Assembled Hot Cocoa Cup topped with marshmallows as part of the Hot Cocoa Cups recipe."

Hot Cocoa Cups Recipe: Festive, Easy, and Perfect for Holiday Parties

Looking for a show-stopping dessert to bring to your next holiday party? This Hot Cocoa Cups recipe is the perfect choice! Not only are these treats festive and adorable, but they’re also incredibly easy to make. With chocolate cupcakes, rich mousse frosting, and a handful of mini marshmallows, this treat brings the warm, cozy vibes of hot chocolate to life—no actual cocoa required.

I originally made this Hot Cocoa Cups recipe for a homeschool Christmas party, and they were such a hit! The best part? They’re fully customizable—you can even swap out the cupcake base for brownies or experiment with different toppings like whipped cream and sprinkles.


Why This Hot Cocoa Cups Recipe Works

The secret to this fun dessert lies in its simplicity. Using boxed cake mix and instant pudding mix keeps things quick, but the presentation makes them feel magical and homemade. This Hot Cocoa Cups recipe is also a great way to involve kids in the holiday fun—they’ll love decorating the tops!


Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 box of dark chocolate cake mix (plus the ingredients listed on the box to prepare it)
  • Chocolate mousse frosting:
    • 1 package of instant chocolate pudding mix
    • Whipping cream (replace the milk in the pudding directions with the same amount of whipping cream)
  • 1 bag of mini marshmallows
  • Festive cups (like cocoa-themed paper cups, available on Amazon or craft stores)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Bake the Cupcakes:

  1. Follow the directions on your boxed dark chocolate cake mix to make cupcakes.
  2. Once baked, allow the cupcakes to cool completely before assembling.

A chocolate cupcake inside a festive cup


2. Make the Chocolate Mousse Frosting:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the instant chocolate pudding mix with whipping cream (use the same amount of cream as the milk specified in the pudding directions).
  2. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer until thick and creamy.

Chocolate mousse frosting smoothed on the cupcake


3. Assemble the Hot Cocoa Cups:

  1. Place one cupcake into each cocoa-themed paper cup.
  2. Top each cupcake with a generous dollop of chocolate mousse frosting. Smooth the top with a spatula for a clean finish.

4. Add Marshmallows and Decorations:

  1. Sprinkle mini marshmallows on top of the mousse frosting to complete the “hot cocoa” look.
  2. For extra customization, you can top with whipped cream and festive sprinkles instead of marshmallows.

Assembled Hot Cocoa Cup topped with marshmallows as part of the Hot Cocoa Cups recipe."


Creative Customization Ideas

  • Swap the Cupcake for Brownies: Bake a tray of brownies, cut them into circles, and use them as the base in your cups.
  • Festive Toppings: Replace marshmallows with whipped cream, sprinkles, crushed peppermint, or even edible glitter for extra holiday cheer.
  • Themed Cups: If you can’t find cocoa-themed cups, go for plain paper cups and decorate them with stickers or ribbon for a DIY touch.

Where to Find Festive Cups

The cocoa-themed paper cups I used were originally from Oriental Trading Co., but if they’re not available, Amazon has several similar options. Look for small, sturdy cups with a holiday theme to make the presentation even more magical.


Storage Tips

  • These Hot Cocoa Cups are best served fresh, but they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • If you’re adding whipped cream instead of mousse, wait until just before serving to top them to avoid it deflating.

Conclusion: A Holiday Treat Everyone Will Love

This Hot Cocoa Cups recipe is the ultimate Christmas party dessert. They’re fun, festive, and so simple to make—even the kids can help! Whether you stick with the classic chocolate and marshmallow combo or jazz them up with your own creative twist, these cups will add a little holiday magic to any gathering.

So, get baking, grab some cute cups, and watch these adorable treats disappear faster than you can say “Merry Christmas!”

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