This week is Valentine’s Day, and one of the absolute best things about the holiday is all the chocolate! Whether you’re sharing a heart-shaped box of chocolates or going for the five pound chocolate bar, chocolate gifts are truly one of the sweetest gifts to give.
If you’d rather go the homemade gift route- or you just want to make something delicious for yourself- hot cocoa bombs are a great way to share your love! Not only are they sweet and tasty but they offer a unique experience that encourages your loved ones {including yourself!} to slow down a minute and enjoy the simple things.
There are so many delicious kinds of Hot Cocoa Bombs to enjoy {check out some other recipes for them I’ve shared at the bottom- and Tea Bombs, too!} but for Valentine’s Day, I had to go with the Peanut Butter Cup Hot Cocoa Bombs recipe.
My husband absolutely love peanut butter cups, way more than any other candy out there- so it seemed like the most Valentine’s Day inspired hot cocoa bombs- at least in our house. Be sure to check out my other hot cocoa bomb recipes if your loved ones prefer other flavors!
Can I use other chocolate chips or melting chocolates?
This recipe as shared calls for Dark Chocolate Chips but you might prefer Milk Chocolate Chips, Semisweet Chocolate Chips, or even White Chocolate Chips instead.
The reason this recipe uses Dark Chocolate is mostly to offset a bit of the sweetness- between the marshmallows, the hot cocoa mix, the peanut butter drizzle and the peanut butter cups- it’s a LOT. But any other chocolate chips would work fine and allows you to try lots of different flavor combos! {Personally, I’m Team Milk Chocolate most of the time so I totally get it.}
Now, if you’re trying to use something aside from chocolate chips- your experience may begin to differ at that point. Melting candies would be awesome for creating the molds, but are more likely to stay kind of clumpy after melting away in the hot cocoa. I have used high quality melting candies {Wilton} in the past with success, so I think as long as you stick to those you’ll be okay.
I do not recommend using Almond Bark to make these, the texture and cooking methods just don’t really suit these.
Can you make a lot of hot cocoa bombs and store them?
One of the best things about making your own hot cocoa bombs vs. buying them in stores is that they’re so much more cost-efficient to make! Buying all the ingredients allows you to make a whole lot of them for not very much money. That said, I don’t know many people going through 20 hot cocoa bombs in a weekend.
If you want to make a large batch, my one bit of advice would be to use dehydrated marshmallows instead of fresh mini marshmallows. Dehydrated marshmallows tend to last longer.
I still wouldn’t let these sit around for more than a month or two- and make sure to store them in an air-tight container, like a mason jar or a zip-top bag.
Can the Kids Help?
Kids can ALWAYS help in the kitchen! For this recipe, I’d suggest letting them help with:
- Stirring the chocolate
- Putting the mix, peanut butter chips and marshmallows in
- Drizzling the peanut butter {depending on age & skill}
I’d also suggest that you help a little extra with the melted chocolate since it can be pretty hot, and of course chopping the peanut butter cups {depending on age}.
Step by Step Photos of How to Make Hot Cocoa Bombs
Since hot cocoa bombs can seem intimidating if you haven’t made them before {they’re easy though, promise!}, below are step by step photos to help guide you!
What Supplies Do You Need to Make Peanut Butter Cup Hot Cocoa Bombs?
To make these peanut butter cup hot chocolate bombs, you’ll need:
{These links are affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission on your purchase at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!}
- Round Silicone Mold
- Microwave Safe Bowl
- Spoon or spatula to stir {Silicone spatulaswork best}
- Mini Marshmallows{these dehydrated ones are perfect or you can use regular ones like I did}
- Piping bags{optional; for drizzling peanut butter on top}
Hungry for More?
Want more delicious Hot Cocoa recipes? Try these:
- Homemade Mocha Coffee Bombs
- Homemade Hot Cocoa Bombs
- Whipped Hot Cocoa
- Homemade Mint Chocolate Cocoa Bombs
- Homemade Tea Bombs
- Whipped Hot Cocoa
Peanut Butter Cup Hot Cocoa Bombs
Yield: 6
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Additional Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
These Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa Bombs are a delicious way to slow down and enjoy the simple things! Make ahead so you can make them whenever you want or even give them as homemade gifts.
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce package dark chocolate chips
- 1 packet instant cocoa mix
- 1 cup peanut butter chips
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup mini peanut butter cups, chopped
- 6 cups hot milk to make the bombs
Instructions
Place the dark chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate chips are fully melted.
Put a spoonful of melted chocolate inside one cup on the silicone mold and use the back of the spoon to spread the chocolate up the sides of the mold. Continue this process until all the molds are coated.
Set the remaining chocolate aside for sealing and decorating the bombs.
Allow the chocolate to set completely, around 2 to 3 hours. You can speed up the process by placing the chocolate in the refrigerator.
When the chocolate is set, remove each of the chocolate pieces from the mold. Add a small amount of instant hot cocoa mix to half the pieces and top the hot cocoa mix with a small amount of peanut butter chips and mini marshmallows.
Reheat the chocolate in 15 second intervals until melted. Pick up an empty chocolate piece and dip the edges into the melted chocolate. Carefully place it on top of a filled piece and lightly press it into place. Use your finger to smooth melted chocolate around the seam. Continue until all the chocolate bombs are sealed.
Melt the remaining peanut butter chips. Drizzle the chocolate and melted peanut butter over the top of the bombs and decorate with chopped peanut butter cups.
Allow the chocolate decorations to set before using, around 1 hour.
To make the hot chocolate bombs, place the bomb in the bottom of a mug. Pour one cup of hot milk over the top of the bomb to melt the chocolate. When the chocolate is completely melted, stir to combine.
