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Create Your Own Gourmet Hot Cocoa Mix

Posted By RCI, Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Updated: Friday, January 20, 2023

 

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!

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Tags:  Flavors  Hot Chocolate  Hot Cocoa  Packaging 

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Hot Chocolate Bombs: The Best Thing Since Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Posted By RCI, Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Updated: Thursday, January 21, 2021

 

Although this is not a new concept, interest in "hot chocolate bombs" has skyrocketed since the beginning of October—in fact, it is now considered a breakout trend according to Google Trends. In case you’re wondering what this means, if Google Trends identifies a topic as “breakout” it means there has been a tremendous increase in searches using a specific topic or keyword.  Watch this viral social media video demonstrating a hot chocolate bomb from Wisconsin-based bakery, Sweets by Jen.

Elevate your hot chocolate experience with this season’s breakout trend, hot chocolate bombs. Essentially a chocolate sphere, when placed in a mug and drenched with warm milk, the hot chocolate bomb melts away to reveal hot cocoa mix and other sweet treats inside, like mini marshmallows.

Sweet Tip:  We believe the marshmallows are the key ingredient to create an almost magical effect. As the chocolate sphere melts and opens up, the marshmallows pop out and rise to the top of the hot chocolate.

How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs
Take a sphere mould and make a hollow chocolate shell. Once the chocolate shell has set, it’s time to fill it. A popular option is to fill the shell mould with generous portions of hot cocoa mix and mini marshmallows. Other ideas may include crushed peppermints, chocolate chips, toffee bits, mint chocolate pieces or even holiday sprinkles. Seal the two pieces of the mould together and decorate with a drizzle of dark chocolate or white chocolate swirls, topped with more sprinkles, crushed peppermints or whatever your heart desires.

 

RCI member tip: Vande Walle’s Candies uses a golf ball mould and rolls the finished product in white chocolate.

 

Don’t Have A Sphere Chocolate Mould? Don't Sweat!

 

 

If you don’t have a sphere mould consider using a round truffle mould and filling it with hot chocolate mix and a mini marshmallow or two. Since they’re smaller than the typical hot chocolate bombs, package multiples together and instruct users to use two or three "truffles" to make one cup of hot chocolate. You may not get the same effect as the large spheres pop open, but you’ll have the benefit of being able to use your existing truffle packaging.

 

 

RCI member, Bruce’s Candy Kitchen put a witchy spin on this concept by dropping a mini marshmallow cluster into a mini muffin tin and topping it with Sixlets® candies and sprinkles to represent bubbling witch’s brew. After the mixture sets up, they insert the cluster into a plastic cauldron. These frighteningly cute cauldrons are sold as part of their Halloween Hot Chocolate Kits, complete with hot chocolate mix, extra sprinkles, candy corn and a chocolate-covered Oreo®.

 

 
RCI member, Nothing But Chocolate  fills a large hollow pumpkin mould with pumpkin spice hot chocolate mix for two or more servings. Consumers are directed to heat milk on the stovetop and drop the entire pumpkin into the simmering milk. For Christmas, Nothing But Chocolate uses an ornament mould to replicate the concept. 

 

How to Package Hot Chocolate Bombs
As with any confection, your packaging can really set the tone of the presentation. For shoppers who aren’t familiar with hot chocolate bombs (yet ), we recommend utilizing packaging that allows shoppers to see the product, as well as instructions on how to use it.

Cello Bag with Ribbon
A clear cello bag is a classic and simple packaging solution, tie it with a colorful ribbon and cute name tag with instructions to create a festive and eye-catching look.

 


 

 

Acetate Tube
This clear acetate tube creates a sleek and modern look that would fit nicely in a Christmas stocking. Packaged as a set of three, it allows you to upsell the product and offer a “variety pack” with three different flavors.

 

 

Acetate Cube
This chocolatier uses a clear acetate cube to package their hot chocolate bomb. A metallic gold sticker describes the product as “exploding with mini marshmallows and chocolate hearts.”

 

Colorful Foil
If you want to highlight a variety of flavors and fillings, consider wrapping your hot chocolate bombs in colorful foil. Not only does this make for a colorful and festive look, it is easy and encourages consumers to try different flavors.

 

 

Short on time or staff? Wholesale Hot Chocolate Bombs!
While we are loving this fun holiday trend, we understand that COVID-19 has presented many candy makers with restrictions that make it challenging to develop a trendy, new product for the busy holiday season.

If you love the idea of selling hot chocolate bombs, but you don’t love the idea of making them yourself, consider wholesaling “Hot Chocolate Balls” from RCI member ChocolatesU. More like a solid hot chocolate truffle, instead of a hollow chocolate shell, their Hot Chocolate Balls are made with "the best quality couverture chocolate, cocoa powder and honey," delivering a rich, more chocolatey cup of hot chocolate. Hot Chocolate Balls are available in six flavors, as well as several limited-edition flavors for the holiday season. Click here to learn more.

Cheers to hot chocolate season! We hope this has inspired you to create your own sweet version of hot chocolate bombs and meet the growing demand for this trendy product.

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.  Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Tags:  Christmas  Halloween  Holidays  Hot Chocolate  Hot Cocoa  Marshmallows  Packaging  Trends  Wholesale 

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