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The family voted to bring back the snickerdoodle hot cocoa flavor this year for our annual family hot cocoa bar..and I certainly wasn't going to argue. It's hands-down one of our favorite flavors we've come up with.

It's creamy and delicious, and absolutely "cozy in a cup"...or mug in this case.

I promise, once you've had a mug of this...I'm not certain you'll ever go back to classic hot cocoa mix again - recipe linked at bottom of post.

Since I'd done the "Boho Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa Bar" previously, I knew I had to come up with ways to make this one unique and a little different.

FOUR DISTINCT DIFFERENCES

Four specific, intentional things I decided to do differently this year was the addition of snickerdoodle cookies to the bar, the creation of cinnamon marshmallows, splurging on some beautiful handmade mugs and plates and the creation of a bulk recipe for Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa Mix - eliminating the need to add brown sugar and ground cinnamon to your mug like we did last time. Bulk recipe linked at the bottom of post.

THE SIGN

Believe it or not, I started designing the background of this sign November 2018...

I just never had time to finish it for our 2018 hot cocoa season. (just one more reason I had my Christmas decor up by Halloween night this year...so I could ENJOY the holidays this go around). Lol.

Anyway, good thing because the whole vibe of the sign compliments the snickerdoodle theme this year. I'm in love with the subtle snowflake details and the Old World charm. (sign tutorial coming)

Framing out the sign with fresh cedar gives a subtle nod to the Christmas season, which I adore.

Knowing we'd be keeping the hot cocoa bar up through February, as in previous years, I wanted something that would transition seamlessly from Christmas and throughout the winter season. (and allow me to use it for Valentine's Day with a few simple changes - that idea is coming soon).

You'll notice in some of the images, I originally only had greenery on the sign and the hot cocoa mix jar but later decided to add it to the glass dome on the cookies and also chose to lay a piece on the small cake stand holding the wood spoons, paper straws, cinnamon sugar shaker, and the cinnamon sticks used for garnish + decor.  It's simple little touches like that that make the overall look feel finished and cohesive. I'm so happy with it.

Sit back and enjoy the imagery...I'm hoping it will inspire you to create your own Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa + Cookies Bar this winter season. Resources listed at the bottom of the post.

I love when home decor doubles as a family treat - don't you?
But seriously, could you see a version of this used at a wedding. Gasp!!

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OTHER BLOG POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY

Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe - Bulk

Cinnamon Marshmallows Recipe

PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.

Subscribe here to have new blog posts delivered right to your inbox.

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RESOURCES:
Glass Dome + Cake Stand - TJ Maxx
Small Marble-Topped Cake Stand - Tuesday Morning
Handmade Mugs + Plates
Cabinet with drawers
Table Runner
Sign - Pen + Paper Flowers
Copper Spoons - Tuesday Morning
Striped Straws - couldn't find striped but here's another option
Marshmallow Jar - juicer jar I had...removed the juicing components.
Glass and Wood Jar for Hot Cocoa Mix
Mini Wooden Scoop for Hot Cocoa Mix
Wood Spoons - Amazon

KEEPING IT REAL
I may or may not have devoured sipped on a ridiculous amount of mugs of snickerdoodle hot cocoa during the month of December. It's just sooooo good.

RECIPE | White Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

I shared our "Simple + Sweet Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa Bar" yesterday.

And today....drumroll please....

White Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix! YEP!!

But why? Why not just stick with the regular ole delicious Hot Cocoa Mix? 

Because you cannot make my super delicious "Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa" without it. That's why!

Which then means you can't create your own "Simple + Sweet Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa Bar". duh!

AND...some people prefer white chocolate.

AND...you can add peppermint and other flavors that won't compete with the good ole regular hot chocolate...chocolate. *wink*

AND...it's SO creamy and SO delicious...and...well...you just need to try it. Trust me on this one.

PRINT THE WHITE CHOCOLATE HOT COCOA MIX RECIPE CARD HERE

(folds into a 4x6 - jpg and .pdf file formats available)

Now...I know you are wanting to try that absolutely delicious Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa I mentioned! Because I'm telling you...you are SO going to love it and thank me for forever...
for creating and sharing it with you!  Pinky promise.

So - baby steps.
Yesterday was the Simple + Sweet Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa Bar - CLICK HERE!
Today is the White Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix - which you will need to make the Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa.
Tomorrow?
Well tomorrow is the debut of the delicious Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa recipe!!
and a super cute printable recipe card too!

UPDATED 12/13: Here's the link to take you to the Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa recipe now posted!!

Love you guys! See you back here tomorrow!!
xoxo,
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL
It took me a few trials and recipe testing to find the perfect White Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix.
The first couple Ella said were okay but she was missing the "chocolate" she was used to.
THIS recipe? This one is a winner.

STYLING | Hot Chocolate Bar

I'm so happy with how our Hot Chocolate Bar turned out this year! (Check out our previous Hot Cocoa Bar)!  I added a couple of new elements that I'm loving and I think you'll love them too!

I was inspired to add some fancy flavored syrups this year after a friend/customer recently ordered the Hot Chocolate Bar Collection from me for a wedding she was putting together this past weekend. She requested some custom labels…which included some fun flavored syrups...and the obsessing for me began.

We stuck to using the same, fabulous homemade Hot Cocoa Mix recipe we've been using for a couple of years now and the 48oz. Anchor Hocking Jar holds the entire batch perfectly - with room for the cute mini wooden scoop.

I stuck with the toppings I knew my girls loved: Mini Chocolate Chips, Mini Marshmallows, White Chocolate Chips, Dark Chocolate Vermicelli Sprinkles and "Crushed" Peppermint this year instead of the whole peppermints I've used in the past.  (just crush up some starlite mints using a rolling pin). I also opted to have Peppermint Stir Sticks on hand to be used as stirrers - besides, they are a fun way to add a pop of peppermint to your mug of hot cocoa!

So let's talk about what's NEW: Flavored Syrups!

These are the same types of syrups added to your fancy Starbucks coffees!

These are SO simple to make and inexpensive to purchase.

There are SO many flavor options out there but I stuck with two to keep things simple:

French Vanilla syrup - store-bought from Target for $3.99 on the coffee aisle

Peppermint syrup - homemade using 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar + 1 tsp. Peppermint extract - so easy! You could even use a candycane or peppermint hard candy in place of the Peppermint extract but I didn't want my syrup to be red - you can choose to do that if you want to!!

I LOVE that you can add a few pumps of the syrup to change up the flavor of your hot cocoa!! (I think I've had to add about 5 pumps to mine but my mugs are pretty big). 

The syrup dispensers are actually SOAP dispensers I picked up from Kirkland's a few month's back. They work GREAT!!  I did see some at Target this week that look almost EXACTLY like the ones shown here - a little more narrow but the same bronze finish on the dispensers. Fun, right?

The other NEW elements I added this year is a bottle of Caramel Drizzle + a small tub of Sea Salt.

You know where I'm going with this!! I LOVE the salty + sweet combo so I had to take advantage of the opportunity to include it as an option for the Hot Chocolate Bar. 

So with the new syrups along with the caramel and sea salt, I've come up with THREE FLAVOR FAVORITES!!

Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa

Mix up a mug of Hot Chocolate. Add 3-5 pumps of French Vanilla Syrup.

Top with marshmallows. Cover with whipped cream. 

Drizzle on some caramel and add a tiny sprinkling of sea salt to finish. YUM!!

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Mix up a mug of Hot Chocolate. Add 3-5 pumps of Peppermint Syrup.

Stir with a Peppermint Stir Stick if you like.

Top with marshmallows. Cover with whipped cream.

Sprinkle on crushed peppermint. TASTY!

Double Chocolate Marshmallow Hot Cocoa

Mix up a mug of Hot Chocolate.

Add a spoonful (or two) of mini chocolate chips. Stir.

Top with marshmallows. Cover with whipped cream.

Sprinkle mini chocolate chips and mini marshmallows on top.

Finish with dark chocolate vermicelli sprinkles! DELISH!

This year is the first year I've included the infamous Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Cookies as part of our Hot Cocoa Bar. The Pepperidge Farm Chocolate Hazelnut is my favorite but there's also a French Vanilla Pirouette option if you prefer! They don't take up a lot of space and fit in a jar nicely. My girls are loving them.

I've mentioned in the past that I prefer the mini dehydrated marshmallows over the normal, soft mini marshmallows but I decided to make a place for both options on the bar this year.

We are REALLY enjoying it - as always!
It's such a fun thing to put together and because I didn't style it "Christmasy" we can keep it up for New Year's and continue to use it throughout the entire winter season!

One thing I will definitely be adding next year is a to-go cup option - with a lid.
I'm missing the mini Kraft Ripple to-go cups from last year and want to have the 16oz. Kraft Ripple Coffee Cup sizes available to be able to send people off with a nice, warm cup of Hot Cocoa!

I hope you love how it turned out!

MORE HOT COCOA BAR INSPIRATION
Baby It's Cold Outside Hot Cocoa Bar
Cabin in the Woods Hot Cocoa Bar

The printables are NOW AVAILABLE IN THE SHOPPE!

The Collection includes 4 different Chalkboard Posters and TONS of labels - including 3 different styles - round, square or rectangular.

Email subscribers have been notified of the new collection and have been sent a special coupon code to save $5 OFF - must be used by midnight on Christmas Day. 

Aren't a subscriber yet? SIGN UP HERE to (1) receive special promotions, (2) be the first to know about new collections and art prints and (3) receive FREE printables too!

Hoping you all are enjoying your holiday season!
It was the last day of school for the kids today so it's officially Christmas break!
I'm looking forward to it!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Those soap dispensers were actually being used in the master bathroom.
So…when I snagged them for the Hot Cocoa Bar, I rinsed and re-rinsed and soaked those bottles and pumps really, really good.

Would you believe the first couple of squirts of the syrup STILL had a hint of soap and bubbles in them?! So be warned! If you recycle some soap dispensers from around your own house…test them out to make sure all of the soap is REALLY out of them before offering any to your family and friends! Ha!!