Hot chocolate was one of my favorite treats as a kid. I loved that I could easily make it myself, and it made me feel like I fit in with the adults sipping their coffees.
As an adult, sipping on a cup of hot chocolate is like being wrapped in your favorite blanket. Cozy and comforting.
Whether you’re having a holiday party, relaxing on the couch with a good book, or outside by a big bonfire, a cup of hot chocolate makes every moment sweeter.
But hot cocoa simply isn’t complete without a little whipped cream and mini marshmallows on top. Now we’re talking! And if we’re going to do it right, why not pair it up with a tasty treat to seal the deal?
If you’re wondering what foods pair best with hot chocolate – sweet and salty sides usually do the trick. But tangy fruits like oranges, tangerines, and strawberries can also create a delicious contrast.
But to make it official, here’s a list of the best desserts to serve alongside a big cup of hot chocolate. From cookies to fun toppings, here are 12 tasty treats that are sure to satisfy.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
For me, chocolate chip cookies are a welcome treat any time of the day, regardless of what else we’re eating. They’re perfect for dunking, whether that’s into a big glass of milk, or a delightfully creamy mug of hot cocoa.
Whoopie Pies
Creamy and chocolatey, a whoopie pie is basically a cup of hot chocolate as a cookie. With these tasty little treats you can chew your hot chocolate and sip it at the same time. Because let’s be honest, you can never have too much chocolate.
Plus whoopie pies have that delectably soft, fluffy, and chewy texture that is just so hard to resist.
Kettle Corn Snack Mix
Want a little bit of salty with your sweet? Kettle corn offers a bit of both. Make it a snack mix and you’ll get the salty, a little sweet, plus the ideal amount of crunch to contrast your creamy beverage.
Include other snacks in the mix such as pretzel sticks, cold cereal (I like to use Life), and dried fruit for a little tanginess.
Cheesecake Bites
Cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts. It’s so indulgent, and the creamy texture and unique flavor is totally irresistible. Sometimes too irresistible! Which is why cheesecake bites are a great idea.
A perfectly poppable bite of cheesecake still offers the rich flavors that you love so much, and you can go back for more without feeling quite so guilty.
For a holiday party, pair hot chocolate with red velvet coated cheesecake bites to be extra festive!
Peanut Butter Lasagna
Peanut butter lasagna is peanut butter overload in the best way possible. It’s a combination of vanilla pudding and cream, layered with Nutter Butters, melted peanut butter, king size Butterfingers, and chocolate chips.
This dessert is for when you’re feeling extra decadent, especially when combined with hot chocolate. This combo will be extra rich, but the salty, nutty flavors will be a good balance to all the chocolate.
Chocolate Fudge
As I said, you can never have too much chocolate. If you’re making hot cocoa during the winter months, you might already be whipping up some fudge anyway!
I like to think of it as hot chocolate two ways. Plus chocolate fudge is an easy and totally foolproof recipe for those of us that aren’t expert bakers.
Churros
Creamy, gooey goodness inside, with that oh so crunchy, crispy, cinnamony shell? Can’t get much better than a churro.
And they are absolutely divine when dipped into a rich, uber-chocolatey cup of cocoa. Cinnamon and chocolate is a classic but lesser-used combination, and it’s just to die for.
Both flavors are strong and luxurious, but they balance each other perfectly.
Rolled Wafers
I’m talking Piroulines. Those lovely, thin, tube-like wafer cookies are filled with mouthwatering chocolate hazelnut spread. I love their flaky, crunchy outside and creamy, nutty inside.
Not only are these tasty to eat, they’re also great for dipping in your cocoa and fun to use as straws. The flavor combo is just so seductive, how can you say no?
Donuts
Just as you would combine a donut with your morning cup of Joe, why not combine donuts with hot chocolate?
One of America’s favorite treats and ideal for dunking. There are so many flavors you can choose from and you can always go for donut holes if you need just a nibble of dessert. You simply can’t go wrong with donuts.
Things to Put In Your Cocoa
We all know marshmallows go fabulously well in a hot cup of chocolate. Whether you go for mini or jumbo, marshmallows are the quintessential hot chocolate topping. I just love how they melt and get all gooey.
But there are a few other things that go just as well in your hot chocolate that you may not have thought of before.
Candy Canes
Candy canes are always around in abundance during the holidays and they make for a fun way to add some peppermint into your hot chocolate. Simply use them as a stirring stick and the flavor will slowly melt into your cup.
For extra peppermint flavor and a bit of a buzz, the adults can add in a shot of Peppermint Schnapps as well.
Maple Syrup
You probably never thought to add even more sugar to your already sweet hot chocolate, but adding in a little bit of maple syrup gives your cocoa a Canadian twist. Maple syrup adds a little extra depth of flavor, and just makes you feel extra cozy inside and out.
Chili Pepper
Did you know that hot chocolate actually originated with the Mayans? To be true to their recipe, add in some chili pepper for Mexican hot chocolate. Just a little bit adds a fun, spicy edge that flawlessly balances out the rich chocolate and cream flavors.
Go ahead and try it, I promise you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
12 Tasty Treats That Pair Perfectly With Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Whoopie Pies
Kettle Corn Snack Mix
Cheesecake Bites
Peanut Butter Lasagna
Chocolate Fudge
Churros
Rolled Wafers
Donuts
Candy Canes
Maple Syrup
Chili Pepper
Instructions
- Select a treat that pairs perfectly with hot chocolate
- Enjoy!
