December 2021
Erma Bombeck said it best, “There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.” Grandmas Follies and the world gingerly walked the line between laughter and pain in 2020 and 2021. In 2022 let's laugh at ourselves, see the humor in mundane tasks, and defuse (if only in our minds) annoying people. Silly giggles and full out belly laughs are what we need for a healthy and happy New Year. Here's to YOU, Grandmas Follies and humor in 2022!
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Here's the REAL Hot Cocoa Bomb story direct from my kitchen with all the whoops, bloops and blunders.
For me, the holidays always begin with Halloween and go joyfully through the end of the year. My adult self seems to melt away when the calendar flips to November. The tantalizing smells, festive lights, parades, cookies, cakes, twinkles, and laughter all delight me. The holidays are what you make of it and mine does not include the unpleasant task of buying gifts. Having fun and making memories with the people I love means the world to me. So, it’s no wonder that I was intrigued by Hot Cocoa Bombs.
What are these delicious creations? Hot Cocoa Bombs are chocolate balls filled with cocoa mix and mini marshmallows. When you slowly pour the hot milk (or water) over them they burst open. Stir and enjoy! Finding them during the 2020 pandemic holidays was challenging. Darn!! That could only mean one thing. If I wanted them, I had to make them. Baking is my thing, but I am NOT great at it, and I have never worked with chocolate in this way. My first jump right in attempt was a complete chocolate disaster so I decided to watch a few tutorials. The cooking shows, offering Hot Cocoa Bomb tutorials, all tempered the chocolate for that shiny, flawless appearance. Have you ever watched a cooking show and thought, “Well, that’s not going to happen.”? I have to say I was discouraged.
A few days later I took another approach with google and found the answer to my prayers. YES, to The Station Bakery on YouTube! She is delightful, and her tutorials are well done. Not only has she simplified the Hot Chocolate Bomb process (no, thank goodness, we are not tempering the chocolate), but she also does a step-by-step process for starting your own home baking business. I’m not, but some of you may be interested and she is a great resource. If you only want to bake for gifts, her packaging and shipping tutorials are very helpful too. Everything is basically sourced and linked for you. The Station Bakery may be one of the many wonderful small businesses which popped up out of this horrible pandemic.
Feeling fully informed and ready to go, I started to gather my “stuff”. We were going to enjoy the Hot Cocoa Bombs all winter long. Whoops, what chocolate was I supposed to use? Went right back to The Station Bakery tutorial and got the product names, but they were out of stock, so I found a comparable at Michaels craft store: Sweet Tooth Fairy Chocolate Meltables. I would prefer using REAL chocolate like Ghirardelli Chocolate melting wafers, but I quickly realized they’re ALL flavored. When I tasted a Sweet Tooth Fairy chocolate wafer, it tasted just like many of the candy bars I love.
A quick note about silicone molds. In my ignorance, I ordered on-line from China and received what was intended to be silicone 2 ½” molds. What I received was two flimsy, puckered molds that show the dents when the chocolate balls are popped out. See my photo. While I was at Michaels, I found very sturdy 2 ½” molds along with every other kind of silicone mold I could imagine. Take your time to find the right molds and you will be very satisfied.
Finally, we had Hot Cocoa Bombs! The tester was my 4-year-old grandniece. Once we both agreed that she should not eat it, it was time to try it. Her joyful squeal when the marshmallows popped out of the Hot Cocoa Bomb was well worth my drama. She melts my heart.
The Bakery Station website
What are Hot Cocoa Bombs?
All Things Hot Cocoa Bombs
The Bakery Station - Another - How to make Hot Cocoa Bombs.
The Bakery Station - Start a home baking business at home.
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