Hot chocolate along with its rich and velvety texture really warms everyone’s soul, especially on chilly days. While tasting hot chocolate in itself is a delightful experience pairing it up with the right side dishes can really enhance your experience by improving its flavors and textures. So, if you are wondering what to eat with hot chocolate, here are numerous options to perfectly complement your hot chocolate recipes.
1. What Can You Eat With a Hot Chocolate Drink?
Whether you want to relax on a couch on your holiday or chill with your friends by a big bonfire, a cup of hot chocolate is enough to sweeten those moments. If you are confused about the kind of treat that pairs the best with hot chocolate, then you can generally go for salty snacks or sour citrus fruit. However, sweet snacks and tangy fruits such as oranges and strawberries also do the trick.
1.1. Kettle Corn Snack Mix
If you want to add a little bit of saltiness to your sweet mug of hot chocolate, then kettle corn snack mix is a must. To make kettle corn, you can start by heating vegetable oil in a pot over a medium flame. Then, you can stir in popcorn, kennels, and sugar.
Then, you can cover the pot for a few minutes but remember to shake it occasionally so that the sugar in it does not burn. After removing the pot from the heat, you will need to shake the popcorn until the popping of the corn stops. You can even add pretzel sticks, dried fruit, or cold cereal for tangy flavors. This salty snack will add a proper crunch to the creamy texture of your hot chocolate.
1.2. You Can Have Mini Marshmallows
Adding mini marshmallows to your cup of hot chocolate will surely elevate your experience as they add an engaging scent and taste to the dish. All you have to do is gently drop the marshmallows into the hot cup. As soon as you dip those marshmallows, you will see them expand and soften a bit.
The best part is that the marshmallows will absorb the rich and velvety flavors of hot cocoa and float on the surface of your cup of hot chocolate. You will totally enjoy the contrast of the warm and creamy hot cocoa with the cool and airy marshmallows.
However, it’s better to go for mini-sized marshmallows and not the large ones as the mini marshmallows will melt into the drink itself forming a white puddle. You can even decorate the marshmallows as toppings and enjoy the comfort of a winter holiday party.
1.3. Peppermint Candies Pair Perfectly with Hot Chocolate
If you want some spicy rich flavors for your hot chocolate drink, then peppermint candy canes will pair perfectly with your cup of hot cocoa. Peppermint candy canes are crunchier on their own after they cool off completely. You can either have them separately or let the candies dissolve in your drink.
Once the ninth candies dissolve in your rich chocolate drink, your taste buds will get to experience a burst of minty freshness. The enchanting aroma along with the contrasting flavors of warmth and coolness will let you have a delightful experience.
1.4. Chocolate Bars Go Well With Hot Chocolate
How much chocolate is too much chocolate? If you have a sweet tooth, then adding milk chocolate bars to your hot chocolate will surely give you a heavenly experience. You can go for milk chocolate as well as dark chocolate bars. Dark chocolate will even add a hint of bitterness.
You will just have to make sure that your hot chocolate is not too hot as it will melt off your chocolate. So, make sure that your cool milk chocolate bar does not dissolve completely in your drink. you can eat those milk chocolate bars with a spoon while they are still floating in your warm drink.
1.5. Hot Chocolate With Rolled Wafers
Rolled wafers go really well with hot chocolate because of their delicate and crispy texture. If you like a perfect crunchy dessert, then you should definitely give it a try. Make sure to enjoy this wholesome treat when they are completely cooled off as that way, they are more crunchy.
If you prefer more of a liquid treat, you can let the wafers melt in your hot chocolate drink as it will enhance the chocolate flavor more. This mouthwatering chocolate stick filled with hazelnut spread is a must-have dessert for winter evenings.
1.6. Chocolate Chips Cookies With Hot Chocolate
Imagine a tray of warm and golden chocolate chip cookies alongside your delicious and creamy hot chocolate. The edges of the chocolate chip cookies are crisp with the center being soft and gooey. Each bit is a symphony of sweetness and rich hot cocoa, complemented by the perfect balance of butter and vanilla.
You can serve these chocolate chip cookies with warm and creamy hot chocolate along with whipped cream on top. The hot cocoa warms you from within and you can indulge in a heavenly experience with every bite.
1.7. Try Whoopie Pies
Whoopie pies are a delightful dessert that consists of two soft cake-like cookies sandwiching a creamy filling. These treats are made with hot cocoa which gives them a rich, chocolate-like base. The filling inside the treats is a blend of butter and marshmallow cream.
These delicious whoopie pies have a soft, chewy, and fluffy texture which gives you a delightful experience with every bite.
1.8. Sweet and Yummy Cheesecake
A slice of luscious and velvety cheesecake alongside hot chocolate will taste absolutely delicious. The creamy and tangy cheese flavor is so indulgent that you will keep wanting for more. So, you can even pair red velvet-coated cheesecake with your cup of hot chocolate for a heavenly delight.
1.9. Pair With Spicy Sweet Marble Rye
Spicy sweet marble rye has the flavors of cinnamon and pepper that will ignite your taste palates. The warmth of toasted grainy bread with a mug of hot cocoa will envelop you in a cocoon of comfort as you embrace the drink in a cold, chilly day.
2. Hot Chocolate Companions
There are certain food items that will ace the recipes of your hot chocolate. Adding them to your hot chocolate recipe will enhance its flavor, giving you a blissful experience.
2.1. Caramel
There will be a sweet dance of flavors if you add caramel to your drink. The combination of velvety hot chocolate with buttery and molten caramel will take your experience to the next level.
2.2. Coffee Liqueurs
The combination of chocolate and coffee is a heavenly match. The bitterness of cocoa with the sweetness of chocolate makes an amazing flavor along with awakening the senses. You can add a pinch of coffee to your hot chocolate and enjoy the magical taste.
2.3. Nut Butter
Creamy nut butter, whether it be of almond or cashew will add a velvety richness to your hot chocolate. You can let a spoon of nut butter melt into the liquid and add a luscious and healthier hot chocolate.
2.4. Cinnamon
If you want to elevate the flavor of your hot chocolate, add a pinch of cinnamon to it. Adding a dash of cinnamon will give spicy notes to your cocoa drink and offer a tantalizing contrast. This recipe of cocoa will evoke a cozy and festive ambiance and will make it a heartwarming treat.
2.5. Salty Foods or Salty Snacks
The combination of sweet and salty food will give your palate a delightful and satisfactory experience. Sprinkling a dash of sea salt in your hot chocolate recipe will heighten the sweet flavor of cocoa. You can even pair salty food such as roasted nuts or dried fruit for a sweet and crunchy experience.
Final Note
If you have arranged a party or there is a festive evening at home, what’s better than serving hot chocolate with some sweet or tangy food? This list of snacks will add a twist to your simple recipe while also enhancing its flavors.
You can choose the side snacks based on your preference, whether you like it crunchy or melted. So, whether it be a cheesecake or any tangy fruit or peanut butter, enjoy it with your warm mug of hot chocolate, either on your couch for a relaxing winter afternoon or with your friends and close ones for a festive winter evening.
FAQs
- Can I add milk to my hot chocolate recipe?
Adding milk to your hot chocolate recipe depends on your personal taste preferences. If you like your drink to be more heavy or creamy, you can add milk. If you prefer your drink to be lighter, you can just add water to your hot chocolate recipe.
- What nuts go well with the hot chocolate recipe?
The nuts that will pair up really well with hot chocolate are hazelnuts, almonds and peanuts. The smooth and luscious texture of the chocolate drink will go really well with the crunch of nuts.
- Can I drink hot chocolate when I am on my period?
You can make your chocolate drink with dark chocolate as it helps to ease menstrual cramps and has a high magnesium content. This is because magnesium stops the production of certain compounds that signal cramps.
Ruchika is an experienced health and fitness niche writer. She has written several content related to fitness across the web and is also researching on lifestyle related content to help people deal with general issues.
