# What You’ll Need:
→ Hot Chocolate Base
01 - 4 1/4 cups whole milk
02 - 7 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
03 - 3 1/2 oz white chocolate, chopped
04 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
05 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - Pinch of salt
→ Polar Bear Toppings & Treats
08 - 3/4 cup heavy cream, whipped
09 - 12 large marshmallows
10 - 12 mini marshmallows
11 - 36 mini chocolate chips
12 - 12 white chocolate buttons or candy melts
13 - 1 3/4 ounces shredded coconut
14 - 6 sugar cookies (bear paw or round shapes, optional)
15 - 6 peppermint sticks or candy canes
16 - Sprinkles or edible pearls (white, silver, or blue)
# Directions:
01 - In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, semi-sweet chocolate, white chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Whisk continuously until the chocolates melt and the mixture is smooth and steaming without boiling. Stir in vanilla extract and keep warm on low heat.
02 - Use one large marshmallow as the head for each bear. Attach two mini marshmallows as ears using a dab of whipped cream or melted white chocolate. Add two mini chocolate chips for eyes and one white chocolate button with a mini chocolate chip as the nose, securing with a toothpick or melted chocolate.
03 - Whip the heavy cream to soft peaks and set aside.
04 - Pour hot chocolate into mugs. Top with a generous dollop of whipped cream, then place a polar bear marshmallow topper on each mug.
05 - Sprinkle shredded coconut around the polar bear toppers to create a snowy effect. Add sprinkles or edible pearls for decoration.
06 - Serve on a platter with sugar cookies and peppermint sticks or candy canes on the side for dipping and stirring.
