I'm doing a hot chocolate bar for our Christmas party - I'm putting out a dispenser of the hot chocolate along with little containers of Pirouette cookies, candy cane sticks, and mini marshmallows. And whipped cream.
I *love* salted caramel hot chocolate, so I'm also going to make caramel syrup (brown sugar + cream + vanilla + butter) and provide a sea salt shaker. I bought a little squeeze bottle for the caramel ... will it remain liquidy/saucy in the squeezer the whole time, or do I need to follow a different recipe to get it to not harden up? Whenever I've made it at home, it's hardened up after a few minutes.
And we'll provide liquors as well, so the adults can spike their drinks if they want. Any suggestions on what to buy? Especially if it's something that'll also taste good in coffee.
Ah, forgot to add it to this post! Rest assured, though, it's on my shopping list already
@mrschicken, I don't have a mini crockpot (I have a regular one but it'll be in use for meatballs). What kind of bottle warmer - like, the kind for baby bottles? I don't have kids so I don't have one of those. Think a bowl of hot water would work (thanks orangeblossom)? These are the squeeze bottles I bought: www.walmart.com/ip/Wilton-W1166-Mini-Squeeze-Bottle-Set-6-oz/24934853
I'll Google to see if I can find a recipe where it'll stay liquidy.
Ah, forgot to add it to this post! Rest assured, though, it's on my shopping list already
@mrschicken, I don't have a mini crockpot (I have a regular one but it'll be in use for meatballs). What kind of bottle warmer - like, the kind for baby bottles? I don't have kids so I don't have one of those. Think a bowl of hot water would work (thanks orangeblossom)? These are the squeeze bottles I bought: www.walmart.com/ip/Wilton-W1166-Mini-Squeeze-Bottle-Set-6-oz/24934853
I'll Google to see if I can find a recipe where it'll stay liquidy.
Yes, a bowl of hot water could work. I just thought about something, what about a glass measuring cup, the flat bottom and tall, but, narrower sides may help it stand up better.
I'm doing a hot cocoa bar, too! Instead of melted caramel, I'm using Torani syrups (found in coffee aisle)--this is what we used to flavor coffee/cocoa when I worked at a coffee shop, much easier than trying to keep caramel warm.
This is my list:
Different kinds of packaged cocoa mixes Sea salt in a grinder Mini Chocolate chips Crushed candy canes Marshmallows Reddi Whip
Vanilla and Caramel flavored Torani syrups Peppermint, butterscotch and vanilla schnapps Rum Bourbon
Use Brown Eyed Baker's recipe for Salted Caramel. It's on the runnier side and will keep in a squeeze bottle. If it starts to tighten up, zap in the microwave for 30 seconds.
I'm doing a Hot Cocoa bar for Christmas, too! I made Amaretto & Candy Cane Vodka, but the Salted Caramel sounds like a great addition that I will be copying!
I guess I'll make the sauce the day before and just see how it holds up in the squeeze bottle. I can always make a supermarket run before the party for storebought sauce if necessary.
I think there is a salted caramel vodka. I got my mom some nips for Christmas and that was one of them. You know, since this would go with your theme without all the trouble of making caramel sauce... :-)
If you make your normal recipe add quite a bit more cream than normal and that will help keep it thin. I usually keep my hot chocolate in a crock pot so it's always hot. Also kraft has peppermint marshmallows which are really good with peppermint schnapps.
I got the idea for the mix-ins from Pinterest. A lot of which look pretty simple and others which are a bit ... uh ... ambitious for lazy old me, lol.
In related news, MH was apparently looking online yesterday for ways to decorate our house for the party. He came home from work and said, "You know, this 'Pinterest' thing is pretty cool." haha