Hot Cocoa & Homemade Marshmallows

I made this for Christmas gifts for the ladies in my Bible study. The cocoa is really good and the marshmallows are easy (& good) if you have a stand mixer.

Hot Cocoa mix:

3/4 cup powdered milk

1/2 cup powdered creamer

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

4 ounces semisweet chocolate (Ghiradelli - baking isle)

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Take the semisweet chocolate and roughly chop it up to give a chunky but consistent size. Mix well with a wooden spoon and then store in a dry airtight container.

Adapted from Tyler Florence's recipe

To make a cup of hot chocolate, simply add 2 tablespoons cocoa mix to 8 ounces hot milk. Top with a marshmallow.

Homemade Marshmallows:

3 packages unflavored gelatin

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Combine the gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and allow to sit while you make the syrup.

Meanwhile, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to high and cook until the syrup reaches 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat.

With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the sugar syrup into the dissolved gelatin. Put the mixer on high speed and whip until the mixture is very thick, about 15 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix thoroughly.

Recipe Courtesy of Ina Gartner