I Made This ‘Exploding Cocoa’ Once and I’ll Never Go Back to the Boxed Kind

This decadent chocolate drink is satisfying to make and impressive as a gift.

Hot chocolate bombs are an impressive and fun DIY gift that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Joe Lingeman/TNS

Now that winter has arrived, it’s nearly impossible to open Instagram or TikTok without being greeted by an exploding hot chocolate bomb. The tasty trend is popular for a reason: When these chocolate spheres are dropped into warm milk, they crack open in the most mesmerizing way, releasing a flurry of hot cocoa mix and marshmallows and creating a decadent cup of hot cocoa.

Hot chocolate bombs are the perfect project for holiday gift-giving, Valentine’s treats, and snow days home with the kids. Follow our step-by-step guide for tempering chocolate to make these gorgeous hot cocoa bombs at home. The best part—you don’t even need a mold (unless you really want one). Here’s everything you need to know.

What Are Hot Chocolate Bombs?

Hot chocolate bombs—also called hot cocoa bombs—are spheres of tempered chocolate filled with hot cocoa mix, mini marshmallows, and sometimes sprinkles. When added to hot milk, the chocolate spheres melt, releasing the cocoa mix and creating a tasty cup of hot chocolate.