Spiced Hot Chocolate w/ Marshmallows

Remember the days when we were all complaining about how hot it was, how humid it was, how unbearable the summer heat was? Seems like yesterday and now we’re all getting cozy with light sweaters, scarves and have taken the boots out of the closet!

Our meals are changing as well. Say goodbye to gorgeous tomato salads and definitely say adios to peaches! It’s not a sad goodbye, mind you. We’ll be saying hello to gorgeous pumpkins, tart apples, crisp pears and so much more produce that the Fall season brings us. If you aren’t in a country where Fall is present as of now, worry not! You can still find great produce around your area and adapt the recipes to whatever you have on hand.

We’ll start slowly though, so the transition doesn’t shock you. Take your hand off the ice cold lemonades and wrap your hands around a mug of Spiced Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows. These aren’t your grocery marshmallows, those airy puffs with no personality. These are 240Sweet Marshmallows out of Columbus, Indiana, where partners Alexa Lemley and Samantha Aulick hand-craft these artisan sweets. They are huge, and come sealed in a package of three puffs that will surely last you a while! They come in almost any flavor imaginable, so you’ll definitely find one you love and can purchase them online as well.

Samantha and Alexa sent me a mallow tasting, how I like to call it. Flavors included were: Fruit Punch, Dark Chocolate Chip Coconut (the one used with the Spiced Hot Chocolate) and Bourbon Sugar Churro with Cajeta. Out of the three, the Bourbon Sugar was my favorite. Made with local goat’s milk, the cajeta is laced through the mallow, while the Bourbon Sugar coats it, giving it a delicious crunch and memories of churro eating!  Floating the Dark Chocolate Chip Coconut in the hot chocolate added a layer of flavor with the sweet coconut that complemented the cardamom well. Out of the three, Fruit Punch was my least favorite. Just couldn’t get around the mix of flavors that reminded me of artificial candies. I did have an epiphany with these and still need to try but how does Rice Krispies sound, made from Fruit Punch mallows and Fruity Pebbles?! Yeah, I’ll get back to you on that one…In the meantime, here’s the hot chocolate recipe:

Spiced Hot Chocolate
Unlike the typical cinnamon overdose, this hot chocolate omits cinnamon and relies on other gorgeous spices and citrus to make it unique. Topped with 240sweet mallows, this hot chocolate will be like nothing you’ve ever had!

2 cups whole milk
cardamom pods, about 3-4
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
sugar, to taste
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips 

1. In a small saucepan, simmer milk, cadamom, nutmeg, vanilla, sugar and salt. Turn off heat and steep for 15 minutes. This will infuse the spices all throughout the milk. 
2. While steeping, melt the chocolate chips in microwave safe mugs in which you’ll serve it. Careful to not scorch it, check every 30 seconds and stir. When melted, stir in orange zest.
3. Strain cardamom pods and re-heat milk to desired temperature. Pour over melted chocolate and orange zest and stir until combined.
4. Serve topped with 240sweet marshmallows, which will melt slowly creating a sweet froth and a zesting of orange zest for a spark of color!

Note: For a quicker process, steep milk ahead of time and have it in the fridge ready to go. When adding sugar to hot chocolate, remember the marshmallows will add sweetness to the drink as well. 

Disclaimer: Marshmallows were sent free of charge. All opinions are 100% honest and based on my personal experience with the product. I was not monetarily compensated for a positive review.