There’s just something magical about a warm mug of hot chocolate when the weather outside is frightful, isn’t there? For me, it instantly takes me back to cozy winter nights by the fireplace with my family. This year, though, I wanted to kick things up a notch, make it feel a little fancy without being fussy. That’s where this Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate comes in! It’s the classic comfort you love, but with this incredible, gooey, slightly caramelized topping that just makes everything taste *extra* special. Trust me, it’s a game-changer!

Why You’ll Love This Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate

Seriously, why wouldn’t you love this? It’s ridiculously easy but tastes like you spent hours making it. Here’s the lowdown on why this recipe is about to become your new winter obsession:

Super Simple to Make: You probably have most of the ingredients right in your pantry already! It comes together in about 15 minutes flat, perfect for when you need a warm hug in a mug, like, *now*.
Rich & Creamy Flavor Bomb: We’re talking deep, chocolatey goodness here. Using good old milk (whole milk is my fav for extra creaminess!) and cocoa powder gives it that amazing, decadent taste.
That Toasted Marshmallow Magic: This is the star of the show! Toasting the marshmallows adds this delightful little caramel note and a gooey texture that store-bought marshmallows just can’t match. It feels so gourmet!
Pure Comfort in a Cup: There’s nothing quite like a hot drink on a cold day, and this one is basically warm, fuzzy blankets in liquid form. It’s perfect for cozy nights in, movie marathons, or just a little pick-me-up.

Ingredients for the Perfect Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to whip up this dreamy drink. It’s a pretty simple list, and honestly, the magic is in how they all come together. For the creamiest texture, I’m a huge fan of using whole milk – it just makes everything taste so much richer, you know? But if you’re more of a skim or 2% person, that works too! And for the marshmallows, I find mini ones toast up beautifully and give you that perfect gooey topping without being too much. If you only have the big guys, just chop ’em up!

Here’s the lineup:

4 cups milk (whole milk recommended for max creaminess!)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (makes it nice and chocolatey!)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (for sweetness, of course)
1/4 teaspoon salt (don’t skip this, it really brings out the chocolate flavor!)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (adds that lovely depth)
1 cup mini marshmallows (or larger ones, chopped!)

Crafting Your Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate: Step-by-Step

Okay, ready to make some magic happen? This part is super easy, I promise! You’ll be sipping on pure comfort in no time. First things first, grab a medium-sized saucepan. We don’t want anything too ridiculously big, or the milk might not heat up as evenly. Into that saucepan go your cocoa powder, sugar, and that little pinch of salt. Give those dry things a quick whisk together – this just helps break up any cocoa clumps and makes sure everything mixes smoothly when we add the milk. You can even make your own luxurious heavy cream at home to add even more richness to this drink if you’re feeling extra fancy! Learn how here!

Now, here comes the creamy part! Slowly pour in your milk, whisking as you go. Keep whisking until it’s all nicely combined and there are no dry bits hiding at the bottom. Pop this saucepan over to the stove and set your heat to medium. You want to heat it up until it’s nice and hot, steaming and cozy, but definitely NOT boiling. Boiling can make milk separate or get that yucky skin on top, and nobody wants that! Keep stirring it gently and constantly while it heats up – this does wonders for preventing scorching on the bottom and keeping it nice and smooth.

Once it’s lovely and hot (but not boiling, remember!), take it off the heat. Stir in that splash of vanilla extract – it adds such a warm, lovely aroma and taste. Now, pour your gorgeous hot chocolate into your favorite mugs. Almost there! For the grand finale, we toast those marshmallows. You can do this a few ways: pop them on a small baking sheet under the broiler for just a minute or two (watch them like a hawk, they burn fast!), or carefully hold them over a gentle gas flame with a long fork. You want them golden and melty, maybe even a little browned and bubbly. Pop those toasty beauties right on top of your hot chocolate, and voilà! Pure happiness.

Tips for the Ultimate Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Experience

Okay, so making the Basic Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate is already pretty awesome, right? But if you’re like me and love to tweak things just a little to make them *perfectly* yours, here are a few little secrets. For starters, don’t be afraid to play with your chocolate! While cocoa powder gives that classic deep flavor, sometimes I like to stir in a couple of ounces of chopped dark or semi-sweet chocolate along with the milk. It makes it even *more* decadent, almost like drinking a melted chocolate bar. Yum!

And spices! Oh, the spices. A tiny pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg stirred in with the cocoa powder can add such a lovely warmth that just screams ‘cozy.’ For a really special treat, I sometimes whisk in a little bit of my easy homemade coffee creamer base right at the end for an extra velvety finish – shhh, don’t tell anyone!

Now, about toasting those marshmallows. My go-to is the broiler, but you HAVE to watch them like a hawk. They go from perfectly golden to burnt charcoal in literally seconds! I usually put them on a little baking sheet and keep the oven door cracked so I can see exactly what’s happening. A kitchen torch is fantastic if you have one, giving you total control. And remember, whisking that cocoa powder, sugar, and salt really well *before* adding the milk is key to avoiding lumps. It’s a little step, but it makes all the difference!

Variations and Serving Suggestions for Your Hot Chocolate

This Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate is already pretty darn amazing, but you know me, I love to play around! For a festive twist, especially around the holidays, a tiny splash of peppermint extract right at the end adds such a delightful zing. Or, if you’re feeling a little adventurous, spice it up with a pinch of chili powder for a Mexican hot chocolate vibe – it’s surprisingly wonderful! Sometimes, I even add a bit of whipped cream and some chocolate shavings on top. It feels so fancy!

And what’s a warm mug of chocolate without something delicious to dunk? This hot chocolate is absolutely divine paired with a slice of my rich triple chocolate cheesecake. Or, for something a little less decadent but just as tasty, try it with some delicate coconut lemon curd thumbprint cookies. The little bit of tartness from the lemon really cuts through the chocolate beautifully!

Storage and Reheating Your Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate

Got some extra Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate? Lucky you! Just let it cool down completely, then pop it into an airtight container or bottle in the fridge. It’ll keep nicely for about 2-3 days. When you’re ready for another mug, just gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave – give it a good stir to make sure it’s smooth again. Please remember, though, those perfectly toasted marshmallows are really best added fresh right before you sip. They tend to get a bit sad and melty if they sit in the warm liquid for too long!

Frequently Asked Questions about Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate

Got questions about this cozy concoction? I’ve got answers! Here are a few things folks often ask about whipping up this Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate, so you can make it perfectly every time.

Can I make this Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate dairy-free?

Oh, absolutely! You can totally swap out the dairy milk for your favorite plant-based option. Almond, soy, oat milk – they all work wonderfully. Just know that using a non-dairy milk might make the chocolate a little less rich and creamy, but it’ll still be totally delicious!

How do I get the perfect toasted marshmallow topping?

The key is to watch them like a hawk! You can use a kitchen torch if you have one for super control and even toasting. Or, pop them on a baking sheet under the broiler for just a minute or two (seriously, watch constantly!). A quick dance over a gas stove flame works too. You want them golden and gooey, not burnt!

Can I make the hot chocolate base ahead of time?

Yes, you sure can! Make the chocolate base just like the recipe says, let it cool, and then tuck it into an airtight container in the fridge. It’s good for about 2-3 days. When you’re ready for a mug, just gently reheat it on the stove or in the microwave. Remember to add your toasty marshmallows fresh right before you serve it, though!

Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates, okay? What you end up with can vary a bit depending on the exact milk you use and how much sugar you sneak in! But for about a 1-cup serving, you’re looking at roughly 300 calories, 10g of fat (about 6g saturated), 8g of protein, and a good dose of carbs and sugar. It’s a treat, for sure!

Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A rich and creamy hot chocolate with the added flavor of toasted marshmallows.

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups milk
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions

In a saucepan, whisk together cocoa powder, sugar, and salt.
Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.
Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until hot but not boiling.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
Pour hot chocolate into mugs.
Toast marshmallows under a broiler or over a gas flame until golden brown.
Top each mug of hot chocolate with toasted marshmallows.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use whole milk.
You can add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra spice.
If you don’t have mini marshmallows, you can cut larger marshmallows into smaller pieces.

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 300
Sugar: 45g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: hot chocolate, toasted marshmallow, cocoa, chocolate drink, winter drink, dessert drink