It's the Bomb!

Inspired by the chocolate masters of Italy, Eric Torres-Garcia left the world of finance behind to create his own delicious confections—Cocoa Bombs.

- CHRIS MANN

In the spring of 2019, two years into pursuing his master’s degree in finance in Turin, Italy, Eric TorresGarcia found himself increasingly drawn to a more creative, sweeter calling. “Turin is very passionate about its confection industry,” says Torres-Garcia, 25. “I saw and experienced a lot during my time there—and the chocolate made a big impression on me.” Months into an unfulfilling accounting job he took when returning to the U.S. that fall, lingering visions of a popular European Easter egg treat inspired Torres to transform hot cocoa—and his life.

“One December morning, I got up and felt a great urge to start playing around with this idea,” he recalls. “I bought around $15 worth of ingredients, came home, and started attempting a prototype. After many failed attempts, I finally ended up getting a good version.”

Torres-Garcia’s video of the results, featuring a hollow chocolate orb suddenly bursting forth with hidden mini marshmallows and hot cocoa under a cascade of steamed milk, received over 2.5 million views on Tik-Tok. The video’s title: “Would anyone buy these?” The world’s answer: “By the boatloads.”

Two years later, TorresGarcia’s CocoaBombs.com remains the overnight candymaker’s magic ticket to culinary success. His tasty treats are now shipped worldwide and available in select stores and bakeries. What’s more, he shares with readers how to whip up seasonal, special-event, and everyday chocolaty explosions in his new book, Cocoa Bombs: Over 40 Make-at-Home Recipes for Explosively Fun Hot Chocolate Drinks.