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These mugs may just be the very best gift you can give this Christmas.
What they hold and what they symbolize (warm and cozy) just say “Merry Christmas”…and that you actually spent some time (but not hours!) and put thought into the gift.
I just feel like everyone can really get excited about a good, creamy, chocolatey cup of hot chocolate. Especially if it is snowing and freezing cold out.
I know you are probably thinking making homemade marshmallows must be hard, but honestly it took me fifteen minutes of prep time and twelve of those minutes the mixer did all the work.
I promise they are really easy and worth it. Not only for their awesome taste, but you also get to cut them into adorable little holiday shapes. They turn out so cute!
And the cocoa mix?
Well, first of all it is the best cocoa mix you will ever come across. It is universally loved by everyone. Adults, kids, girls, guys… everyone. It is really just perfect and I pretty much never say anything is perfect. I am usually one of those people who think most things can always use a little improvement, but not this.
The cocoa mix is a mix of milk chocolate, dutch cocoa powder and white chocolate. The white chocolate is the secret. There is only a little, but it adds such a nice touch of sweetness and flavor.
Oh, and my other secret?
Roasted vanilla beans. They are amazing and I will be telling you all about them soon. If you don’t have vanilla beans and do not want to spend the money on them you can skip this step, but you guys it is worth it! Just splurge and do it!
Once you have everything together all you have to do is assemble the mugs.
Oh, and I even made some cute recipe printables for you to hang off the side of the mugs. You can find them here or make your own design here or I am sure you can probably find others online too. This is just what popped up when I googled it.
And I will not blame you if you make the mugs and end up deciding they are too cute and too good-looking to give away.
In that case, light a candle, start a fire, put on some Christmas music and enjoy your cozy, creamy hot cocoa.
Homemade Holiday Gifts: Easy Double Chocolate Vanilla Bean Hot Cocoa Mugs + Marshmallows
Ingredients
Vanilla Marshmallows
- 3 packages unflavored gelatin
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/4 cup cold milk
- 2 cups sugar
- 2/3 cup corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 whole vanilla bean, spit half and seeds scraped out (optional)
Double Chocolate Roasted Vanilla Bean Hot Cocoa Mix
- 2 whole vanilla beans
- 3 cups non-fat dry milk
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1-1/2 cups dutch processed cocoa (or regular cocoa, but I really like dutch for this)
- 1 2/3 cups Milk Chocolate Chips
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee
To assemble
- 3-4 mugs
- clear plastic cookie bags
- Holiday ribbon
- Candy canes or red and white striped straws
Instructions
- To make the marshmallows. Lightly spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water and let stand for 10 minutes. In the meantime place a medium saucepan on the stove. Combine the sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup cold milk. Place saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat. Slowly pour the boiling syrup down the side of the mixer bowl into the gelatin mixture. Add salt, vanilla and vanilla bean seeds. Turn the mixer onto medium speed and gradually increase the speed to the highest setting and whip for 12 minutes.
- Spray a rubber spatula. Spread marshmallows evenly into pan using prepared spatula. Spray a sheet of plastic wrap with cooking spray and place, spray side down, on top of marshmallows. Let stand for 2 hours.
- Carefully remove marshmallows from pan. Cut marshmallows into 2-inch squares using a sprayed sharp knife or use mini holiday cookie cutters to cut them into fun holiday shapes. Place powdered sugar in a large bowl. Working in batches, add marshmallows to bowl and toss to coat. Store the marshmallows in an airtight container.
- To make the cocoa mix. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the vanilla beans directly on the grates of the oven and roast for 20 minutes. This step is optional, but it really adds amazing vanilla flavor.
- Remove the beans from the oven and place them in the bowl of a food processor. Puree for 2 to 3 minutes, until most of the bean has been broken up. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and discard any big pieces and place the vanilla powder back in the bowl of the food processor.
- Combine all of the remaining hot cocoa ingredients in a large bowl. Work in two batches, pour half the ingredients from the bowl into the food processor and pulse until the hot chocolate is finely ground. Repeat for second batch.
- To assemble the mugs. Place the bags inside your mugs and spoon the hot cocoa powder into the clear plastic bags. You should have 3 cups total of mix. I mad three mugs with 1 cup of hot cocoa mix in each mug.
- Add the marshmallows right on top of the hot cocoa. I added 1 big handful of marshmallows to each mug. Tie the holiday ribbon around the top to close the bags. Now grab your candy canes or striped straws and stick them right down the center of you mugs (through the center of the marshmallows and cocoa).
- Punch a whole through your recipe cards and slide a piece of ribbon through the hole. Attach the ribbon somewhere on the mug. And start handing out cute little gifts of Christmas warmth and happiness!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Oh, and do not forget to add the marshmallows and whipped cream.
can i have that.
This is such a fun holiday gift. Homemade marshmallows have been on my list for a while and these look so fluffy!
Thanks Laura! I cannot believe you have not made marshmallows yet. You have too!
Homemade is the best type of gift!
Agree! Thanks Kira!
These are adorable! Cannot wait to make them! Where did you find those mugs. So beautiful!
Thanks Ellen! I got the mugs at Pier 1!
Gahhh, these are TOO adorable. Love them so much! Best stuffing stocker idea. And I’ve never roasted vanilla beans before, so I must try that. Plus, the shaped marshmallows are too cute. You really went all out with these.
PS. Is that a Darth Vader ring?! LOL
Thanks Laura! I think you will LOVE roasted vanilla beans! I have a few recipes coming up with them!
And I have no idea what the ring is. I think it is a skull…my brother is going through the weird rings phase. He wants all the creepy ones.
I’ve made homemade cocoa mix as gifts for years and your version sounds amazing! Roasting vanilla beans is a great idea! I can’t wait to give everything a try!. Do you have a favorite instant coffee to use in this recipe? No coffee drinkers in my house, so I’d love some advice in this department. Thanks!
Hey Holly!
Thanks so much!! I am actually not a coffee drinker either, but I just brought my store brands (private selection) Instant Coffee. It works great! Hope that sort of helps!
I never heard of roasting vanilla beans before. How cool!!! I think I need to try it soon.
You have to try it!! So good!
Thanks Aly!
Those are adorable!
hanks Liz!
Found it! It’s the ‘recipe card’ on the assembly portion.
Thank you for sharing this wonderfully cozy recipe! and the little tips on making our own marshmallows!
Thanks so much, Sharon!!
First, thank you for the wonderfully yummy recipe of home-made marshmallows and double chocolate cocoa. I agree these do go hand in hand.
I don’t know if I over read it, but what are the directions for the person receiving this delicious cup of cocoa?
Can they just add 1or 1/2 cup of water then microwave it? I wanted to give these mugs away during a girls camping trip and drink them as well.
Hi! I personally think milk would taste much better, but water will work if needed. Enjoy the mugs! 🙂
These look sooo good! I have never made marshmallows before, but might with this recipe.
I have to know though – where did you get the adorable mugs?? I must have these.
Thanks Kathy!
The mugs are from Pier 1!
This is such a fabulous idea! I love the homemade marshmallows in there too 🙂
Thanks Katrina!
Ok ok ok these are wothout a doubt the most beautiful homemade Christmas presents I’ve ever seen!! I don’t know what’s better: those roasted vanilla beans or those lovely little marshmallows… You always come up with the prettiest ideas, you’re so talented!!
Have a great weekend 😀
Thanks Consuelo!
Mmmmmmm those mugs look and sound delisshh!!
Thank you, Rochelle!
Cocoa, white choco chips and milk choco chips, roasted vanilla beans- pure culinary genius! Absolutely drooling at the thought!
Thanks so much!