Hot Chocolate With Homemade Espresso Marshmallows

Come in from the cold and sip on this creamy and warm hot chocolate with an added espresso pick-me-up. For an indulgent treat, try making these light, fluffy and delicious homemade espresso marshmallows. Recipe courtesy Chuck Hughes

• Ready In: 1 hr 35 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 20 marshmallows

Ingredients

• Marshmallows

• 1  tablespoon/ 15ml canola oil
• 6  sheets  gelatin or 4 teaspoons gelatin powder
• 1⁄2  cup/ 125ml brewed espresso or very strong coffee
• 1 1⁄2  cups/ 375ml granulated sugar
• 1  tablespoon/ 15ml pure vanilla extract
• 2  tablespoons/ 30ml confectioners' sugar
• 2  tablespoons/ 30ml cornstarch

• Hot Chocolate

• 2  cups/ 500ml 35-percent  cream
• 2  cups/ 500ml milk
• 1⁄3  cup/ 80ml confectioners' sugar
• 2  cups/ 500ml chopped dark chocolate
• 1⁄2  cup/ 125ml  brewed espresso

Directions

1. For the marshmallows:
2. Line a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan (33 by 23 by 5 centimeters) with plastic wrap and lightly brush with the oil.
3. If using gelatin sheets, soak them in 2/3 cup (80ml) cold water in a shallow pan for 10 minutes. If using powdered gelatin, let bloom powdered gelatin in the 2/3 cup cold water. Then add the bloomed gelatin to the warmed up espresso and sugar mixture.
4. Warm up the espresso with the granulated sugar and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the gelatin sheets and the soaking water and heat until the gelatin and sugar dissolve, about 2 minutes, stirring often.
5. Using a hand mixer, beat the gelatin mixture until it resembles a soft meringue, about 5 minutes. Pour into the lined pan and let stand at room temperature for about 1 hour.
6. Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch, and sprinkle some onto a large cutting board. Invert the marshmallow onto the board. Peel off the plastic wrap and dust the top of the marshmallow with the cornstarch mixture. Cut the marshmallow into squares using a sharp knife. Dip the cut sides of the marshmallows in the cornstarch mixture and shake off the excess. (Serve immediately or store the marshmallows in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.).
7. For the hot chocolate:
8. Heat the milk, cream, espresso and confectioners' sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat, whisking to dissolve the sugar. Add the chocolate and whisk until smooth. Pour into mugs and garnish with marshmallows.