Hot Cocoa with Whipped Marshmallow Frosting
Rich hot cocoa topped with fluffy marshmallow whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint, inspired by snowy mountain adventures. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 12 minutes, brings together whole milk, heavy cream, unsweetened cocoa powder for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 2, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup chilled heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp crushed peppermint candies
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, whisk together 2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, and 3 tbsp granulated sugar over medium heat until the mixture is hot but not boiling and the cocoa is fully dissolved, about 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp pure vanilla extract for warmth and depth.
- Step 3: In a chilled bowl, whip 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream with 1 cup mini marshmallows using an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form and the marshmallows are incorporated, creating a light frosting.
- Step 4: Pour the hot cocoa into mugs and generously top each with a dollop of the marshmallow whipped cream.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 2 tbsp crushed peppermint candies over the whipped topping for a festive, minty crunch that echoes snowy mountain magic.








