10 Minute Warm & Gooey Hot Chocolate Dip

Hot chocolate dip is about to take your household by storm… just wait. A cozy mug of hot chocolate is a staple in my home. When the air gets a bit chilly and you want to snuggle up on the couch with a blanket, a warm mug of hot chocolate is right by my side.

You can find us making mug after mug and shoving as many marshmallows on top as humanly possible.

While I typically stick to my normal hot chocolate, I do venture to other hot chocolate treats like these Easy & Fun Hot Cocoa Bombs or these 20-Min Fudgey Hot Cocoa Christmas Cookies.

I may have topped myself because today I’m sharing a recipe that is perfect whether you want a cozy night in or a fun conversation starter at your holiday table.

Hot chocolate dip has a lush base with the creamy mascarpone and heavy cream. The cocoa provides the classic chocolate flavor and marshmallow fluff adds a delightful undercurrent of fluffy texture and marshmallow sweetness.

Why You’ll Love this Warm and Gooey Dip

Chocolate Heaven! Hot chocolate dip has a rich, gooey chocolate flavor that is simply irresistible. The combination of cocoa, cream, and sweetness gives you all the same comforting chocolatey vibes as your favorite hot cocoa.

Oh So Creamy. This recipe has a creamy and velvety texture. The heavy cream, mascarpone cheese and marshmallow fluff give you a smooth and luxurious dip that melts in your mouth.

Warm and Cozy. Just like a cup of hot chocolate, hot chocolate dip gives you all those feelings of warmth and coziness. It’s a comforting treat, especially during colder months or when you’re in need something to warm your bones.

Dip all the things! Load up your tray with everything from fruit such as strawberries and apples to cookies, pretzels, or even brownies. Everyone gets to choose what they dip!

Perfect for Friends. Serving this dip at gatherings or parties is a big conversation starter. People can share what their favorite dipables were while delighting in your culinary innovation.

Ingredients for Hot Chocolate Dip

Mascarpone

Mascarpone is a creamy and mild Italian cream cheese. It adds richness and a velvety texture to the dip and is mild in a way that complements the other ingredients without overpowering them with a cheesy flavor.

Marshmallow Fluff

Marshmallow fluff gives the dip a light, airy texture and a sweet, soft balance to the rich cocoa.

Heavy Cream

Heavy cream is essential for a smooth and luxurious texture. It adds creaminess and helps to balance the cocoa’s intensity. When heated, heavy cream gives the dip a luscious, silky consistency.

Cocoa

Cocoa is the star ingredient that gives your hot chocolate dip its chocolatey flavor. It provides that classic hot chocolate taste and deep, dark color.

Agave Nectar

Agave nectar is a natural sweetener with a lower glycemic index compared to traditional sugar. It adds sweetness to the dip and has a mild, neutral flavor that doesn’t overpower the chocolate. If you prefer, you can sub in honey or maple syrup.

How to Make Hot Chocolate Dip

Step 1: Cream Together the Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mascarpone cheese, marshmallow fluff and agave nectar. This step is crucial for creating the creamy base of your hot chocolate dip without any lumps or bumps.

Step 2: Incorporating the Heavy Cream

Once your mascarpone, fluff and agave are well combined, add the cocoa and heavy cream.

Use a whisk to whip the mixture for approximately 1 minute until the mixture thickens and resembles a chocolate whipped cream.

Step 3: Transfer to a Dish

Transfer your freshly whipped dip into an oven-proof dish. A square casserole dish, a cast iron skillet or even a pie dish (like I used) work here. It doesn’t matter what you serve the hot chocolate dip in, so grab whatever you have on hand.

Spread the dip out in an even layer and add the mini marshmallows on top.

Step 4: Bake & Broil

I loooove this dip warm. Pop in in the oven at 350F for about 5 minutes. Then, broil it for a minute or until the marshmallows get toasty.

Remove it from the oven. The marshmallows tend to blend together and create a shell on top. Before serving, I like to take a knife and swirl it around the top a bit to break up the marshmallow topping and make for easier dipping.

Step 5: Serve with Goodies

This dip is so fun when served with an array of dippable treats. Nilla wafers, graham crackers, and pretzels are excellent choices. Feel free to add some fruits in there like apples, strawberries or even orange wedges.

How to Store Leftover Dip

Cool. The best way to store leftover dip is in the refrigerator. Allow the dip to come to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container. If the dip is too hot when you put a lid on the container, condensation will build in the container and cause for a watered down dip.

Airtight Container. Once cool, transfer the remaining hot chocolate dip into an airtight container.

Cover Surface. To prevent the dip from developing a skin or drying out on the surface, you can place a layer of plastic wrap or parchment paper directly on the surface of the dip before sealing the container. This helps create a barrier that minimizes exposure to air. Do I think this is absolutely necessary? No. But, if you want to be 100% sure your hot chocolate dip is perfect when you’re ready for it again, this is a good extra step to follow.

Refrigerate. Refrigerate the leftover hot chocolate dip as soon as possible. It can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Reheating. When you’re ready to enjoy the leftover dip, you can gently reheat it in the microwave at a low power setting or in the oven until heated through. Stir it periodically to ensure even heating.

Variations to Try

Mint Chocolate Dip

Add a few drops of peppermint extract or a handful of crushed candy canes to your hot chocolate dip for a refreshing minty twist.

White Chocolate Dip

Substitute melted white chocolate chips for the cocoa in your dip recipe to create a creamy, vanilla-flavored white chocolate dip.

Nutella Hot Chocolate Dip

Incorporate Nutella into your hot chocolate dip for a hazelnut-chocolate flavor. Adjust the sweetness level by reducing the amount of agave you use in the recipe.

Spiced Hot Chocolate Dip

Add a pinch of ground cinnamon and a dash of cayenne pepper to your hot chocolate dip for a spicy, Mexican-inspired variation. It’ll have a warming kick to it.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Dip

Drizzle homemade or store-bought caramel sauce over your hot chocolate dip after it comes from the broiler and sprinkle a pinch of sea salt for a sweet and salty flavor profile.

Coffee-Infused Chocolate Dip

Mix in instant coffee granules or espresso powder to give your dip a delightful coffee kick. This variation is perfect for coffee lovers.

Spiked Hot Chocolate Dip

For an adults-only version, you can add a splash of your favorite liqueur, such as Baileys Irish Cream, Kahlúa, or Peppermint Schnapps, to the dip for an extra layer of flavor.