How to Create the Most Epic Hot Cocoa Bar Ever!

There’s something magical about surprising your kids with a cozy holiday treat, and this year, I wanted to take it up a notch. Instead of our usual mugs of cocoa, I decided to surprise them with a full-on hot cocoa bar! From marshmallows and cookies to the cutest snowman toppers, it turned an ordinary evening into something unforgettable. Whether you’re hosting friends or creating a special family night, this setup will make your hot cocoa moment pure Christmas magic.

Here’s what you’ll find in this post:

• The perfect centerpiece to anchor your hot cocoa bar
• How to make adorable Santa Belt Sugar Cookies
• A fun DIY for Whip Cream Snowman Toppers
• A few tips to make your setup look as good as it tastes

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The Centerpiece: Santa Clause 3-Tier Metal Serving Stand

Every hot cocoa bar needs a show stopping centerpiece, and this Santa Claus 3-Tier Metal Serving Stand is it! It’s festive, functional, and the perfect way to keep all your cocoa fixings beautifully displayed.

Here’s how to style it:

• Top Bowl: Pile high with fluffy marshmallows (bonus points for snowflake shapes!)
• Middle Bowl: Fill with hot cocoa packets for easy grab-and-go access
• Bottom Bowl: Add a can (or two) of whipped cream and a few jars of sprinkles for extra cheer
• Extras: I made some Santa Belt Cookies and Whip Cream Snowman Toppers for some extra special treats (continue reading for the full details). We also got these adorable Santa Mugs to go with the Santa theme!

This setup not only looks stunning but keeps everything neat, organized, and accessible,  making it easy for guests (or little hands) to build their own perfect cup.

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Santa Belt Sugar Cookies

No hot cocoa bar is complete without a festive treat—and these Santa Belt Sugar Cookies are the perfect fit!

You’ll need:

• Your favorite sugar cookie dough (or use my go-to recipe!)
• Red, black, and yellow frosting

How to make them:

1. Bake your sugar cookies and let them cool completely.
2. While baking and cooking, mix your frosting. You’ll need red the most, then also a bit of black and yellow.
3. Frost the entire cookie red.
4. Add a thick black stripe across the middle for Santa’s belt.
5. Use yellow frosting to pipe on the buckle…it’s that easy!

These cookies add a fun pop of color and tie in perfectly with the Santa Belt theme of your cocoa bar.

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Whip Cream Snowman Toppers

These adorable Whip Cream Snowmen are the ultimate finishing touch for your hot cocoa bar! They’re fun to make, look amazing in mugs, and taste even better.

Supplies:

• Whip cream
• Marshmallow
• Food markers
• Pretzels
• Mini M&Ms
  

 

Directions:

1. Fill a silicone cupcake liner with whipped cream.
2. Use a food marker to draw a snowman face on your marshmallow (two black eyes, 5 black dots for his mouth, and an orange triangular carrot nose).
3. Add two pretzel sticks for arms.
4. Press in two mini M&Ms for buttons.
5. Freeze for 1–2 hours, then pop them into your favorite holiday mug! (We love these!)

Tips:

• Use a silicone cupcake pan or liners so they pop out easily after freezing. I originally put it directly into a metal tray, and let’s just say they didn’t come out easily.
• Work quickly—the whip cream softens as it warms up!

These are such a hit with kids and make every cup of cocoa extra festive and fun.

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For more holiday hosting showstoppers, visit our Holiday Collection and check out the Decor Steals Journal for more holiday styling tips, DIYs, and recipes that bring magic to every corner of your home.