Hot Chocolate Bar ideas

This post was created in partnership with Keurig Green Mountain®. All opinions, images, and ideas are my own.

I saw this funny meme the other day describing Arizona’s current warmer temperatures as being “feeling slight discomfort during the morning hours.” Although that’s accurate, there really is a crisp chill during the early morning rush of kids finding homework and socks while making breakfast for everyone, and having a Keurig® brewer hang out on our counter this part of the year is a total must for us desert dwellers.

It’s nice to touch the ON button of my Keurig® K55 brewer when I get up before everyone and let it warm up while my family chooses which Swiss Miss® K-Cup® pod they will enjoy that morning then take turns loading it and touching the button to release fresh hot chocolate to sip on while they eat.

It’s a total lifesaver that my 6th grader can tell me to use “his box” of Swiss Miss® Peppermint Hot Cocoa K-Cup® pods, and I can simply open the Keurig® brewer to put it in, select his size, then touch the start button. So easy to use!

In honor of National Hot Cocoa Day today, I thought it would be extra special to treat my little family to a surprise hot chocolate bar. Besides my Keurig® K55 brewer and Swiss Miss® K-Cup® pods, I paired it with a few toppings and sweets inside containers I had around the house. It was fun to change up my letter board with a hot cocoa theme that says, “Have a cup of cheer! Hot Chocolate 5 cents.” But you guys, I have yet to be paid by my kiddos for even one cup! 😉

Besides the various toppings like marshmallows, chocolate covered stir sticks, crushed peppermint sticks, chocolate, and whipped cream, I had my Keurig® carousel filled with my family’s favorite K-Cup® pods, Swiss Miss® hot cocoa. It is a simple and delicious chocolaty treat to share.

Here are our family’s top 3 favorites:

• Swiss Miss® Sensible Sweets Light™ Hot Cocoa – The great taste of Swiss Miss® hot cocoa with less calories and sugar
• Swiss Miss® Peppermint Hot Cocoa – A cool blend of peppermint flavor and creamy chocolate; a limited-time seasonal selection
• Swiss Miss® Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa – The original family tradition made with care

My 6th grader discovered that if he touches the button on our Keurig that lets out less water, it is more flavorful, so now he claims that as “his” button. Too cute he can customize the flavor of the same Hot Cocoa I drink! I like the middle button, not too thin and not too thick, but just right for me.

Kelli’s husband used to live in Ecuador and grew to love the hot beverage yerba mate… I love the variety of the K-Cup® pods as he found mate here in the states and now that boy is in heaven! LOL

Besides cake stands, plates, and mugs, a 3-tier stand filled with simple mason jars is a great way to add height for a hot chocolate bar. Fill those jars up with candy canes, peppermint sticks, chocolate stirring spoons, extra mugs, decorative napkins, festive cookies or cupcakes, and chocolate sauce in squeezeable jars. 

Visit our other hot cocoa bar set up,

plus all the hot cocoa recipes we’ve gathered for you, mm!