Fall Hot Cocoa

I don't know about you all, but Hot Cocoa on a crisp night, is a wonderful treat, that makes your senses happy. And when you add a fall twist,with homemade marshmallows it's even better. If you have never had a homemade marshmallow before, those nasty things in a bag will be a thing of the past!

 Marshmallows

• 3 cups white sugar
• 1/4 cup corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

Coat a 13x9 pan with Non-stick cooking sprayIn a large saucepan, combine corn syrup, water, sugar, and salt. Heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. Remove from heat and beat until stiff peaks form, stir in vanilla, and pour into prepared pan.  Loosen edges with a knife, and dust with confectioners sugar. Turn onto flat surface cut into squares and dust with sugar again.


Hot Cocoa


1/2 cup half & half
1 1/2 cups milk
2 blocks chocolate (any brand you prefer) 
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp cinnamon 
3/4 tsp vanilla extract 

 In a large saucepan, combine half & half, milk, and chocolate. Cook on low until chocolate mixture is melted and frothy. Remove from heat, and add spices, and vanilla. Pour into your favorite mugs, and top with homemade marshmallows. YUMMY :) 


Makes 4 servings