Most kids love a hot chocolate (let’s face it, it doesn’t even need to be a cold wintery day). Clare Keylock is here again with a lovely idea to spruce up your hot chocoloates. Take it away Clare…

We are all a bit partial to a lovely warm hot chocolate on a cold day in our house; we even love to pop a few marshmallows in there if we are requiring a real sweet treat!

I have always wanted to make my own marshmallow especially after reading about the health benefits of grass-fed, beef hide gelatin (improves gut health, makes skin more supple and glowing, the list goes on). Unfortunately the shop-bought marshmallows are not quite so healthy; they’re full of preservatives, binding agents, sugar and not light and fluffy like the homemade versions. So we decided to make our own.

I couldn’t believe how easy they are to make. The taste difference is amazing and they are truly delicious in hot chocolate. Yum! Oh and not forgetting the benefit of having a delightful decoration on top; it makes a nice little project for the little ones.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons grass-fed gelatin powder (Great Lakes was the brand I used)
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
2-3 tablespoons honey

For the decoration

edible glitter
silvery/gold balls
mini meringues (for the eyes)
Black icing pen
chocolate chips (for the mouth)
orange fondant for the carrot nose!

Method

Line a baking tray with parchment paper, the depth will depend on how tall you want your marshmallows.

Put the gelatin in a mixer bowl or food processor and add half the water. Whilst the gelatin is softening add the other half of the water to a saucepan along with the vanilla extract, salt and honey. Bring the boil and simmer for a couple of minutes.

Slowly add the mixture to the gelatin. It can splash up so be careful with the little ones. Take your electric whisk or whipping attachment if using a processor and whisk your mixture for around ten minutes. After ten minutes the mixture should be light and fluffy, if not keep whisking for a few more minutes.

Pour the mixture straight onto the tray as soon as you stop whisking. It’s best to work quickly and have a knife ready to smooth the top as it sets very quickly.

Leave to rest on the side for a couple of hours, until it is fully set. Once set, make into your creations using a cookie-cutter or knife. We made snowflakes and snowmen but there are so many options. Enjoy!

Wishing you all a Happy & Healthy 2017.

See you in the new year.

Clare x

Have a look at Clare’s website here. You can also follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.