People were drinking chocolate as early as 500 BC. Granted the chocolate in their cups was far different from the hot chocolate we are familiar with now. Today’s version is much sweeter and typically includes milk. Since the introduction of hot cocoa bombs, the popularity of this classic hot beverage has, well, exploded! Pun intended.

We’re not telling you to jump on the hot cocoa bomb band wagon (although that has proven to be a successful product for many candy makers), but if you aren't currently offering hot cocoa mix to consumers, you could be missing out on a sweet sales opportunity. This week, we’re sharing tips for creating your own brand of gourmet hot cocoa mix (including packaging ideas) and a few creative flavors which could be applied to your packaged hot cocoa mix or inside hot cocoa bombs.

Creating Your Own Hot Cocoa Mix
To start, consider crafting a hot cocoa blend that mirrors or complements the flavor notes of the chocolate used in your signature chocolate products. Naturally, your customers will expect a  familiar chocolate flavor experience they likely have become accustom to with your chocolate confections. Contact your chocolate supplier to source a cocoa powder that is similar to your chocolate and ask for recommendations. Some chocolate suppliers have their own variety of sweetened cocoa powder for hot chocolate, but if not, you will have to add sugar (keep reading for more details). Don’t fret if you aren’t able to match it exactly, you might consider adding chocolate shavings to your mix to achieve a closer flavor profile.  If you do add chocolate shavings, make sure to note this on your packaging and in your product description as it will be seen as added value by consumers.

To make your own gourmet hot cocoa mix, all you need is the unsweetened cocoa powder of your choice, a lot of sugar and a little salt. Experiment to find your perfect blend, but we recommend starting with 1 cup of granulated sugar to every ½ to ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, plus ½ teaspoon of salt.

Some recipes call for the addition of powdered milk; however, consider how this may exclude those with dairy allergies and sensitivities. If you do leave out milk powder, direct customers to only use your hot cocoa mix with milk or their favorite dairy alternative (not water) or they will not achieve the desired results (water + chocolate = never a good mix). This will also ensure their cup of hot cocoa from you, tastes at least 10 times better than most hot cocoa mixes on the market.

 

 

Packaging Hot Cocoa Mix
Anyone familiar with hot cocoa mix from the grocery store is used to the individual portions in an aluminum foil packet. Premium or creative packaging can help sell your gourmet product for you. No matter how you package it, do so it a way that communicates the quality of your product.

Resealable Bags
Resealable bags with a label allow hot cocoa lovers to make as much or as little hot cocoa as they’d like and seal it for freshness.

Tins
Tins are a classic vessel for packaging hot cocoa and certainly convey a high-end look and feel.

Glass Jars
Glass jars play communicate a sense of craftsmanship with the added benefit of allowing the consumer to see the contents. This is an especially great option for mixes with inclusions like chocolate shavings or chunks, marshmallows and etc.

Creative Containers
Let your creativity lead the way with all the fun packaging options out there! We like how RCI Member Kakao Chocolate of Maplewood, MO uses Chinese food takeout containers to package their hot cocoa mix. Each box is tied with a colored ribbon designating the variety of hot cocoa mix enclosed. See pictured above.

Hot Cocoa Flavor Ideas
It’s hard to beat the original, but if you’re looking to pump up the flavor in your packaged hot cocoa mix or inside your hot cocoa bombs, here’s some ideas.

Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa
Simply add chocolate shavings or chocolate chips to transform your original hot cocoa to double chocolate.

Peppermint Hot Cocoa
Take this classic flavor to the next level by adding crushed peppermints and pairing it with a couple mint meltaways or patties either in the package or packaged separately.

Peanut Butter Cup Hot Cocoa
Appeal to peanut butter lovers by adding peanut butter chips or shavings of peanut butter confectioners coating to your hot cocoa mix for a crunchy, melty surprise.

Chai Spice Hot Cocoa
Sipping a cup of hot cocoa mixed with chai spices is as cozy as wrapping yourself in a warm and fuzzy blanket.  Check out this recipe.

 

 

Marshmallow Hot Cocoa
If you make your own marshmallow, this is a great opportunity to add value to your product. We like how RCI Member Graham’s Fine Chocolates gives online shoppers the option to buy their hot cocoa tin and homemade marshmallows together or separately—so if you want to add an extra bag of homemade marshmallows you can.

Creating your own gourmet hot cocoa mix is a great add because it’s super easy to make and ship (it doesn’t melt—hey-oh!), it makes for a great gift and, well, it’s hot cocoa! Cheers to hot cocoa season! Tag us on Facebook @retailconfectioners and share a photo of your gourmet hot cocoa!

Crave more?C lick here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices.  Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business .

 

 

 

Celebrate National Fudge Day on June 16 by rolling out new, limited-time summer fudge flavors! Seasonal fudge flavors will keep your product offering relevant and interesting year around. Blue skies are the limit, but here’s some inspiration to get your ideas flowing for summer.

 

Photo credit: Pillsbury

 

Piňa Colada Fudge

Regardless of your actual location, this fudge is sure to send you to a tropical state of mind in an instant. This recipe is packed with dried pineapple, coconut, rum extract and chopped macadamia nuts for added crunch.

 

Credit: Granny’s in the Kitchen

 

Pineapple Upside Down Fudge

Transform this classic summer favorite into your new favorite summer fudge flavor! This recipe incorporates yellow cake mix to give it a unique texture—almost like a dense cake.

 

Credit: Shugary Sweets

 

Pink Lemonade Fudge

Who could resist their favorite summer beverage in fudge form? Refreshing lemon, plus a splash of berry flavor and so pretty in pink! If you’re looking for the quintessential summer flavor, here you have it! This recipe uses pink lemonade mix for flavor—we recommend embellishing each slice with a candy lemon wedge for irresistible cuteness!

 

Credit: How to Make Easy Fudge

 

Pool Party Fudge

If "Pool Party Fudge" doesn’t get you in the mood for summer fun, we don’t know what will! We especially love how this recipe incorporates Teddy Grahams^® on a little "floaty" to really drive home the visual.

 

Credit: Bakerita

 

S’mores Fudge

Another summer classic that will leave customers wanting s’more and s’more! This recipe calls for loads of mini marshmallows which can be toasted with a handheld torch or under the broiler in your oven.

We hope this post gives you plenty of inspiration—and, remember to take pictures of your summer products and share them on social media to help spread the word. Cheers to summer and the summer flavors we love!

Crave more? If you like what you read here, look for the "Subscribe now" box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Although these crispy and chewy fried pastries, often topped with cinnamon and sugar, aren’t a new development, they are expected to “dominate 2020’s dessert scene,” according to Webstaurant Store’s food trends report earlier this year.

 

 

Compartes Churros & Horchata white chocolate bar, Smash Mallow
cinnamon churro marshmallows, and Candy Club churro bites

Commonly characterized by a very generous coating of cinnamon sugar, you can transform just about any of your favorite confections into a churro-inspired treat. Tip: Add the extra element of crunch by incorporating Cinnamon Toast Crunch^TM Churros cereal.

 

Churro Toffee

 

Abdallah Candies envelopes their buttery toffee in white chocolate before coating it in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. It’s almost too pretty to eat, but we wouldn’t let that stop us!

 

 

Churro Popcorn

White-chocolate covered popcorn sprinkled with the churro’s signature cinnamon sugar combo, may be just what you need to recreate the crispy, chewy texture that the churro is known for. For extra cinnamon flavor, this recipe coats popcorn in melted cinnamon chips.

 

 

 

Churro Truffles

Nothing quite beats rolling all the goodness that makes a churro into a decadent truffle. Check out this recipe for churro truffles from Peter’s Chocolate.

Here’s just a few ideas to put your own spin on churros as part of your confectionery line-up, but don’t stop here! Imagine how you could transform your signature caramel recipe or scratch-made marshmallows to capture the flavors and textures of the churro? Tell us all about your ideas in the comments below.

Crave more? If you like what you read here, look for the "Subscribe now" box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's Tip of the Week blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Simplegirlathome.blogspot.com

Jessfuel.com

Sharedappetite.com

Photo by Marty Woodcock

Epicurious.com

Marie's Candies

Vosges Haut-Chocolatcovers marshmallows in burnt sugar caramel with blood oranges and hibiscus flavors, chocolate and tops it with black salt.

L.A. Creamery’s The Manhattantakes its cues from the classic cocktail with Rittenhouse Rye, brown butter toffee and bing cherries.

Try the classic pairing of crystallized ginger dipped in dark chocolate or more adventurous pairings incorporated inDivineChocolate’sLemon Infused Ginger Turtles (top)or Coconut Ginger Popcorn Truffles fromYoderPopcornClick here to view the recipe from Yoder Popcorn.