This hot chocolate on a stick recipe was originally published in November 2009 and was one of the first very popular posts here on Foodie with Family. Join the many people who have made this a part of their holiday gift giving tradition!
This is one of the most clever ideas I’ve seen out of the King Arthur Flour Baker’s Circle lately. (And they’re no creative slouches over at King Arthur.) In the most recent e-newsletter* from their test kitchen they included a recipe for Cocoa Blocks.
*If you’d like to receive their free e-newsletter, you can click this link and look for the sign-up box in the lower right hand corner of the page.
Oh sweet merciful heavens. Cocoa blocks. Very utilitarian name, no? Nothing against my King Arthur folks, because I really do love them, but I think the name doesn’t do justice to these little beauties. I’ve renamed them. Henceforth, they shall be called Hot Chocolate On A Stick.
Hot Chocolate on a Stick is a creamy chocolate confection that is much like an ultra-rich fudge. You can, as the new title indicates, put these blocks of chocolatey goodness on sticks for ease in swirling it in hot milk or nibbling.
You can simply leave the squares alone and stir them into your hot drinks. Or you can go another step, as I am wont to do, and skewer a marshmallow on top of the block of chocolate.
And since we’re playing with marshmallows already, why not make them homemade marshmallows? That opens up the possibilities of all kinds of decadent flavor combinations; mocha chocolate with cocoa marshmallows, orange chocolate with vanilla marshmallows, plain chocolate with raspberry marshmallows, or pure chocolate and vanilla marshmallows.
So if you combine luscious, velvety, rich fudge with light-as-air homemade marshmallows it should follow that what you’ve created is heavenly. And it is. Oh, it is!
Not to put too fine a point on it, but having these in my kitchen was the only thing standing between me and a potential sale of my children to the circus early career apprenticeship commitment for my children. I hid in the bathroom with a ‘Hot Chocolate on a Stick’ and nibbled my irritation away.
I could’ve taken a cup of hot milk to the bathroom with me, but I was in a hurry, people. I needed the chocolate and I needed it fast.
The kids, on the other hand, found the stash while I was hiding (and small price to pay for the peace it brought me) and stirred theirs into hot cups of milk. I hear tell that they enjoyed it immensely. The chocolate rings around their mouths bore out their testimony.
Kid tested. Mother approved.
May I recommend that you whip up a batch or two or three of these? Keep one batch for yourself. Wrap one batch in plastic and pretty ribbons for gift-giving. And that last batch?
Well, give it away one at a time to your kids’ teachers, bus drivers, your preacher, the mail carrier, the elderly man or woman down the road who lost their spouse this year, the gal in the apartment two doors down who looks a little lonely, or anyone else who looks like they could use a good dose of seasonal cheer.
Do I need Homemade Marshmallows for Hot Chocolate on a Stick?
Not strictly. If you’re super freaked out by making homemade marshmallows, you can purchase marshmallows and skewer them on top of the fudge. I do think it’s infinitely tastier if you use homemade marshmallows, though.
Make Hot Chocolate on a Stick
Scroll to the bottom for an easy-print version of this recipe!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk (1 1/4 cups)
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate (3 cups chopped chocolate bars or chips)
- 3/4 cup unsweetened baking chocolate (4 ounces)
- wooden sticks, lollipop sticks, candy canes or bamboo skewers
- optional, crushed candy canes, marshmallows and/or cocoa powder
- Line an 8 x 8-inch pan or a 9 x 9-inch pan with foil and set aside.
- Combine the cream and sweetened condensed milk in a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Heat until it is steaming, but not boiling, stirring occasionally to keep from scorching.
- Add all of the chocolate and remove from the heat. Allow the chocolate to melt, undisturbed, for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, whisk firmly until it is thick and shiny. You can add a few drops of flavoring extract or oil at this point, or add some powdered espresso or vanilla. Whisk vigorously again to incorporate the flavoring (if used.)
- Use a rubber or silicone spatula to spread the mixture out evenly in your prepared, foil-lined pan.
- Allow to cool at room temperature 12 hours or overnight so that it firms slowly.
- Take the fudge from the pan and remove the foil. Place on a cutting board.
- Using a knife heated with hot water and wiped dry, cut the fudge into 16 equal-sized cubes. You can either stick a lollipop stick (or candy cane) into the center of each block or leave as is. Additionally, you can press the cut sides of the fudge into crushed candy canes, roll them in cocoa powder or top with marshmallows.
- Eat immediately or wrap tightly and store at room temperature.
Hot Chocolate on a Stick Cook’s Notes
- This may sound silly, but be sure you’re using sweetened condensed milk and not evaporated milk for your fudge squares. You would not believe how many people have made this mistake then wondered why their fudge would not set.
- Make sure you remove the cream and sweetened condensed milk pan from the heat before you add the chocolate.
- Don’t feel obligated to top these with homemade marshmallows (although it is divine.) You can top the cooled, cut fudge squares with store bought marshmallows when you skewer them.
- If you’re foregoing homemade marshmallows, you can also plonk a layer of mini marshmallows onto the top of your fudge when it is still hot and press them lightly into place.
- I recommend wrapping these individually with plastic wrap or treats bags. Store them at room temperature once wrapped.
Hot Chocolate on a Stick
Rate RecipeIngredients
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 14- ounce can sweetened condensed milk 1 1/4 cups
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate 3 cups chopped chocolate bars or chips
- 3/4 cup unsweetened baking chocolate 4 ounces
- wooden sticks lollipop sticks, candy canes or bamboo skewers
Optional:
- 1 batch homemade marshmallows cut to same size as fudge recipe below
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8-inch pan or a 9 x 9-inch pan with foil and set aside.
- Combine the cream and sweetened condensed milk in a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Heat until it is steaming, but not boiling, stirring occasionally to keep from scorching.
- Add all of the chocolate and remove from the heat. Allow the chocolate to melt, undisturbed, for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, whisk firmly until it is thick and shiny. You can add a few drops of flavoring extract or oil at this point, or add some powdered espresso or vanilla. Whisk vigorously again to incorporate the flavoring (if used.)
- Use a rubber or silicone spatula to spread the mixture out evenly in your prepared, foil-lined pan. Allow to cool at room temperature 12 hours or overnight so that it firms slowly.
- Take the fudge from the pan and remove the foil. Place on a cutting board.
- Using a knife heated with hot water and wiped dry, cut the fudge into 16 equal-sized cubes.
- Wrap tightly and store at room temperature.
Optional:
- Top each cube of fudge with a homemade marshmallow, then stick a lollipop stick (or candy cane) into the center of each block and wrap tightly. Store at room temperature.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
did you make this recipe?
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This post was originally posted in November 2009, then republished in 2011 (In Loving Memory of Evelyn “Patti” Worthington.) Updated in December 2018 with updated instructions, photos, and Cook’s Notes.
Reader's Thoughts...
Rachael Gaedeke says
Hi, is the unsweetened baking chocolate in bar form or powder?
Rebecca says
Hi Rachael- It’s in bar form. 🙂
Tracy says
Best recipe ever! Gave them as gifts when we lived in the country of Panama. So, the recipe works great in the tropics ;). Making them this year in Pennsylvania! I don’t know of too many people who ever wait until the milk is hot enough. But the 2 marshmallow trick…I might have to try them.
Thanks for sharing this recipe and the accompanying marshmallow recipe. Both are wonderful and I get a kick out of making marshmallows. Who knew it’d be so easy!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Rebecca says
Merry Christmas, Tracy! Thanks for taking the time to rate the recipe and let me know you love them. AND for sharing your story!!!
Angela Pool says
I have made your recipe for years! It is fabulous! I used hot chocolate on a stick as a reward for people in my organization to get their yearly paperwork in on time! It was very effective! I received paperwork from people who had NEVER done their paperwork in a timely manner! At the end of the year meetings, presenting them became a celebration because EVERYONE LOVES HOT CHOCOLATE ON A STICK! Thanks so much for sharing!. It is included in “our family’s favorite recipes” book that I presented to my siblings and nieces and nephews. for Christmas. (Only 50 copies made for our personal use-NEVER SOLD) Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe with the world!I would give it 10 stars if I could! BTW, I make 2 batches of marshmallows so each stick can have one for the cocoa and one for eating waiting for the milk to warm up….
Rebecca says
Oh my goodness, Angela, you just made my day! Thank you so much for taking the time to rate the recipe and let me know that you love it. Merry Christmas!
Pat fox says
I put mine in refrigerator overnight and the chocolate turned shaded, they are still delicious but what happened?
Rebecca says
No worries! It’s still totally edible, but refrigeration puts a bloom on chocolate. It’s natural, and not a worry at all!
Kelly says
What is the best way to individually wrap these? I’ve got all of my made and they look wonderful! I’d like to give them as teacher gifts. Just not sure what to use to keep them from sticking to whatever wrapping I use. Thanks!
Rebecca says
Hi Kelly- They shouldn’t feel sticky to the touch, but if they’re already assembled and you don’t want to dust with more powdered sugar, I’d just wrap them each in a sheet of plastic wrap and tie a bow around them. That’s how I usually do it!
cody cakes says
I just made these for my daughter’s class gifts and they were amazing!! Followed directions exactly and it was SO simple and straightforward! I pre-measured my cuts and placed store-bought marshmallows on right after I smoothed/leveled it out. Then I placed plastic spoons in a few hours after cooling. I made a second batch for our Christmas get together! The second batch has your home made marshmallows and OMG, they are amazing too!! Who wouldda thought that making marshmallows yourself was SO darn easy!?! Thank you for sharing!! Happy Holidays!!
Rebecca says
That is AWESOME!! I’m so glad you loved the fudge and marshmallow recipes! I hope you enjoy your holidays with lots of hot chocolate 🙂 <3
Sonia says
Could you just pour your marshmallow mixture on top of the still warm chocolate base? Would it be too hot and not set right?
Rebecca says
Hi Sonia- You really need to cut them separately because the marshmallows need to be liberally dusted in powdered sugar before slicing and the fudge needs to be cut with a hot, clean knife.
Jack William says
This is so delicious as dessert! hits any sweet tooth on the nail.
Rebecca says
Thank you so much, Jack! I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know you love it and rate it as well!
Pam says
How long can these be made ahead of time? I’m thinking of making these for my daughters wedding and need around 300 of them. Can they be frozen, or kept in the refrigerator for any length of time?
Rebecca says
Hi Pam- I’ve made these a week prior to use and kept them individually wrapped at cool room temperature. I don’t advise freezing them as it will effect the texture of the marshmallows. You could probably refrigerate them individually wrapped and then let them come to room temperature before serving.
Tabby says
Am I the only one who has wondered how this would work with peanut butter instead of chocolate? Has anyone else tried it?
Jonathon Milazzo says
your recipe says it makes 36 servings but you cut the chocolate into 16 pieces.
Rebecca says
Good catch, Jonathon! I’ll fix that typo. It should be 16 servings.
Amanda L McLelland says
All I have on hand is dark Karo corn syrup, not light. Could I use the dark syrup for the marshmallows? How would they turn out?
Rebecca says
Hi Amanda- I’m sorry to say that I don’t actually know how it would turn out as I’ve never tried it with dark Karo syrup. If you do, please let me know how it goes for you.
Brittany says
This will be my fourth year making these. People beg for them. I share the story of your Aunt and we all smile and remember her sweet tooth and silly tree. We call them Aunt Pattys hot chocolate on a stick in my house. When my father died my husband shared something with me. We all have two deaths, our physical bodies and the last time our name is ever spoken. Her life lives on in your love.
Rebecca says
Thank you, Brittany. That means so much.
Angela Pool says
I have been making hot chocolate on a stick from your recipe for several years now. They are so popular that I give them out as incentives for people in my organization to get their annual paperwork in on time. If they get it in, they get hot chocolate on a stick. The number of folks getting things in on time has more than doubled. The only thing I do differently is I make two batches of marshmallows per batch of chocolate. I put two marshmallows on each chocolate block. This is a 5 star recipe! Fabulous!
Rebecca says
That is so much fun to hear, Angela! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Amanda L McLelland says
So, do you get 36 cubes of fudge out of this recipe? And, does that size cube make a rich enough cup? Also, is there no way of ensuring they keep for longer than a week or two?
Rebecca says
Hi Amanda- It depends on how much hot milk you have! For 4-6 ounces, it is perfect! And I would not count on keeping them longer than a week or two. A little spell in the refrigerator might extend that by a bit, but not too long!
EE says
Thankyou for sharing your family stories and most of all the fudge/ hot chicolate recipe. I gave it as gifts with marshmallows that I purchased(didn’t have the time to make both).
Tried it for myself tonight, stirred into hot milk and my life will never be the same. SO DELIGHTFUL!
Linda Hopkins says
This was my first visit you your page and I wanted to thank you for sharing the wonderful story of Aunt Patti. It was sweet and tender and was a great reminder of how short life is and how much we need to charish the time we have with those we love. I’m going to make some of the Hot Chocolate on a stick (minus the marshmello as it’s snowing right now and well I’d like my first attempt to have every chance possibable to succeed) and call my mom and dad too. Thank you very much for sharing and have a Very Merry Christmas =)
Bailey Ana says
Wow, that was a moving post, love to your family. I’m definitely going to try these, they look great x
Lisa T says
So before I attempt these, how are these swirled in hot milk? Is it a good hot chocolate then? I’m having a fall themed party and thought these would make great favors. I tried a different version of “hot chocolate on a stick” involving poured chocolate into molds, but they discolored after a week of storage. I wanted to make something ahead of time, like two weeks before. I hope these would work… !
Thank you if you see this and can respond. I realize it’s been a while since the original post.
Tawny @ The Year of The Cookie says
I made these for Christmas last year, so good! I rolled some in crushed candy canes and some in cocoa powder. It was really fun to make homemade marshmallows.