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Cozy Hot Cocoa Bombs with Easy Homemade Marshmallows

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These hot cocoa bombs feature a tempered chocolate shell filled with homemade cocoa mix and fluffy vanilla marshmallows. Drop one in a mug of hot milk for a magical, melty winter treat that’s surprisingly simple to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340g) high-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon (15g) coconut oil or cocoa butter (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (60g) unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-process preferred)
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (30g) powdered milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla powder or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) cold water
  • 1 tablespoon (7g) unflavored gelatin
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) light corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar, for dusting
  • 6 to 8 cups (1.4 to 1.9 liters) warm milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • Optional: crushed peppermint, sprinkles, or edible glitter for decorating

Instructions

  1. Make the Homemade Marshmallows (Day Before or Morning Of): Pour 3 tablespoons cold water into the bowl of your stand mixer. Sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until thick and spongy. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, 1/4 cup water, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and cook until the mixture reaches 240°F (115°C) on your thermometer—about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and pour the …
  2. Temper the Chocolate: Finely chop the chocolate if using bars, or use chips. Melt two-thirds of the chocolate in a double boiler over barely simmering water, stirring constantly. Heat to 115°F (46°C) for semi-sweet chocolate. Remove from heat and add the remaining one-third of chocolate. Stir continuously until the chocolate cools to 88-90°F (31-32°C). Add the coconut oil or cocoa butter if using, and stir until smooth.
  3. Mold the Chocolate Shells: Using a pastry brush or small offset spatula, paint a thin, even layer of tempered chocolate inside each hemisphere of your silicone mold. Cover the edges completely. Place the mold on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 5 minutes until firm but not brittle. Apply a second layer of chocolate and refrigerate again for 5 minutes.
  4. Make the Hot Cocoa Mix: While the chocolate sets, whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar, powdered milk, salt, and vanilla powder (if using) in a small bowl. If using vanilla extract, stir it in and let the mixture dry on a plate for 30 minutes before filling the bombs.
  5. Assemble the Bombs: Gently pop the chocolate shells out of the silicone mold. Place 6 half-spheres on a clean baking sheet. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of cocoa mix into each half-sphere. Add 3-4 small cubes of homemade marshmallow on top. Warm the edges of the remaining 6 half-spheres by pressing them against a warm skillet for 3-5 seconds or using a warm plate. Press each top half onto a filled bottom half, gently sealing the edges. Use a finger to smooth the seam. Refrigerate the assembled bombs…
  6. Decorate (Optional): Once sealed, drizzle melted chocolate over the top and sprinkle with crushed peppermint, sprinkles, or edible glitter. Let the decorations set at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  7. Serve: Place one cocoa bomb in a large mug. Heat 1 cup (240ml) of milk until steaming but not boiling—about 150°F (65°C). Pour the hot milk directly over the bomb and watch it bloom open. Stir gently until the chocolate is fully melted and the cocoa mix is incorporated. Top with extra marshmallows if desired.

Notes

Temperature is everything with chocolate. Keep chocolate between 88-90°F (31-32°C) for best results. Don’t skip the second layer of chocolate—single-layer shells crack easily. Homemade marshmallows are sticky; keep powdered sugar nearby. Seal bombs by warming edges slightly—too cold and they won’t stick, too warm and they collapse. Store filled bombs in a cool, dry place for up to 1 week. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: hot cocoa bombs, homemade marshmallows, chocolate bombs, winter dessert, hot chocolate, cozy drink, Christmas treat, DIY cocoa bombs

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/cozy-hot-cocoa-bombs-with-easy-homemade-marshmallows/