Hot Chocolate Dip

At a glance

What stands out: Fluffy and sweet, hot chocolate dip will be a hit at your next party, with all the flavors of hot cocoa in an irresistible cool dip! This dip is straightforward to mix and is reliable with Oreos, chocolate chip cookies, and graham crackers.

How long it takes: 5 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: mixing bowl, serving bowl
Servings: 10 to 12

Creamy and light, this chocolatey dip is a party favorite. It’s straightforward to stir up, too. If you’re looking for a speedy holiday appetizer, hot chocolate dip may be just the thing.

We know you all just love hot cocoa. We often make ginger-spiced hot chocolate from scratch with this straightforward microwave recipe. With ginger or without, it’s a straightforward recipe. Crockpot hot chocolate is our go-to recipe for winter parties. This stovetop recipe for lactose-free oat milk hot chocolate can be made with regular milk, if you prefer, and for adults, be sure to try our spiked hot chocolate.

We started thinking, how can we make this favorite beverage into a cool creamy dip? This hot chocolate dip is what we came up with and we're sure you’ll agree that it’s memorable, perhaps a little dangerous! What we would like to do is to dive head-first into this hot chocolate dip and maybe just stay there for a week or two, especially during the busy holiday season.

P.S. Have you had a chance to try hot cocoa bombs? Kids are blown away by these Pop Rocks hot cocoa bombs! Oh, that pun was unintended, really! Cocoa bombs make great gifts too. Pair them with fun marshmallow snowmen.

Creamy Hot Chocolate dip

Not a warm dip. The name can be a little bit misleading. This dip incorporates all the tasty goodness of a mug of steaming hot cocoa including the gooey marshmallows, only it’s cool and creamy. Add crisp cookies or crackers to dunk in the “hot chocolate” and you’ve got a real treat. (If you like warm chocolate (and who doesn’t?), try slow cooker chocolate fondue.)

Very straightforward to mix. We take a few shortcuts when we're making this dip so it can easily be stirred together in just a few minutes. Instant hot chocolate mix, marshmallow fluff, whipped topping, and a splash of vanilla extract is all you’ll need (and don’t forget the dippers!).

Reliable for entertaining. We know that we'll be making this dip for the next party we host. It’s the reliable sweet treat for parties: ready in about five minutes and always a hit. Plus, kids love it (at least ours do). It can be made ahead, too, because it stores well in the refrigerator.

Marshmallow Fluff

Perhaps you’re wondering what is the difference betweeen melted marshmallows and marshmallow fluff. Marshmallow fluff is made differently than marshmallows. It contains corn syrup, sugar syrup, dried egg whites, and vanillin. Marshmallows contain corn syrup and gelatins. They cannot be used interchangeably in most recipes, including this dip recipe.

What goes in

• Whipped Topping: You’ll need an 8 oz. tub of whipped topping (Cool Whip is one brand) which is usually found in the freezer section of the grocery store. Thaw it for a few hours or overnight in the fridge before making this recipe.
• Marshmallow Fluff: This is sold in plastic tubs or jars and is shelf-stable (does not need to be refrigerated).
• Hot Cocoa Mix: You’ll need a half cup which is equivalent to a 3 oz. package. Choose your favorite brand.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Just a half teaspoon enhances the chocolate flavor. If you don’t have it, you can omit it.
• Mini Marshmallows and Mini Chocolate Chips: These are optional but add a decorative and flavorful touch to the dip. These are fun little tiny marshmallows.

How it comes together

Make sure your whipped topping is thawed. A standby way to do that is to take it out of the freezer and put it in the fridge overnight.

Mix ingredients. Add the whipped topping, marshmallow fluff, hot cocoa mix, and vanilla to a mixing bowl. We like to use a small silicone scraper. It works great to get every last bit of the whipped topping and marshmallow fluff out of the containers. Use a hand mixer to blend the ingredients or stir it by hand if you’re feeling energetic.

Serve. Scrape the hot cocoa dip into a decorative bowl and arrange mini marshmallows and mini chocolate chips on top. It’s also fun to serve the dip in a large mug. Decoratively arrange with your choice of cookies, pretzels (that sweet/salty combo!), or fruit around the dip.

Optional garnish. If you’re feeling fancy, before you put the dip in the serving bowl, gussy up the bowl like the one in the photos. Simply melt white chocolate and dip the rim of the bowl in, and then add chocolate jimmies.

Before you start

Ways to change it

As always, recipes are made to have fun with! Listed below are some fun variations to make this recipe your own.

• Mocha dip: If you can’t get enough coffee in your life (us either!), add a teaspoon of espresso powder for a mocha flavor.
• Mexican hot chocolate dip: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the hot chocolate dip.
• Snickerdoodle/churro dip: Omit the hot chocolate mix and substitute 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Serve with from-scratch snickerdoodles cookies as dippers.
• Add-ins: Stir in mini M&Ms, crushed candy canes, Heath bars (toffee), or any other goodies you like.
• Healthier dippers: Serve the dip with strawberries and other fruit instead of cookies or crackers.
• Not into marshmallow fluff? Try our funfetti dip (also known as dunkaroo dip) or cream cheese fruit dip.

Make Ahead/Storage Tips

Hot chocolate dip can be stored in the fridge for up to four days in an airtight container.

• Yield: 10 servings
• Prep: 5 minutes
• Total: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 container (8 ounce) whipped topping (thawed if frozen)
• 1 jar (7 ounce) marshmallow fluff
• ½ cup hot cocoa mix (equivalent to one 3 oz. packet)
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Mini marshmallows for topping
• Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips for topping

Method

1. In a large bowl, add whipped topping, marshmallow fluff, hot cocoa mix, and vanilla. Fold together until well incorporated. Do not overmix.
2. Scrape the dip into a serving dish or large mug, and top with mini marshmallows and mini semi-sweet chocolate chips.
3. Serve chilled with your favorite cookies like Oreos, graham crackers, chocolate chip cookies, etc.

Notes

Make ahead & storage: Dip will keep in the refrigerator for four days in a tightly covered container. When you’re ready to serve it, scoop it into a decorative bowl and add garnish, if desired.

Sprinkle-lined bowl: Melt ¼ to ⅓ cup white chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in the microwave in 15-second increments until smooth. Line the bowl with the melted chocolate and add the sprinkles. You may want to do this over a large plate to catch any sprinkles that fall. Set the bowl in the refrigerator to chill for 10 minutes before adding the dip.

Add-ins: If you want more marshmallows or chocolate chips, incorporate them into the dip in addition to topping the dip with them. Stir in ⅓ cup mini marshmallows and 2 to 2 ½ tablespoons of the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips. Other options are mini M&Ms, crushed candy canes, Heath bars (toffee), or any other goodies you like.