Tuesday Recipe: Homemade Hot Cocoa and Marshmallows
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When was the last time that you made hot cocoa? We aren’t talking that powdered packet stuff available everywhere but rather the homemade in a saucepan variety. Take some time this holiday season to enjoy the process and the taste of real, rich hot cocoa.
If you are feeling rather adventurous, add homemade marshmallows!
Be sure to share this recipe with family and friends to warm their holiday season! |
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Homemade Hot Cocoa
Hands-On Time: 2 minutes • Ready In: 5 minutes • Yield: 1 serving |
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
- whipped cream
- ground cinnamon
Directions
- Heat milk until very hot, but not boiling.
- Combine cocoa powder and sugar in a heat-safe cup.
- Pour milk into cup and stir until sugar and cocoa dissolve.
- Add vanilla and stir again.
- Top with real whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon, if desired.
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Homemade Marshmallows
Prep Time: 35 min • Inactive Prep Time: 4 hr 0 min • Cook Time: 10 min |
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Ingredients
- 3 packages unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup ice cold water, divided
- 12 ounces granulated sugar, approx. 1 1/2 cups
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- Nonstick spray
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Directions
- Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the water. Have the whisk attachment standing by.
- In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.
- Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans as follows.
- Combine the confectioners’ sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.
- When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
- Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioners’ sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
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Tags: chocolate drink, classic hot cocoa, holiday recipes, hot chocolate recipe, kid friendly recipes, made from scratch, winter beverages
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, December 24th, 2013 at 10:00 am and is filed under Drinks, Recipes.
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