Hot Chocolate Dip

Turn the most comforting drink into a decadent party dip with this 4-ingredient hot chocolate dip, topped with marshmallows and served with cookies and fruit!

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About Hot Chocolate Dip

Enjoy one of the most iconic winter drinks in a new way with this creamy and fluffy hot chocolate dip! It’s perfect for any type of gathering and can be customized each time with a different assortment of cookies, snacks, and fruit for dipping!

What’s in hot chocolate dip?

To serve up this classic drink in decadent dip form, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Cream cheese – Helps create a creamy texture and keeps the dip from being too sweet.
• Hot cocoa mix – The star of the show! I personally recommend using Ghirardelli hot cocoa mix, but feel free to use any type that you like (even homemade!)
• Marshmallow creme – For that extra bit of hot chocolate flavor.
• Cool Whip – To add sweetness and more creamy texture.
• Mini marshmallows – Because all hot chocolate needs a marshmallow or ten! You can use either mini marshmallows or even dehydrated marshmallows.

Do you have to use Cool Whip?

In theory, no – there’s nothing “special” about Cool Whip that would make this dip better (or worse) if you were to use an alternative ingredient, such as homemade whipped cream. Cool Whip does bring additional sweetness and flavor, but most whipped cream is sweetened to a similar amount.

Please note I have not tested this recipe with whipped cream; I’ve only ever used Cool Whip.

Do you have to use cream cheese?

While cream cheese can be an overpowering flavor, I promise there isn’t an overwhelming tartness to this recipe. The cream cheese exists only to provide thickness and consistency, which helps make this dip become “dippable.” The hot cocoa mix, marshmallow creme, and the Cool Whip do the heavy lifting in bringing a pleasant sweet taste.

What should you serve with hot chocolate dip?

After making as many dessert dips as I have, you start to get a feeling for what goes best with these ultra-creamy treats.

Below are some of my best suggestions. Feel free to try one (or as many) as you like!

• Oreos
• Fruit like strawberries, apples, or pineapple
• Pretzels
• Nilla Wafers
• Graham Crackers
• Ladyfinger cookies
• Golden Oreos
• Pretzels
• Sugar Cookies
• Gingersnap Cookies
• Cubes of pound cake
• Crumbled waffle cones
• Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Can you make this in advance?

Certainly! This dip refrigerates very well. You may even want to chill it before serving, to having a firmer texture for the dip.

Once prepared, this dip can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving. When ready to serve, let the dip soften on the counter for 30 minutes, then serve.

How long is hot chocolate dip good for?

Once prepared, hot chocolate dip can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two to three days.

Can you freeze this dip?

Technically, yes – the main dairy ingredients (cream cheese, Cool Whip, and marshmallow creme) freeze pretty well. However, there is a chance that the freeing and thawing process might change the texture of the dip to be more grainy.

But if the above texture concerns do not bother you, then you can freeze hot chocolate dip in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to three months.

How long can you leave out a dessert dip?

Whenever you serve a dip for your guests to enjoy, you should always keep track of how long it sits at room temperature.

For most foods, the general rule of thumb is that a perishable item should not be in the “danger zone” for more than two hours. And by “danger zone”, this is usually at or just above room temperature. This dip will likely be close to room temperature when made, so you should have roughly two hours for guests to enjoy the dip (depending on the temperature of the room). You could extend this time by 30 minutes if you chill the dip before serving.

As the party goes on, you can return the dip to the refrigerator once you get past the two-hour mark. If your guests still want more dip, let it chill for at least 30 minutes before bringing it back out again.

Notes & tips for hot chocolate dip

• For this recipe, I highly recommend using a stand mixer or a hand mixer. This recipe would be difficult to make by hand with a whisk.
• When making this dip, I highly recommend using a quality hot cocoa mix like the one from Ghirardelli. The dept of their chocolate flavors can’t be beat!
• You can infuse other flavors in this hot chocolate dip by using extracts (such as one tablespoon of orange, almond, strawberry, peppermint, or maple extract) or even using flavored hot cocoa mix (such as raspberry, salted caramel, strawberry, or white hot cocoa mix.)

More fun dessert dips

How to make hot chocolate dip

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – Kick things off by using a stand mixer (or hand mixer + large bowl) and whip the cream cheese until nice and fluffy.

Step 2 – Slowly mix in the hot cocoa mix and the marshmallow creme.

Step 3 – Turn off the mixer and use a spatula to gently fold in the Cool Whip.

Step 4 – Transfer the hot chocolate dip to a serving bowl and garnish with mini marshmallows.

Step 5 – Serve and enjoy!