Warm Up Your Next Party with a Hot Cocoa Bar

rreditor — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:40:27 +0000

We are in the midst of the Snowpocalypse here in the DC area. At our house we have at least 30 inches of snow outside. We’ve already shoveled the driveway three times and will certainly be out there again before all of this is over. It’s good exercise, I guess. But let’s be honest, shoveling is not fun!

What will make this all better, I ask myself? Hot chocolate will help. Better still? A hot chocolate bar!

Hot chocolate bars — where you can make your own custom hot cocoa with a variety of “fixings” — are becoming very popular. They are great on a snowy day at home, but even more fun at a party. Guests love the interactivity and the ability to create their favorite cooca concoction. Try it at a winter engagement party, a SuperBowl bash, or a birthday party.

Set out some mugs.

These celebrity-designed mugs are not only whimsical, but they also help raise money for Whatever it Takes, a charity to raise money to combat the most pressing issues of the 21st century.

Celebrity-designed mugs available at Neiman Marcus

Pillivuyt has such classic tableware. These extra large mugs are no exception — and would leave plenty of room for making the perfect cocoa creation.

Pillivuyt Eden extra large mug, available at Geary's

Make a few batches of hot chocolate.

A batch of regular hot cocoa for the base is a great place to start. This recipe for Creamy Hot Chocolate from Epicurious would be perfect. I’d recommend offering a couple of other bases, as well, like white hot chocolate or peppermint hot chocolate.

Provide some add-ins — offer both liquid and dry.

Dry:

Crumbled peppermint sticks
Marshmallows
Chocolate-covered marshmallows (like these from Bissinger’s)
Cinnamon sugar
Orange twists or peel
Chopped up candy bar
Chocolate chips
Caramels

Liquid:

Espresso shots
coffee
Flavored syrups (like Monin’s organic syrups)
Peppermint extract
Vanilla extract

or for the adults…

Kahlua
Bailey’s
Creme de Mint
Grand Marnier
Peppermint Schnapps

To top it off:

Whipped cream
cinnamon
cocoa powder

Set out some stirrers.

candy canes or peppermint sticks
cinnamon sticks
artisan stirrers (like this tempting one from Knipschildt — white chocolate with butterscotch and whiskey)

Enjoy!!

Valentine’s Day Sweets

rreditor — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:41:15 +0000

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Going to a Valentine’s Day party? Hosting one? Need a sweet gift for a special someone? Try some of these on for size…

Chocolate and salt are such a beautifully delicious combination. Add some caramel and walnuts and you have one amazing “turtle” chocolate.

Caramel clusters from John Kelly Chocolates

Remember pop rocks? The fizzy candy you used to eat as a kid? Introducing a very grown up version from Francois Payard: pop rock truffles.

Pop rock truffles from Francois Payard

A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E. That’s all I can say about these cinnamon marshmallows from Whimsy & Spice.

heart-shaped cinnamon marshmallows

My personal favorite? Chocolate-covered strawberries – a classic that never goes out of style! Add a glass of champagne and …. YUM!