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    Home » Recipes » Recipe Index

    Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows

    Published: Aug 24, 2023 by Jere Cassidy · This post may contain affiliate links. · 6 Comments

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    Indulge in this creamy 4-ingredient Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows for a warm and comforting drink that takes minutes to make, and it's guaranteed to warm you up on a cold day.

    A clear glass mug of hot chocolate with marshamallows.
    Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows

    This page may contain affiliate links; please see my disclosure for policy details.  I earn commissions if you shop through the links on this page.

    You will feel as though you’re sipping on gourmet hot chocolate once you taste it because this cocoa is simply the best. It is rich, creamy, and boasts a bold chocolate flavor with the perfect level of sweetness.

    Jump to:
    • This is just so good!
    • Hot Chocolate Ingredients
    • Variations for Vegan Hot Chocolate
    • ☕How to make Hot Chocolate: Step-By-Step
    • Christmas Hot Chocolate
    • Cookies and hot cocoa
    • Recipe Faq's
    • Pair these recipes with a cup of cocoa
    • Recipe

    This is just so good!

    • Making this hot chocolate from scratch takes just four ingredients and 10 minutes.
    • Skip those bags with the powdered mix that you add water to; this recipe is the real deal and so easy to make.
    • Double the recipe for a big batch to serve at parties.
    • You can adjust this recipe to add other ingredients; there are so many variations.
      • Add a teaspoon of vanilla for a subtle floral flavor or add more cocoa powder if you want a stronger chocolate flavor
      • How about hot chocolate coffee? Make a cup of coffee and add the hot chocolate like you would cream.
      • Add some spice to your cocoa with cinnamon, or even a little cayenne pepper.

    Hot Chocolate Ingredients

    Milk - I prefer whole milk because I love the creaminess, but 2% milk will be delicious too!

    Sweetened condensed milk- I use full fat, but reduced fat will work. Make sure you are not using evaporated milk. By adding this milk, you don't need to add sugar, and this is what makes this hot chocolate sweet, creamy, and velvety. It's like a magical ingredient.

    Unsweetened cocoa powder - There are many brands, so use your favorite.

    Marshmallows - Add both big and small ones, and if you can find peppermint marshmallows buy a bag because they add a nice minty flavor.

    Variations for Vegan Hot Chocolate

    Many of you have asked for options to make this hot chocolate vegan, and I have solutions for you.

    • For the milk, you can use any plant-based milk you like.
    • Luckily, you can now get Sweetened Condensed Oat Milk, or Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk.
    • Try these vegan and gluten-free marshmallows called Dandies, which come in mini or large sizes.

    ☕How to make Hot Chocolate: Step-By-Step

    Step 1. In a small bowl, whisk the condensed milk and cocoa powder until the mixture is smooth.

    Consensed milk and cocoa powder.
    Condensed milk and cocoa powder
    Creamy chocolate and milk in a clear bowl.
    Mixed chocolate and milk

    Step 2. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, add the milk and heat over medium heat to get it warm. Make sure the milk does not boil.

    Step 3. Whisk in the chocolate mixture and continue heating the milk over medium-low heat until it's steaming and heated through. Make sure to stir continuously so the milk doesn't scorch.

    Heating milk in a saucepan.
    Heat the milk
    Whisking chocolate into milk in a saucepan.
    Whisk in the chocolate

    Step 4. Turn the heat to medium-low and keep whisking until the chocolate and milk are combined. Cook and stir constantly until the desired temperature is reached. Just make sure you do not boil this, as it will scorch the bottom of the pan.

    A ladle of hot chocolate in a large saucepan.
    Get your mugs ready

    Step 5. Ladle the hot cocoa into mugs and top with marshmallows. Give those marshmallows a few stirs to get them soft and melty. Enjoy!

    Two mug of cocoa with marshmallows and peppermint candies.
    Peppermint Hot Cocoa

    Add some crushed peppermint candies or even crushed candy canes on top of the marshmallows; you will love the minty flavor.

    Christmas Hot Chocolate

    There is something about having hot chocolate while wrapping presents, singing carols, or watching the snowfall. Set up a hot chocolate bar with all kinds of toppings and pour the hot chocolate into your crockpot to keep it warm for the evening.

    Peppermints, whipped cream, sprinkles and marshmallows.
    Create a Hot Chocolate Bar

    Everyone loves adding their favorite toppings.

    • Peppermint sticks
    • Crushed peppermint candies
    • Marshmallows
    • Chocolate for grating
    • Whipped Cream
    • Sprinkles
    • Plus, add your favorites

    We like to stick the peppermint stick into a big marshmallow and stir it around. The kids love this, and it looks so festive. The marshmallow melts and gets creamy, and the peppermint stick adds, well...pepperminty flavor!

    Snowmen mugs with hot chocolate.
    Candy Cane Hot Chocolate

    Cookies and hot cocoa

    Bake these cookies for a sweet treat with your hot cuppa chocolate.

    • For an old-fashioned flavor, bake a batch of these Triple Ginger Cookies.
    • These Double Chocolate Cookies are rich and chewy for even more chocolate flavor.
    • Try dipping these Jeweled Nut Biscotti into your mug.
    • These are Santa's favorites, so bake plenty of these Christmas Sprinkle Cookies, that have a surprise chocolate middle layer.

    Recipe Faq's

    Can I use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk in this hot chocolate?

    For this recipe, you have to use condensed milk because it contains sugar, and that is the only sugar added to this recipe. Evaporated milk does not contain sugar.

    Pair these recipes with a cup of cocoa

    • Three stacks of chocolate chip cookies on a white plate.
      Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Madeleines on a wire cooling rack.
      Cinnamon Madeleine Cakes
    • A three layers chocolate cake with choclate frosting on a white plate.
      Chocolate Fudge Cake
    • A white bowl full of caramel popcorn
      Easy Homemade Caramel Apple Popcorn
    Rolling pin graphic with flowers.

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    Recipe

    A clear glass of cocoa with marshmallow.

    Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows

    Jere' Cassidy
    This Hot Chocolate with Cocoa Powder is so creamy and velvety smooth, it will totally be your go-to drink for chilly weather or when you have a craving for something chocolaty.
    5 from 64 votes
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    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 481 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 3 quart enamaled dutch oven or just a 3 quart saucepan
    • 1 Large wire whisk
    • 1 Soup Ladle

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 cups milk whole milk or 2%
    • 14 ounce sweetened condensed milk
    • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • marshmallows, large

    Instructions
     

    • In a small bowl whisk the sweetened condensed milk and the cocoa powder together until thoroughly combined.
    • In a large saucepan over medium heat and add the milk.
    • Once the milk starts getting warm add the chocolate mixture and whisk until it is totally combined.
    • Continue cooking the hot chocolate until it gets steamy and hot over medium-low heat. Stir continuously and do not boil or the mixture will burn the bottom of the pan.
    • Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs and top with marshmallows.
    • Store any unused hot chocolate in a sealed container and refrigerate for up to two days.
    • You can reheat the hot chocolate on the stove or in the microwave.

    Notes

    Notes: 
    Adjust the heat as needed to make sure the hot chocolate doesn't boil.
    To serve hot chocolate for parties, transfer the mixture to a crock pot to keep it warm.
    Variations:
    • Add spices along with the cocoa powder, like cinnamon, vanilla, or cayenne pepper.
    • Add peppermint extract for a minty flavor.
    • Add espresso powder for a mocha flavor. 
    For vegan options try these options
    Milk- Use any type of plant-based milk you like.
    Use Sweetened Condensed Oat Milk or Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk
    There are even vegan and gluten-free marshmallows called Dandies and they come in mini and regular size. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Calories: 481kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 17gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 220mgPotassium: 843mgFiber: 3gSugar: 66gVitamin A: 660IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 591mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Follow me on Facebook @onehotoven and tag #onehotoven to show me your dish!

    First published: Oct. 3, 2022, Last updated: Aug. 24, 2023 for better readability.

    Thank you for stopping by the One Hot Oven blog.  Please leave a comment to say Hello, or just let me know what you are baking these days, I always love hearing from fellow bakers. Have any questions or want to chat about the recipe? My contact information is on my About page, and I’ll be happy to help.                                                                                                                                                    

    About Jere'              

    From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending.  Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven sharing both sweet and savory family-friendly recipes for your cooking and baking inspiration.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Amy Liu Dong

      October 06, 2022 at 6:54 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of my favorite holiday drinks. It is so delicious and so easy to make.

      Reply
    2. Nancy

      October 06, 2022 at 11:52 am

      5 stars
      Such an easy recipe that's perfect for making hot chocolate quickly.

      Reply
    3. Dee

      October 05, 2022 at 4:14 pm

      This hot chocolate sounds like a treat. I can't wait to try this.

      Reply
    4. Elizabeth

      October 05, 2022 at 12:52 pm

      5 stars
      This hot chocolate looks seriously tasty. I’m curious, do you think you could make it vegan?

      Reply
      • Puranjay

        August 23, 2023 at 1:29 pm

        You may get vegan marshmallows (Dandies), and substitute milk products with vegan options like oat milk.

        Reply
        • Jere Cassidy

          August 24, 2023 at 6:52 pm

          Thanks for this information, I added it to the post.

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