Winter Hot Chocolate Bar | holiday entertaining

Winter Hot Chocolate Bar – Holiday Entertaining | This shop is #sponsored by #CollectiveBias and its advertiser. The story and opinions read here are entirely my own ~ #BigLots #BIGSeason

Although winter is still a couple weeks away, that gentle chill in the air
has already begun to turn a bit bitter. 

The fall and winter months are a natural match for everything warm, comforting, and cozy. 

Whether we are enjoying the festive outdoor activities of the season, or welcoming guests coming in from the cold, a Hot Chocolate Bar has become an essential part of all our holiday entertaining affairs.

I’m a huge fan of self-serve party bars, especially this time of the year. Once the prep work is done, the tables practically run maintenance free – leaving the host more time to mingle and enjoy the festivities.

Plus, our guests have always loved the idea of being able to mix up their own custom concoctions.

All of the details for this Winter Hot Chocolate Bar can be found below,
along with two fabulous caramel popcorn recipes.

There are also some free printables at the bottom of the post
to help you get started on creating your own Hot Chocolate Bar for the upcoming season.

Glass jars and containers are some of my favorite things to have on hand for entertaining displays. I picked up these little chalkboard label glass jars to hold all of the toppings.
chalkboard label glass jars ~ Big Lots kitchen storage

Instead of writing with chalk, I created a set of printable labels
to go right over the chalkboard ovals on the jars.

The free printables can be found at the bottom of the post.

Toppings for our Winter Hot Chocolate Bar include
old fashioned peppermint puffs, mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and caramels.

Winter activities held outdoors always call for some accompanying snacks.

We made two double batches of homemade caramel popcorn to fit the bill.

Plain Caramel and Potato Chip Pretzel Chocolate Caramel

Both recipes are incredibly simple to make…and easier to eat!

The recipes can be found at the bottom of this post.

Easy Homemade Caramel Glazed Popcorn

Potato Chip Pretzel Chocolate Caramel Popcorn

Caramel coated popcorn mixed with cashews, potato chip pieces, and pretzels – drizzled with dark milk and white chocolate

The holiday shaped pretzels are just the cutest and so fitting!
holiday shaped pretzels ~ Big Lots holiday food

Plaid bows were added to the jars for a festive touch.

The bows were simply tied with plaid wire ribbon and hot glued to tops of the glass jars.
The hot glue peels right off the glass when you’re done.
plaid ribbon ~ Big Lots seasonal decor

master cuisine fabric tablecloth – Big Lots home decor

For some added height and balance to the table we added this pre-lit white vine reindeer
draped with some coordinating plaid ribbon.

My little guy actually picked him out and he will definitely have a home on our deck
when not attending the Hot Chocolate Bar.

Some of our Hot Chocolate Bar essentials include wooden stirrers, whipped cream and a Sharpie
– for guests to label their cups.

And don’t forget to dress up that can of whipped cream with a piece of decorative scrapbook paper.

While setting up the Hot Chocolate Bar it’s a good idea to make a note of the cup sizes being used and the amount of chocolate mix that should be added.

Be sure to display these numbers somewhere on the table, easily visible for your guests.

disposable paper cups with lids and sleeves ~ Big Lots home essentials

For a constant supply of hot water we love using our Keurig.

Just toss the hot chocolate mix right into a cup and run the Keurig through a cycle –
without the k-cup, so the only thing coming out of the machine is hot water.

It’s quick, super simple and perfect for a crowd.

Who is ready for boots and blankets, Christmas trees and candy canes,
crackling fires and some hot chocolate?

Let the winter festivities begin!

The recipes for the Homemade Popcorn can be found below,
along with the free Hot Chocolate Bar Printables.

5.0 from 1 reviews

Winter Hot Chocolate Bar - Holiday Entertaining | Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn Recipe

 

Print

Author: www.bystephanielynn.com

Ingredients

• 6 Tablespoons of Vegetable Oil
• ⅔ Cup of Popcorn Kernels
• 8 Tablespoons of Butter
• 1 Cup of Brown Sugar
• ¼ Teaspoon of Salt
• 4 Tablespoons of Corn Syrup
• ¼ Teaspoon of Baking Soda

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven to 325°.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Warm the vegetable oil in a large pot, over medium -high heat on the stovetop. Add the popcorn kernels, cover the pot and continually shake gently. Remove the pot from heat when the popping slows or stops. Spray a large glass bowl with non-stick cooking spray and pour the popped kernels into the bowl. Set aside.
4. Add the butter, sugar, salt, and corn syrup to a heavy saucepan and stir over medium heat.
5. Once the mixture begins to boil, reduce the heat and continue to boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
6. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add in the baking soda. Stir until the mixture begins to turns into a 'foamy' consistency.
7. Working quickly, drizzle the popcorn with the caramel sauce, and stir to coat the popcorn.
8. Spread the popcorn evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and gently toss.
10. Bake for another 15 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool.
11. Break the popcorn into pieces and store in an air tight container.

3.4.3176

5.0 from 1 reviews

Potato Chip Pretzel Chocolate Caramel Popcorn

 

Print

Author: www.bystephanielynn.com

Ingredients

• 6 Tablespoons of Vegetable Oil
• ⅔ Cup of Popcorn Kernels
• 1 Cup of Cashews
• 4 Tablespoons of Butter
• ½ Cup of Brown Sugar
• ⅛ Teaspoon of Salt
• 2 Tablespoons of Corn Syrup
• ⅛ Teaspoon of Baking Soda
• 1 Cup of Potato Chips, coarsely broken into pieces
• 1 Cup of Pretzels
• 1 Cup of Dark Chocolate Chips
• 1 Cup of White Chocolate Chips

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven to 325°.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Warm the vegetable oil in a large pot, over medium -high heat on the stovetop. Add the popcorn kernels, cover the pot and continually shake gently. Remove the pot from heat when the popping slows or stops. Spray a large glass bowl with non-stick cooking spray and pour the popped kernels into the bowl. Add the cashews, toss and set aside.
4. Add the butter, sugar, salt, and corn syrup to a heavy saucepan and stir over medium heat.
5. Once the mixture begins to boil, reduce the heat and continue to boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
6. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add in the baking soda. Stir until the mixture begins to turns into a 'foamy' consistency.
7. Working quickly, drizzle the popcorn with the caramel sauce, and stir to coat the popcorn.
8. Spread the popcorn evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and gently toss.
10. Bake for another 15 minutes, remove the pan from the oven.
11. Sprinkle the popcorn with the potato chips and pretzels. Gently toss and allow to cool on the baking sheet.
12. Place the dark chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on medium, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the popcorn mixture.
13. Place the white chocolate chips in a separate microwave safe bowl. Microwave on medium, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the popcorn mixture.
14. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to set the chocolate.
15. Remove from the fridge and break the popcorn into pieces. Store in an air tight container.

3.4.3176

Hot Chocolate Bar Printable Banner – Page 1
Hot Chocolate Bar Printable Banner – Page 2
Hot Chocolate Bar Printable Banner – Page 3
Hot Chocolate Bar Printable Banner – Page 4
Hot Chocolate Bar Printable Jar Labels

The main ingredients for the homemade popcorn recipes were conveniently picked up right at our local Big Lots, along with the items mentioned above for the hot chocolate bar. Big Lots offers an array of quality baking ingredients and seasonal decor items – perfect for holiday entertaining. For more inspiration and product information, check out Big Lots on instagram, pinterest, and twitter.
All styles and assortments vary by store.