Hot Cocoa Bombs

Sara ElSayed

At a time where snow is piling up, and we’re forced outside into the cold to scrape ice off of car windows, we often find ourselves craving a steaming cup upon our return to our warmed homes. A hot cup of cocoa, perhaps topped with marshmallows is a delightful treat during these cold months, especially after shoveling the driveway. But what if we made the creation of this drink a little more interesting? Between work, school, and chores, we often find that we have a lot of free time. Fear not, for quarantine has produced yet another delicious treat.

Hot cocoa bombs originally started in 2019, with the early outbreak of Covid-19. Eric Torres Garcia created the first cocoa bomb in Boise, Idaho, and posted it on TikTok, where the trend spread like wildfire. After seeing countless videos of people making this drink-oriented treat, and even inventing a new variation dubbed the “tea bomb” that consists of hardened sugar and loose leaf tea, it seemed a crime for me to not try out this chocolaty treat.

You start making the bombs by melting a bowl of chocolate (don’t let get over # of degrees). Once melted, use a food-safe paintbrush to paint the melted chocolate on the half-circle molds. Place the painted molds in the fridge, and wait about five minutes between each layer. Although the recipe I used said only two layers, I found that three layers eliminated more thin spots, and gave the bomb more structure. After the half circles are peeled from their molds, the hot cocoa ingredients are poured in. First your hot cocoa mixture, then whatever else you want in your drink, whether it be marshmallows, sprinkles, candy cane bits, or even crushed Oreos. After you’re satisfied with the fillings, add melted chocolate to the edges of the mold, and use an empty half-circle of chocolate to close your beautiful concoction. Wait for it to set, and you’re ready to go!

The making of these bombs was pretty easy. Due to the sheer amount I was making that day (enough for my family and my cousin’s family and my grandmother), I ended up recruiting my siblings and cousins to tackle this task, which made the activity that much more enjoyable. Once the chocolate is melted, it’s important to keep an eye on it, so you know when it needs to be reheated, and by how much. Other than that, this recipe is very straightforward and pretty easy to make.