Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows. Just saying it makes me feel like tossing on some fuzzy socks and grabbing the closest blanket. Honestly, this drink is a superhero when the weather turns gloomy or you need something to impress the kids (worked magic at my last movie night). It’s right up there with a slice of apple sauce cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting or sneaking in one of those peanut butter balls with chocolate rice krispies after dinner. Today, I’ll spill everything about making the best steamy mug of happiness you can imagine. Alright, grab your favorite mug and let’s do this!
Hot Chocolate Ingredients
You don’t need fancy stuff to make classic hot chocolate with marshmallows. I mean, unless you’re aiming for five-star restaurant quality (and who has time for that on a rainy Tuesday?).
Here’s what I use: Milk – whole milk if you want it richer, but low-fat works. Almond or oat milk are fine too. Hot chocolate mix – good old-fashioned powder or actual chopped chocolate, your call. Sugar – totally optional, depends on your sweet tooth. Marshmallows – regular, mini, or whatever’s in the pantry. Pinch of salt – trust me, it wakes up the chocolate flavor.
Pro tip: If you’ve only got water and cocoa powder, that works too. Not as creamy but still gets the job done. The beauty is you can play around with the ratios and types of chocolate till you find your favorite. My cousin once tossed in some crushed caramel chocolate crunch bars and now swears by it. Anyway, start simple, then get jazzy once you nail the basics.
I made this hot chocolate for my kids, and they literally begged for seconds before they even finished their first mugs. It’s now a winter weekend staple in our house!
| Ingredient | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | Base for creaminess | Whole, low-fat, almond, or oat milk all work |
| Hot Chocolate Mix | Chocolate flavor | Can use powder or actual chocolate |
| Sugar | Sweetness | Adjust to taste |
| Marshmallows | Topping and texture | Use regular or mini ones |
| Salt | Enhances flavor | Just a pinch |
Variations for Vegan Hot Chocolate
Listen, you don’t have to feel left out if dairy and you aren’t friends. Vegan hot chocolate with marshmallows is absolutely a thing. Oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk—pick what tastes good. I like oat for that creamy vibe.
Marshmallows can be sneaky since a lot have gelatin (which is not vegan), but you’ll find vegan marshmallows at most big grocery stores, or even online. For sweetness, maple syrup is lovely here. Oh, I’ve tried it with a dash of cinnamon—so good. If you want it extra special, a bit of vanilla makes the whole thing smell like cookies.
If you do everything right, nobody’s gonna know it’s vegan unless you spill the beans. My neighbor actually prefers my vegan version for late-night chats.
How to Make Hot Chocolate: Step-By-Step
Okay, here’s where things get real. You don’t need to go wild with this—just do it on the stove or microwave.
- Pour the milk into a small pot. Heat it gently (don’t walk away, it’ll boil over so fast, trust me).
- Whisk in your hot chocolate mix or chopped-up chocolate. Stir until melted and cozy-looking.
- Add a dash of salt now if you’re using, and a little sugar if you want.
- Pour into mugs, like a slow-motion waterfall.
- Plop on the marshmallows. Don’t be shy. I go for a full snowdrift on top.
Personally, I like to stick the marshmallows on at the last second so they’re still kind of bouncy. The microwave works in a pinch but you lose that slow-simmer magic. I once rushed it and had brown spots all over my microwave. Oops, live and learn.
Making of the Marshmallow Men
This is where you seriously impress your crowd (kids or adults). Turning marshmallows into funny little marshmallow men? Honestly, ridiculous but also adorable.
You need: 3 mini marshmallows and 1 big one per ‘man’, plus some small pretzel sticks and a couple chocolate chips for eyes. Stack two minis, poke in stick arms, and plop a big marshmallow as the “belly.” Use chocolate or an edible marker for faces.
Plop them on top of your mug, even have them “floating” for a pool party look. Fair warning: Mine always come out a little wobbly—like, “did this marshmallow man just roll out of bed?” But everyone loves them, which is all that matters. If you’re ambitious, add scarves from licorice strings for ultimate cuteness. And uh, yes, they melt kind of fast, so it’s a race to enjoy your cocoa before they collapse.
Pair These Recipes with a Cup of Cocoa
You’re making this mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows, right? Well, don’t leave her lonely. Sweet treats take your cocoa from nice to epic, instant-hug-in-a-mug level. Try these combos for full coziness:
- Pair hot chocolate with marshmallows alongside chocolate chip cookie brownies for the ultimate treat.
- Feeling more classic? Nibble chocolate bars between sips.
- For breakfast or brunch, team your cocoa with a breakfast bowl with scrambled eggs and avocado — trust me, it works better than you’d expect!
Once you experience your snacks melting right into the mug, you might never go back to just plain cocoa. Anyone who says you can’t eat dessert with breakfast… probably hasn’t tried this yet.
Common Questions
Q: Can I prep hot chocolate with marshmallows ahead of time?
A: Sure but skip adding marshmallows until serving. They melt quick! Just heat up the milk base, top with marshmallows at the last second.
Q: What if I don’t have a stove or microwave?
A: Go old-school—heat the milk slowly on a camping stove or even in a kettle, then mix in your chocolate and marshmallows in your mug.
Q: Any way to cut down on sugar?
A: Use unsweetened chocolate and just a pinch of sugar or some stevia. The marshmallows will add a sweetness hit anyway.
Q: How do you get that super creamy chocolate texture?
A: Whole milk is king. Or if you’re vegan, choose an extra creamy plant milk (oat works wonders), and melt real chocolate in instead of powder.
Q: Can I add anything extra? A: Oh heck yes. Cinnamon, vanilla, a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candy, even a shot of espresso if you need a kick.
Warm, Fuzzy Feelings in a Mug
Alright, you’re officially set for making the best hot chocolate with marshmallows out there. Keep it simple or jazz it up—totally your call. Whether you want to wow the kids, impress friends at book club, or just treat yourself, this cozy drink never flops. If you find yourself wondering how do you eat hot chocolate with marshmallows? there’s literally no wrong way, according to some fun folks over at reddit. For even more inspiration, check out the expert tips at One Hot Oven® and treat yourself to a little extra sweetness with ideas from Mostly Homemade Mom. Honestly, there’s no bad time for hot chocolate with marshmallows. Try it soon and thank me later!
A Cozy Mug of Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows
Description
Warm your soul with this classic hot chocolate recipe, perfect for chilly evenings, topped with fluffy marshmallows.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pour the milk into a small pot and heat it gently. Avoid boiling over.
- Whisk in the hot chocolate mix or chopped chocolate until melted.
- Add a dash of salt and sugar if desired.
- Pour into mugs and top with marshmallows.