Growing up, my mom’s version of a hot cocoa bar was a half open bag of stale marshmallows on the kitchen counter! So this month’s Pinterest challenge, how to create a hot cocoa bar, was unchartered territory for me. It was the motivation I needed to create a Colorado casual hot cocoa bar before the snow ramps up all along the Rockies.
I am so excited to join the Hot Cocoa Bar Pinterest Challenge with these creative and supportive women. We all had such a great time with last month’s challenge.
I am not a huge hot chocolate girl, but my family loves hot chocolate after fresh snow and commutes home after a day of skiing. If you are coming from the Cuter Tudor, welcome to Everyday Edits.
The first thing you need to know about my hot beverage bar was I kind of cheated. Okay, cheated might be a strong word. I did not pay someone to write my post and I did not insert marshmallow images into my take away cups.
Instead, I ordered a hot cocoa bar starter set. Yes, that is a thing! But, when I finally got around to opening the package I was a little disappointed. So in the end I I did not cheat.
Sidenote: Have you seen the marshmallows floating in the hot cocoa in the Hallmark movies. I talked about it here.
Okay, so with no starter set I created a very casual Colorado hot cocoa bar.
Hot Cocoa Bar Inspiration
Now, it is time for all of you to see how one inspirational photo can generate so many ideas. Hopefully, this leaves you with some ideas and help you plan your own hot cocoa bar or create your twist on your favorite warm beverage. And, if you are stopping by from ******, welcome to Everyday Edits.
Our inspiration for the Hot Cocoa Bar challenge came from Pen & Paper Flowers.
When I started my challenge my plan was to do something similar because I had many of the same elements. But, in the end the only things I shared were the candy cane sticks and marshmallows.
Both are prominently displayed n my Colorado hot cocoa bar.
Steps to Create a Hot Cocoa Bar
There are no rules to any beverage bar. I adapted mine to fit my counter space and family.
I began with my tiered tray from my favorite online store. I layered the base of the top level with marshmallows to set the mood. Casual, like grab a few marshmallows at your leisure.
I loved the tray because it contains the ingredients and mugs/take away cups. And, a tiered tray is like a condo development; it is all about the vertical space on a counter! #realtorlife
Keeping with my Colorado casual hot cocoa bar I opted for the Nestle premade hot cocoa packets. I had big plans, but I caved in aisle 9 when I saw how easy it was to toss 2 boxes into my cart.
I found the bulk of my hot cocoa bar goodies at Sprouts and Trader Joe’s.
For the second tier, I added the candy cane sticks, yogurt pretzels and these chocolate dipped marshmallows. My kids and husband will love this twist on marshmallows.
And, finally I switched out my Christmas ceramic mugs for these take away cups. I found them at Costco like two weeks ago back in the paper goods section.
And, with the holidays filled with errands, baking and parties, the family will appreciate the grab & go hot cocoa (and skip the $4.65 in the drive thru window).
This Pinterest challenge is a reminder that we can recreate any Pinterest inspirational ideas to fit our own lives and styles. Please stop by a Heart Filled Home to see Leslea’s take on the hot cocoa bar.
Have a wonderful holiday season.
Please check out the other bloggers and their hot cocoa (or chocolate) bars. This was such a fun challenge!
Love your tiered tray, what a perfect way to set up a Hot Chocolate station.
Laura everything looks so cute and yummy. Love how your used your tiered tray for your station. Happy Thanksgiving.
Your family is going to love using your hot cocoa bar this holiday season. I love your red snowflake cups. Wish there was a Costco in my neck of the woods!
Thank you Paula! I rarely go to Costco and I almost put them back because there were so many!
Great idea to put a hot cocoa bar on a tiered tray and I love that yours is galvanized! I seriously need to find myself a tiered tray. And LOL, you’re like me, I’m fine with instant store bought packets of cocoa. It saves a ton of money. So glad you could join in today! Thank you and hope you have a great Thanksgiving!
HI Cindy! Thank you! Tiered tray is from Decor Steals! My boys got in from Dayton and Minneapolis!
Love your casual hot chocolate bar, Laura… and the paper cups actually look really cute! Great idea! Pinned!
Coscto!
Laura, I love how you caved and went with the instant packages! Seriously, instant hot cocoa is pretty darn easy and pretty darn good, so most of the time…why bother? Love your photography!
Thank you Lora! I love a shortcut!laura
Hi Laura! Yes! I think we all need to fit things into our own lives and styles. If I had to-go cups as cute as yours, I’d use those too! Mine were definitely not cut out for this job. Your cocoa station looks like the perfect chocolate condo, ready for the holidays. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you Crissy! Your comment made me LOL! Happy Thanksgiving! laura
Such a darling display! I love the idea of using a tiered tray. May you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
Laura, those cups are super cute. Love tour tiered tray. Definitely the way to conserve space. Can’t have hot chocolate without marshmallows ~ peppermint sticks help too. Very nice job.
Laura, I fully admit it… I went for the regular old hot chocolate packages, too! They taste good and they work. 😉 Love how you’ve put together your tiered trays with the cups of snacks and the colored marshmallows!! Funny, after shooting my pics, I found I DID have better hot cocoa in another cupboard, lol!
Sorry I am so late getting over… I was sick with strep throat early in the week and then our daughter came for Thanksgiving, plus Christmas shopping, etc. But I am here and hopefully the pins will hit the European crowd this late in the evening. ;D
Happy belated Thanksgiving to you and I hope your Christmas season is wonderful, too!
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
The hot chocolate packets are perfect! I probably need to move that way since my kids aren’t home as much being in college. So beautiful!!!
HI Christy! Mine are in college too! Thank you!