# Ingredients:
→ Hot Chocolate Base
01 - 4 1/4 cups whole milk
02 - 7 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
03 - 3.5 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 - 1.75 oz 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), as desired
# Directions:
01 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine whole milk, semi-sweet and white chocolates, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Whisk continuously until chocolates have melted and mixture is smooth and steaming without boiling. Stir in vanilla extract, then keep warm over low heat.
02 - Assemble each polar bear by using one large marshmallow as the head. Attach two mini marshmallows as ears with a dab of whipped cream or melted white chocolate. Use two mini chocolate chips for eyes and one white chocolate button topped with a mini chocolate chip for the nose, securing with toothpick or melted chocolate as glue.
03 - Whip heavy cream to soft peaks using an electric mixer and set aside.
04 - Pour hot chocolate into mugs. Top each with a generous dollop of whipped cream, then carefully place a polar bear marshmallow topper on top.
05 - Sprinkle shredded coconut around the polar bear toppers to create a snowy effect. Decorate with sprinkles or edible pearls as desired.
06 - Serve hot chocolate mugs on a platter accompanied by sugar cookies and peppermint sticks or candy canes for dipping and stirring.
