Healthy Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallows are so festive and special for the holidays! These real food, naturally sweetened marshmallows are easy to make, a fun treat to snack on, delicious in hot chocolate, and perfect as a homemade holiday gift!
Chocolate dipped peppermint marshmallows are the perfect holiday treat!
It's no shocker that I love healthier treats.
I'm a sucker for hot chocolate, cookies, cake and all that jazz.
But I'm especially fond of big, fluffy, homemade, healthy chocolate peppermint marshmallows.
When I was a little girl, my grandma always made me hot chocolate with marshmallows every morning when I was visiting her. I hold that special memory very close to my heart.
My love for this delicious pair never faded, but I did make the change to healthier versions.
When I became a mom I started making my own homemade marshmallows. It became a tradition for the holiday season.
My girls and I ALWAYS make several different holiday cookies (just like I did with my grandma and my mom every year) and several different varieties of marshmallows (some for us to eat, some for Santa, and some to give away as gifts).
Faces always light up with a smile every time they see a little package full of homemade marshmallows.
Marshmallows are nostalgic, everyone tends to have a fond memory of them.
These healthy chocolate peppermint marshmallows are extra special because they're a delicious seasonal flavor and they're dipped in chocolate! How fun is that? Fluffy marshmallows + chocolate! Yes please!
My girls and I like to wrap them up in some unbleached parchment paper, tie a pretty ribbon or some twine around it, and make a little label or card. Other times we'll stick parchment paper wrapped marshmallows in a pint mason jar and tie a bow around it. It's such a fun gift to give to family, friends and neighbors.
Real food chocolate dipped peppermint marshmallows are easy to make and nourishing too!
Yes I said nourishing! When you use quality, grass-fed gelatin, with natural sweeteners, then you turn this treat into a healthier dessert.
Store-bought, mainstream marshmallows - the kind that most of us grew up with, are made with really poor quality gelatin which has no nourishing value. They're also packed with unhealthy ingredients like corn syrup and blue food dye. No thanks! That is not something I am comfortable serving to my family.
If you're new to HEALTHY, nourishing grass-fed gelatin, it's basically cooked collagen and made up of collagen protein, just in slightly different form. The biggest difference between collagen and gelatin is that gelatin will gel or thicken when cooled. Perfect Bovine Gelatin allows you to easily get the nutrients of collagen via an all natural, Brazilian pasture raised and grass-fed source (source).
Grass-fed gelatin is known for helping improve skin, gut-function, restore and build muscle, support joint health and so much more.
My favorite grass-fed gelatin is Perfect Supplements Perfect Bovine gelatin. I also LOVE their Perfect Collagen (my family has been using it daily for over 2 years).
I only recommend using quality grass-fed gelatin. Knowing the source and where the gelatin comes from is very important to me.
I can't say enough good things about Perfect Supplements. They truly care about the quality of their natural supplements and products. Perfect Supplements Bovine Gelatin is 100% pesticide and hormone free, non-GMO, lab tested with proof of purity, and high protein {98%}.
I use grass-fed gelatin for making homemade marshmallows, homemade gummies, freezer fudge, custard, pudding, hot chocolate, pies, "jello" and more.
Quality is always my first priority, but Perfect Supplements also just happens to have an awesome price point. Compared to other brands, their cost per gram of gelatin is very reasonable and the best that I have found.
BONUS: I want to share my Recipes to Nourish Perfect Supplements 10% OFF coupon code with you! Just follow the link here and enter NOURISH10 at checkout for 10% off your entire order.
Healthy Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallows
Healthy Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallows
Healthy Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallows are so festive and special for the holidays! These real food, naturally sweetened marshmallows are easy to make, a fun treat to snack on, delicious in hot chocolate, and perfect as a homemade holiday gift!
Ingredients
For the Marshmallows
- 1 cup filtered water, divided
- 3 tablespoon Perfect Supplements Bovine Gelatin
- 1 cup light colored, pure, real honey
- ¼ teaspoon mineral-rich salt ( this is my favorite sea salt)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon pure peppermint extract or 1-2 drops of therapeutic food-grade peppermint essential oil (I buy mine at 24% off here)
- ¼ cup arrowroot starch, organic powdered sugar or powdered maple sugar - optional for dusting
For Chocolate Dipping
- 9 oz. stevia-sweetened chocolate chips, allergy-friendly chocolate chips or chopped fair-trade organic chocolate
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil - optional
Instructions
For the Marshmallows
- Line an 8x8 pan with unbleached parchment paper in both directions (so you can easily lift up the marshmallows when they are set). Set aside.
- Assemble your standing mixer with the mixing bowl and whisk attachment (if using a handheld mixer, get it ready with a large mixing bowl). Add ½ cup filtered water to the mixing bowl, then sprinkle the gelatin over the water. Let this sit as you make the honey mixture.
- In a medium-size saucepan (with high edges) add ½ cup filtered water, honey and sea salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat (if using a candy thermometer, place in the honey mixture). Stir constantly as the mixture will start to bubble and get foamy the hotter it gets - stirring keeps it from overflowing. Simmer until it reaches 240 degrees (if you don't have a candy thermometer, this will take about 8 minutes). Remove from the heat and add the vanilla and peppermint extract (if using peppermint essential oil, add it in step 4).
- With the mixer on low, SLOWLY and carefully drizzle the hot honey mixture in a thin continuous stream down the side of the bowl. This should take about 1 minute, that gives you an idea of how slow you need to pour it. ***Remember the honey mixture is extremely hot, so use caution.*** Add the peppermint essential oil now if you're using it.
- Turn the mixer to high and continue whipping until the mixture becomes thick, glossy and has increased in volume, about 15 minutes.
- Turn off the mixer and transfer the marshmallow fluff to the lined pan. Use a spatula to evenly distribute and smooth the top.
- Let the marshmallows sit at room temperature to set for at least 8 hours, best overnight.
- When the marshmallows are set, if using, dust half of the arrowroot powder or powdered maple sugar over the top of the marshmallow. Remove the large marshmallow by lifting the parchment paper flaps and setting on a flat surface or large cutting board (the marshmallow should still be on the parchment paper). Carefully remove the parchment paper from the sides of the marshmallow (it should release easily, just do it slowly). At this point, if you're using it, you can dust the remaining arrowroot powder or powdered maple sugar over the other side of the large marshmallow, then flip back over. Use a large chef's knife to cut the marshmallows into desired size. *** See NOTES below for cutting ideas. ***
Dipping the Marshmallows in Chocolate
- Line a baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place the chocolate and coconut oil in a double boiler over medium-low heat, stirring until the chocolate is melted and glossy. [If you don't have a double boiler, you can use a heat-safe glass bowl over a small saucepan. Add about ½ and inch of water to the saucepan and place the bowl on top of the pan.] Remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 5 minutes, or until chocolate is still thin an glossy, but not too hot to melt the marshmallows.
- Individually dip each marshmallow halfway into the chocolate, then lift it out and gently shake to allow the excess chocolate to drip off. [If you prefer, you can drizzle the chocolate over the marshmallows instead of dipping.]
- Place the chocolate dipped marshmallows on the parchment paper lined baking sheet and allow the marshmallows to rest until the chocolate is fully set. If the chocolate was too hot and started to melt the marshmallows, then pop the whole tray into the freezer or refrigerator for a few minutes to help the chocolate firm up fast.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days (best on days 1 and 2).
Notes
YOU WILL NEED: 8x8 Pan, Unbleached Parchment Paper, Standing Mixer with Mixing Bowl and Whisk Attachment or Handheld Mixer and Large Mixing Bowl, Candy Thermometer {optional}, Spatula, Quality Chef's Knife*** Advance preparation required ***
Yield: Makes about 25 (1-inch) marshmallows. I cut the the rustic edges off first and cut those strips into mini marshmallows, making about 30-40 mini marshmallows. You could also cut the marshmallows into 9 or 12 big squares if you prefer larger squares.
Chocolate: My family loves using Hu Milk Chocolate Simple bars for the chocolate, their dark chocolate bars are great too, espcially the Salty. Hu chocolate chips are a great coconut sugar sweetened option. If cane sugar isn't an issue, Enjoy Life makes great chocolate chips.
Optional: Lightly sprinkle flaked sea salt or finely crushed up organic candy canes (these are gluten free and vegan, they are not Paleo, they do have organic cane sugar) over the wet chocolate.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 25 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 73Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 27mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 0gSugar: 14gProtein: 1g
This nutritional information was auto-generated based on serving size, number of servings, and typical information for the ingredients listed. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circumstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Are you on Pinterest? I pin lots of yummy real food recipes + more there. I have a board just for Gluten Free Treats and Winter Favorites + Christmas too! Come follow along.
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Grass-fed Collagen, Desiccated Liver, Coconut Oil, Liver Detox Support, Ancient Minerals + more!
Renee Kohley
I love that you flecked the sea salt!! My favorite! I have never made marshmallows before but I think I will this year!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Renee!!! You totally have to! Your girls will love helping make them. 🙂
Jean
These are absolutely gorgeous! I've still never attempted making marshmallows, but I think I just might do it this year with your recipe!!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much! I hope you get to make some. They're really simple 🙂
Joni Gomes
I love all of your marshmallow recipes!!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you! 🙂
Raia
Healthy, chocolate, peppermint, marshmallows.... Four of my absolute favorite words ever! Haha! These sound amazing, Emily!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
LOL right?! I wish I lived closer, I'd bring some over to you. xo
linda spiker
You are totally killing me with this one! That chocolate is amazing!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Aww thanks Linda! xo I know we both have a fond love for chocolate 😉
A Girl Worth Saving
Seriously, Emily, this recipe looks AMAZING> I want to eat all of it!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks Kelly!!! xo I hope you get to make some.
Carrie
Oh wow, I'm drooling over these marshmallows, Emily. Looks amazing for the holidays. XO!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks Carrie! 🙂
Megan Stevens
Emily, I didn't remember your other marshmallow recipes to be egg-free. Are they all? That seems amazing!! I can't wait to make these for my little egg-free guy. He will be SOOOO excited. Plus, they're beautiful. Love that chocolate dip!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Yes! 🙂 They're all egg-free, no eggs in any of mine. I hope you get to make some from him. xo
Kari
These are so beautiful, and that sprinkle of sea salt on the chocolate looks amazing!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you so much Kari! 🙂
Lindsey Dietz
Oh man! Must. Make. ASAP!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
🙂 I hope you get to make some xo
Monique
Emily, these are just stunning! I really appreciate the detailed instructions on making the marshmallows too. I'm a bit nervous about making them but your description is super helpful. 🙂
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you so much! You've totally got to make some, you'll do just fine. They're really easy. 🙂
Jo Romero
Love the idea of these, and also that they're so good for you, too. Double win!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Double win for sure! 🙂
Judy Purcell
These are so much better than anything out of the store. Love the added bunus of dipped chocolate too!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you so much! 🙂
Corrine
Store bought marshmallows can't even compare to homemade! These look like such a great treat!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
SO true! Homemade is the best! 🙂
cristina
Can't wait to try these! what a beautiful recipe!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you! I hope you get to try some. 🙂
Carrie Forrest
These look amazing! Thanks for sharing delicious creativity with us!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks! 🙂
ChihYu
These marshmallows are so amazing ! You are the queen of healthy paleo treats !
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Aww thanks! That means a lot to me. 🙂 xo
Holley ThePrimalDesire
SERIOUSLY!??? These look incredible. I'm making them with the nephews for "Santa"
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
I hope you get to make some 🙂
Katja`
I've never made homemade marshmallows before but have always wanted to. These look so good. I think I need to make these NOW!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
You totally should! You'd love them. 🙂
Tessa Simpson
Oh yummy! These would be SO amazing floating on top a hot mug of cocoa!! Great idea to add the mint to them!
Kathryn
For some reason my four year old has recently been asking about marshmallows, which I don't think he's even had before. And, I keep "forgetting" to find some for him at the store. This recipe might just make his year!
Hope
I love these homemade marshmallows, so much healthier than store bought ones! Peppermint, marshmallow and chocolate is a winning combination!