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Two gray mugs of rich French hot chocolate topped with toasted homemade marshmallows sit on a light-colored countertop, with a hand holding one mug. A wooden cutting board with marshmallow pieces and a neutral dried floral arrangement are in the background, creating a cozy, café-style setting.
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French Hot Chocolate with Homemade Marshmallows

Rich, velvety French hot chocolate made with dark chocolate and espresso, topped with fluffy homemade marshmallows for the ultimate winter treat.
Course Drinks

Equipment

Ingredients

HOT CHOCOLATE

  • 2 70% dark chocolate bars chopped
  • ½ cup half & half cream
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 shot espresso
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 pinch salt

HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS

  • butter for greasing the pan
  • 3 tablespoons gelatin
  • 1 ½ cups cold water ½ cup for blooming the gelatin + 1 cup for the sugar syrup
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • splash vanilla extract
  • powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

MAKE THE MARSHMALLOWS

  • First, prep the pan. Grease a small square 8x8 baking dish with butter and dust the bottom with powdered sugar.
  • Next, bloom the gelatin. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add ½ cup cold water and sprinkle the gelatin on top. Let it sit and bloom for 5 minutes.
  • Now, make the sugar syrup. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup cold water, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Heat over medium, stirring until dissolved, then bring to a gentle boil. Let it boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat. Mixture must be at 240F.
  • Next, mix it. Carefully pour the hot sugar mixture into the bloomed gelatin. Using the whisk attachment, beat on high for 10-15 minutes until the mixture becomes thick, glossy, and tripled in volume.
  • Add vanilla extract and mix for another 10 seconds. Immediately transfer the marshmallow mixture to the prepared pan and smooth the top. Dust with more powdered sugar.
  • Let it set at room temperature for 3–4 hours.
  • Finally, cut it. Once firm, turn out onto a powdered-sugar–coated surface, dust the top again, and cut into cubes. Toss the cubes lightly in powdered sugar to prevent sticking.

MAKE THE FRENCH HOT CHOCOLATE

  • In a saucepan, warm the milk and cream over medium heat until steaming (not boiling).
  • Add the chopped chocolate and whisk until melted and silky.
  • Stir in the espresso shot, vanilla extract, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3–5 minutes until rich and thick.

Video