to try this recipe!
This sounds so good! Could use a cup of this cozied next to a fire!
I am a huge fan of hot chocolate & call me crazy but drink it year round! I love, love this idea and am excited for all the fun flavors to try!
Love hazelnuts and this sounds like an absolute treat. I love how simple and easy this recipe is. My kids would definitely enjoy it very much.
This is so pretty and perfect for Christmas!
Wow, this is such a creative recipe. It is also perfect for this time of year. I have no doubt that everyone would love these and they would make great gifts too. I am going to have to try this recipe!
This sounds so good! Could use a cup of this cozied next to a fire!
I am a huge fan of hot chocolate & call me crazy but drink it year round! I love, love this idea and am excited for all the fun flavors to try!