Learn to make the best hot chocolate with marshmallows, just in time for the coziest season of the year. It's a rich, creamy delight, easy to whip up using cocoa powder and dark chocolate for unbeatable comfort and velvety goodness in every sip
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Why you'll love this hot chocolate
Looking for the best way to embrace a cold winter day? ❄️ Try a cozy evening with a Christmas movie, a snug blanket, and a heartwarming hot drink! 🥰 It's the perfect time, as I have the ultimate homemade hot chocolate recipe just for you.
Hot chocolate is made by combining real chocolate with bitter cocoa powder and mixing it with milk, resulting in a creamy and intensely chocolatey texture.
This creamy homemade hot chocolate is a delightful treat, best enjoyed with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a handful of marshmallows for an incredibly indulgent experience.
- Indulgent: Hot chocolate with marshmallows, a delightful blend of cocoa, chocolate, and milk. Customize the sweetness to your liking for a comforting and indulgent treat.
- Quick and delightful: This easy recipe uses common pantry items, ready in just 10 minutes—ideal for sharing warmth and joy on chilly days.
- Cozy beverage: Sip on hot chocolate with marshmallows for instant coziness, whether indoors or by the fire. Enjoy togetherness with this delightful companion."
More Hot Drinks
Ingredients you need
*You will find the quantities and complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of the page.
- Milk: Opt for whole milk or 2% milk to achieve a creamier texture in your hot chocolate. For an even richer and thicker consistency, consider using a mixture of half milk and half heavy cream.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Ensure you use unsweetened cocoa powder, not the sweetened breakfast cocoa mix with added sugar.
- Sugar: Choose your preferred sweetener, such as granulated sugar, to add sweetness to your hot chocolate. For added flavor, experiment with flavored sugars like brown sugar. For a healthier alternative, consider using natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey.
- Chocolate: Use semi-sweet chocolate chips or bars for a classic hot chocolate flavor. If you prefer a more intense chocolate taste, opt for bittersweet chocolate. You can also customize your hot chocolate by replacing dark chocolate with milk chocolate or even white chocolate for a unique twist.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhance the flavor of your hot chocolate with either powdered or liquid vanilla extract. Alternatively, you can use the seeds from half a vanilla bean for a natural vanilla flavor.
Materials Needed
How to make homemade hot chocolate
Blend cocoa mixture
Step 1: Place unsweetened cocoa powder with powdered sugar and vanilla (optional) in a saucepan. And pour the milk on top and heat over medium heat until it boil.
Step 2: Add the chocolate pieces and stir until they are completely melted. Then continue to heat on low heat for about 5 minutes while stirring occasionally with a spoon.
Step 3: Pour the chocolate milk into your mug.
Homemade Whipped Cream
- Place heavy cream and confectioner's sugar in a medium bowl.
- Beat with an electric whisk for 3-4 minutes at medium speed until you have a thick whipped cream.
- Pour the whipped cream over the hot chocolate, sprinkle with cocoa powder and add mini marshmallows.
- And enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
- Chocolate Shavings: Garnish your hot chocolate with chocolate shavings or curls for an extra burst of chocolate flavor and an elegant presentation following my homemade chocolate curls recipe.
- Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle homemade salted butter caramel sauce over the whipped cream for a sweet and gooey contrast to the rich chocolate.
- Crushed Peppermint Candy: Crushed peppermint candies or candy canes make a festive and minty topping, perfect for the holiday season.
- Cocoa Powder Dusting: Lightly dust the top of your hot chocolate with cocoa powder for a rustic and cocoa-rich finish.
- Add a Cinnamon Stick or Candy Cane Stirrer: Place a cinnamon stick or candy cane into your hot chocolate as a stirrer. It infuses subtle flavors and looks charming.
Tips for this recipe
- Use Quality Chocolate: Opt for high-quality chocolate or cocoa powder to ensure a rich and satisfying flavor in your hot chocolate.
- Mix with Milk: For a creamy and indulgent hot chocolate, use milk instead of water. Whole milk or 2% milk works well. You can also create an even creamier texture by mixing half milk and half heavy cream.
- Select the Right Chocolate: Experiment with different types of chocolate to vary the taste. Semi-sweet chocolate chips or bars are classic choices, while bittersweet chocolate adds a deeper chocolate flavor. Milk chocolate or white chocolate can be used for a unique twist.
- Heat Gently: Heat the mixture over medium-low heat to avoid scorching the milk or chocolate. Stir constantly to prevent burning or sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Serve Hot: Hot chocolate is best enjoyed piping hot, so serve it immediately after preparation.
Recipe Variations
Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Add a splash of peppermint extract or crush peppermint candies to create a refreshing and minty twist.
Mexican Hot Chocolate: Spice up your hot chocolate with a pinch of ground cinnamon, a dash of cayenne pepper, and a touch of vanilla for a Mexican-inspired flavor.
Mocha Hot Chocolate: Mix in a shot of espresso or strong coffee to create a mocha-infused hot chocolate with a caffeinated kick.
White Hot Chocolate: Replace dark chocolate with white chocolate for a rich and creamy white hot chocolate.
Nutella Hot Chocolate: Add a spoonful of Nutella hazelnut spread to your hot chocolate for a decadent and nutty flavor.
Irish Cream Hot Chocolate: Add a splash of Irish cream liqueur for a creamy and boozy hot chocolate.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa mix?
Hot chocolate is typically made with melted chocolate or cocoa powder and milk or cream, resulting in a richer and creamier beverage. Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder, sugar, and milk or water and tends to be lighter in flavor and texture.
How can I make dairy-free hot chocolate?
You can make dairy-free hot chocolate by using non-dairy milk alternatives such as almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or oat milk. Be sure to choose unsweetened versions for more control over sweetness.
How can I make hot chocolate less sweet?
To make hot chocolate less sweet, you can reduce the amount of sugar or sweetener in the recipe. You can also choose unsweetened cocoa powder and adjust the sweetness to your taste.
How to make a thick hot chocolate?
You can thicken hot chocolate by using a mix of heavy cream and milk. Simply combine the two dairy products and gradually add the mixture to your hot chocolate while stirring until it reaches the desired thickness.
Did you make this recipe?
Remember to drop a ⭐️ 5-star rating 🙏 and share your thoughts in the comments! Stay updated with more delicious recipes by following @sweetlycakes on Instagram. If you whip up this recipe, make sure to tag me – I'd love to see your creation! 😊!
PrintHot chocolate with marshmallows
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 Cups
Description
Best homemade hot chocolate with marshmallows recipe and whipped cream ( for about 3-4 cups)
Ingredients
Hot chocolate
- 500 ml (1 ¾ cup) Milk or plant-based milk
- 1 tbsp Cocoa powder - unsweetened
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar - or maple syrup, honey
- 100 g (½ cup - 4 oz) Chocolate - semi-sweet or bittersweet
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
Whipped cream
- 200 ml (¾ cup) Heavy cream - full fat and cold
- 1 tbsp Confectioner's sugar - sifted
- Marshmallow
Instructions
Hot chocolate
- Place unsweetened cocoa powder with sugar and vanilla extract in a saucepan.
- Add the milk and heat over medium heat until it boils.
- Stir the chocolate pieces into the hot milk and mix to melt and until smooth for about 5 minutes.
- Pour the hot chocolate into your mugs.
Whipped cream
- Place the cold heavy cream with the sifted confectioner's sugar in a medium bowl.
- Beat with an electric mixer for about 3-4 minutes at medium speed until you have a thick whipped cream.
- Pour the whipped cream over the hot chocolate and decorate with cocoa powder and marshmallows.
Equipment
Notes
Storage:
You can store hot chocolate in the fridge for 2-3 days and reheat it in the saucepan or microwave.
- Thicker hot chocolate: Make a 1:1 mixture of semi-skimmed milk and full heavy cream.
- A less chocolatey drink: Reduce the amount of chocolate by ⅓.
- A less sweet drink: Remove the powdered sugar and use a less sweet chocolate (64% or 70%)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: drink, beverage,
- Cuisine: french
Nutrition
- Calories: 393
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 77
- Fat: 31
- Saturated Fat: 19
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 81
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