Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows is warm, rich, and just the right amount of sweet. This easy stovetop version melts in mini marshmallows at the end for extra marshmallow flavor (hello, vanilla) without turning your cocoa candy-sweet.
Pour it into a mug and brace yourself for a pillowy-cap on top and mallow-infused cocoa below. Ready in just 10 minutes, this hot chocolate is perfect for weeknights and adored by kids, grownups, and any Christmas crowd.
Warning: those packet mixes with rock-hard marshmallows won't survive the taste test once you try the homemade version.
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love It
In our house, hot chocolate with marshmallows is a moment no one wants to miss. As a seasoned hostess with make-ahead cocoa mixes, years of setting up hot chocolate bars, and decades of Christmases pouring peppermint hot chocolate into mugs, you can count on this marshmallow rendition to check all the cozy and crowd-friendly boxes.
It's got just the right amount of cocoa flavor and sweetness to make everyone want to gather 'round the pot.
Foolproof Method | Warming the cocoa and sugar to steaming (never boiling), then adding the chopped chocolate off the heat keeps your hot chocolate with marshmallows smooth, creamy, and cafe-worthy.
Marshmallow Magic | Minis sit on the cocoa for 1 minute and get a gentle stir. This tiny step gives you the perfect pillowy cap on top and delectable mallow-infused cocoa flavor below, with extra notes of vanilla. Prefer a vanilla-forward mug? Try my white hot chocolate!
Make-Ahead Ready | Hostess shortcut? Yes, please. Make the hot chocolate base up to 3 days ahead and add the vanilla and marshmallows just after reheating for a no-stress, crowd-pleasing treat. Making hot cocoa for a grown-up crowd? Grab some vanilla vodka and chocolate liqueur and turn it into spiked hot chocolate! Or spice things up with Mexican hot chocolate.
What You'll Need
- Dairy | The dairy you choose determines just how rich your marshmallow hot chocolate will be. I recommend sticking with whole milk for this recipe since the marshmallows add a good deal of richness and flavor. If you want this hot chocolate to read more dessert and less beverage, you can swap in a cup of half-and-half or get real decadent with heavy cream.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder | Cocoa powder adds cocoa flavor without adding fat. For deeper chocolate flavor, use Dutch-process cocoa like we do in our homemade hot cocoa.
- Semisweet Chocolate | It's best to stick to chocolate bars for melting down in hot chocolate. A semisweet chocolate bar (55-70%) is recommended over chocolate chips since certain brands of chips contain stabilizers and don't melt smoothly.
- Marshmallows | Be sure to purchase miniature marshmallows as they melt more easily than their jumbo cousins. Minis also make for the best cocoa toppers! Want the best melt and flavor? Try homemade marshmallows.
- Sugar | While we will be leaning on melted marshmallows to sweeten the pot, granulated sugar is also required for this recipe.
- Pure Vanilla Extract | Vanilla rounds out the flavors in chocolate, and adds a gourmet touch to homemade hot chocolate recipes.
- Salt | Salt is very important for balancing out the sweetness in hot chocolate with marshmallows. A pinch is all you need to make a world of difference!
Smart Ratio (Per Cup)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tbsp Dutch-process cocoa
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup miniature marshmallows
How to Make Hot Chocolate With Marshmallows
Warm to Steaming (Don't Boil)
Add the milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and salt to a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Whisk often and allow it to heat until smooth and steamy. Do not let the mixture come to a boil.
Pro Tip: Stay with the milk — it'll likely heat faster than you think and you don't want the pot to scald. Whisk often and as soon as you start to see steam or bubbles forming along the edges of the pot, remove it from the heat.
Melt in the Chocolate (Off Heat)
Turn off the heat. Add the chopped semisweet chocolate and stir until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Add the Marshmallows (Pillowy Top)
Add the marshmallows and allow to sit for 1 minute to soften. Then, stir gently once or twice for a pillowy-soft topping. Pour into mugs, top with extra miniature marshmallows, and serve warm.
Toppings
If you want to impress guests, prep a hot chocolate bar and pick a few of your favorite Christmas snacks to serve alongside hot chocolate with marshmallows. Whatever you do, don't forget the Christmas cookies!
If you're keeping cocoa night low-key, pick one or two of your favorites from below and use it to top off your cocoa:
- Miniature Marshmallows
- Whipped Cream
- Candy Canes
- Crushed Peppermint
- Chocolate Shavings
- Chocolate Syrup
- White Chocolate Drizzle
- Christmas Sprinkles
Make-Ahead & Reheating
Make-Ahead | Wait to add the marshmallows and vanilla extract until right before serving. Make the hot chocolate base up to 3 days in advance, allow it to cool, and pour into a pitcher. Secure with a tight-fitting lid or cover tightly with plastic wrap.
Storage | Store hot chocolate base up to 3 days refrigerated in a pitcher secured with a lid or covered tightly with plastic wrap.
Reheat | Warm the hot chocolate base on the stovetop in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often. For a quicker reheat, place hot chocolate in individual microwave-safe mugs and microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring after each, until hot. Once hot, add the vanilla and marshmallows and continue as directed. If the hot chocolate has thickened too much, add a splash of warmed milk and stir.
Pro Tip: Making this in advance for a party? Make the marshmallow hot chocolate base ahead, keep it refrigerated, and reheat on low in the slow cooker. Once reheated, add the vanilla extract and marshmallows. Allow to set for a 1-2 minutes and gently stir. Change to the warm setting and allow guests to serve themselves.
FAQ
If chocolate gets too hot, it can separate and become grainy. Turning off the heat before adding the chopped chocolate to milk ensures it melts gently and properly emulsifies.
Yes! You can use oat milk or almond milk in place of regular milk, and be sure to check the chocolate bar for allergens and buy accordingly.
Yes! You can make the cocoa base up to 3 days in advance. Reheat gently to steaming, then add the vanilla and mini marshmallows as directed.
If you'd like to make your marshmallow hot chocolate less sweet, you can either cut the quantity of granulated sugar or mini marshmallows.
If you have jumbo marshmallows, cut them into quarters before adding them to the hot chocolate on the stovetop.
More Marshmallow Treats
Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- ¼ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate bar, finely chopped
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows, plus extra for topping
Instructions
- Add the milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt to a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir often. As soon as the milk is steaming and tiny bubbles appear along the edges of the saucepan. Do not boil. Remove from the heat — about 5-8 minutes.
- Add the chopped chocolate and stir until smooth and completely melted. Stir in the vanilla. Next, add 1 cup of miniature marshmallows and allow them to sit for about 1 minute. Then, stir gently until partially melted and fluffy.
- Pour into mugs, add extra marshmallows on top, and enjoy!
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