This post is all about making hot chocolate cones (or reindeer cones for a holiday theme).
This week, I made Christmas gift boxes for hubby’s clinic staff. I might share the entire box in another post but one cute thing that I put in each box was a hot chocolate cone reindeer.
It’s a perfect little DIY project that is super easy to put together but still thoughtful and unique enough to put a smile on other people’s faces.
Besides, I like giving things that people won’t immediately throw in the trash.
I’m confident that even if any of these recipients don’t drink hot chocolate, someone at home will be happy to take this off their hands.
I’m sharing this on the blog today because it’s a great gift idea for your:
- mail delivery people/drivers
- colleagues & employees
- neighbors
- children’s classmates
- church members
- get well soon care packages
It’s so easy that the kids can help you make them and so quick that they can be made last-minute if you forget to get someone a gift.
OKAY! Here are all the details…
SUPPLIES:
Gather These Things First
There are really only 2, maybe 3, mandatory ingredients for this project:
- Clear, Coned Bags
I really like the ones I used (linked above) because they come with fabulous gold twist ties that securely seal the bags. But, some people use disposable piping bags so if you have those at home, they should work. - Hot Chocolate (of course)
I chose Swiss Miss because I actually researched the most popular hot chocolates (lol) and Swiss Miss was consistently at the top of the lists I read. Plus, it’s cheap and can be found in grocery stores everywhere. - Mini-Marshmallows
Then, there are a bunch of optional ingredients that you can pick & choose & substitute between:
(**the things I used are bolded)
- Chocolate Chips
- Peppermint Bits / Crushed Candy Cane
- M&Ms
- Ribbon or Baker’s Twine
- Tags
- Stickers
If making reindeers, you need: - Pom Poms (the ones I bought actually came with the googly eyes!)
- Googly Eyes
- Pipe Cleaners (for the antlers)
clear triangle bags, hot cocoa, mini-marshmallows, peppermint sprinkles & baker’s twine
How To Make The Basic Hot Chocolate Cones
The first question I want to address about this method is…
How much hot chocolate do you put in a cone bag?
I like to put ONE serving of hot chocolate into each cone because it just makes more sense that way!
If you were to receive one of these, wouldn’t you automatically assume that it would be for one mug of hot chocolate?
I would!
Some people like to put multiple servings of hot chocolate into one cone and then include directions on how to divide up the hot chocolate and the ingredients into different cups but I think that’s just way too much going on.
Besides, with one serving of hot chocolate per bag, the recipient can simple cut the tip of the cone and pour all of the hot chocolate and ingredients right into a mug of hot water.
Simple and neat!!
That’s why I went with one satchet of hot chocolate per cone.
4 Basic Steps:
Step 1
Pour 1 satchet of hot chocolate (or scoop 1 serving of hot chocolate from a bulk container) into the plastic bag as close to the bottom as possible.
Deze’s Pro-Tips
Try to avoid getting hot chocolate on the sides of the plastic because it will turn the marshmallows brown.
Using a funnel (or pouring as close to the bottom as possible) will help you avoid this.
Step 2 – Scoop 1 serving of crushed peppermints/candy canes or chocolate chips on top of the cocoa.
Step 3 – Pour a handful of mini-marshmallows on top of that.
Deze’s Pro-Tips
The ORDER in which you pour in the ingredients is actually more important than you think.
(Trust me- I learned that from experience lol).
The ingredients should be stacked with the thicker ingredients on top of the smaller, finer ingredients.
For example, if you try to pour in marshmallows first and then crushed peppermint, the peppermint bits will fall within the cracks of the marshmallows and you will lose that layering effect.
Step 4 – Tie the bag by winding the included twist ties tightly above the marshmallows, then cut off the excess plastic from the top.
Decorative Step – Depending on your desired final look, top with a:
- tag with instructions: “Pour bag contents into 8 ounces of hot water or milk and enjoy”
- decorative ribbon or twine
- bow
- themed sticker
How To Make Reindeer Hot Chocolate Cones
Now, if you are wondering how do you make Christmas reindeer hot chocolate cones, it’s not a big difference from the regular cones.
To make them into reindeers, stick on:
- 2 googly eyes (come with adhesive)
- 1 red pom pom (using 2-sided tape. hot glue can puncture the bag)
- antlers to the top of the bag <— I found the process of making antlers to be tough. I only made them for one cone.
That’s it! Super simple!
How To Make: HOT CHOCOLATE CONES & REINDEERS
These hot cocoa cones are an easy, yet festive gift to give to your friends and loved ones. They're so easy to make but oh so adorable and cozy.
Materials
Tools
- Scissors
Instructions
- Open 1 satchet of hot chocolate (or scoop 1 serving of hot chocolate from a bulk container)
- Pour the hot chocolate into the coned bag as close to the pointed bottom as possible.
(Try to avoid getting hot chocolate on the sides of the plastic because it will turn the marshmallows brown) - Scoop 1 serving of crushed peppermints/candy canes or chocolate chips on top of the cocoa
- Layer a handful of mini-marshmallows on top of that
- Tightly tie the bag right above the marshmallow layer using the included twist ties, so that the contents don't move around
- Cut the excess plastic from the top of the bag
OPTIONAL:
To make the hot chocolate bags into reindeers,
- Stick 2 googly eyes, 1 red pom pom and antlers to the bag
Notes
The order in which you pour the ingredients in is important.
The ingredients should be stacked with the smaller, more fine ingredients on the bottom and the bigger ingredients to the top.
If you put small ingredients on top of big ingredients (for example crushed peppermint on top of marshmallows), they will fall in between the cracks and mix together.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
That’s all folks!
If you get around to making some hot cocoa cones like these for yourself, take a picture and tag me on instagram!
I’d love to see!
Share Your Thoughts