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Homemade Chocolate Marshmallows {No Corn Syrup, Egg Free}

April 10, 2014 by tania 6 Comments

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Homemade Chocolate Marshmallows {No Corn Syrup, Egg Free}

Molly is my fiercest food critic, even harsher than The Princess who occasionally tries to preserve my feelings. The joy of being five, I suppose, is that you are not hindered by the social niceties that plague the rest of us and you can say what you think. Molly is quite partial to my strawberry marshmallows, and was equally unimpressed with my final batch of brownies. When I told her I was thinking of trying chocolate marshmallows, her exact words to me were “You should make them, then give them to us to try and we can tell you if they are any good.”

I was stunned as to how easy marshmallows were to make, and how delicious the homemade ones truly can be. Now I have a basic formula, I keep dreaming up different variations for flavouring them. Chocolate marshmallows for Easter seemed an obvious choice.

Homemade Chocolate Marshmallows

These marshmallows are flavoured with cocoa powder rather than melted chocolate. Melted chocolate would primarily contribute more sugar to the mix. Having reduced the amount of sugar in the initial recipe, I was not interested in adding sugar back if it could be avoided. I also still have the majority of the three kilograms of cocoa powder which I lugged back from Paris last year, so cocoa powder it is.

There are two types of cocoa powder: natural and Dutch. I used to think, many years ago, that Dutch cocoa was a vastly superior product exported from Holland’s rich cocoa fields. Let’s gloss over the fact that I have a Geography degree, and that I should have realised that a tropical plant like the cocoa bean was unlikely to thrive in the cool temperate region of Holland, let alone become a major export. I possibly should also have realised that if cocoa was a major export, it would have been mentioned alongside other Dutch icons like tulips, windmills and clogs.

Homemade Chocolate Marshmallows

Natural cocoa powder is quite acidic. When baking with natural cocoa it is necessary to use baking (bicarb) soda as a raising agent. The alkalinity of the baking soda counteracts the acidity of the cocoa powder, and the resulting chemical reaction helps baked goods to rise. Dutch cocoa powder has undergone processing with an alkalinising agent to reduce the acidity of the natural product. This process was invented by a Dutchman. Who would have thought. Dutch cocoa powder is a darker colour and has a smoother flavour than natural cocoa. It is also less acidic, and therefore baking powder can be used as a leavening agent in baked goods. As with everything, the quality of both Dutch and natural powder varies greatly according to supplier.

I prefer to use Dutch cocoa powder as I love the dark rich colour it contributes to chocolate goods and I really can notice the smoother flavour. If you have a chance, do a comparison between natural and Dutch cocoa. Dip your finger into both and taste the difference. I find natural cocoa powder is sharper and harsher than the Dutch, and the colour of the end result is not as deep.

Homemade Chocolate Marshmallows 04

To keep the chocolate theme going, I have coated these marshmallows in a mixture of cinnamon and cocoa powder which gives a little spice to the mix. Mr Grumpy was playing with a test batch and sprinkled some with chilli powder. After I recovered from the coughing fit that ensued as the chilli caught in my throat, I conceded that a small amount would be a great addition if you like a touch of heat.

The Princess has taken to dropping these into her afternoon hot chocolate. Apparently chocolate marshmallows go better with the beverage than strawberry. And most importantly, Molly has given these her approval.

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Homemade Chocolate Marshmallows {No Corn Syrup, Egg Free}

You do need a candy thermometer to make your own marshmallows. There is no way of getting around this. If you don't own a thermometer, buy one. They are cheap. I promise that after one batch you will be putting that thermometer to good use.
You also really do need a stand mixer but these can possibly be made with a hand held. Just be prepared to stand there for a while. I haven't tried to make them this way, however, so can't guarantee they will work.
You can cut these anyway you like. I have made them into cubes (as above) using a pizza cutter and have also used cookie cutters to cut shapes.
The marshmallows will keep for at least a week in an airtight container.
Calories
Author Tania @ The Cook's Pyjamas

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup & 1/3 cup cocoa powder divided
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • 120 ml boiling water
  • 2 Tablespoons gelatine
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 300 g raw sugar
  • 150 ml rice bran syrup
  • 100 ml water extra

Instructions

  • Sift the 1/3 cup cocoa powder and cinnamon together and set aside.
  • Grease and line a 20cm x 30cm x 3cm slice tray.
  • Sift a small amount of the spiced cocoa powder over the base of the lined tray and set aside. Try and coat as much of the base as possible.
  • Place the boiling water and cocoa powder into the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk to remove any lumps.
  • Add the gelatine, vanilla extract and salt to the water and cocoa. Stir gently to combine.
  • Place the sugar, rice bran syrup and water in a medium saucepan over a medium - high heat.
  • Without stirring, bring the sugar mixture to the boil. Continue to boil until the syrup reaches 115C on a candy thermometer. This will take approximately 15 minutes.
  • Turn the stand mixer onto low and quickly pour the sugar syrup into the bowl. Continue to mix on low until the gelatine mixture has melted and no lumps are visible.
  • Turn the mixer up to medium high and whisk for approximately 10 minutes. The mixture will start to foam and thicken. It is ready when the marshmallow is the consistency of soft serve ice cream.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread out with a spatula. Sprinkle with some of the spiced cocoa powder.
  • Allow the marshmallow to set at room temperature for approximately 6 hours, or until firm. I leave mine overnight.
  • Cut into desired shapes and toss the cut marshmallow in the spiced cocoa powder. Shake off excess cocoa powder and store in an airtight container.

Notes

I have used Dutch cocoa powder in these marshmallows. You can use either Dutch or natural cocoa powder.
Marshmallows are sticky. The spiced cocoa powder is your friend. Sprinkle it on any sticky surface.
I use the whisk attachment on my stand mixer to make these.
To clean up, put the saucepan and mixing bowl in the sink and fill them with water. Put all your implements in the water and walk away. Come back 10 minutes later and everything will have softened and dissolved, making it easy to clean.

Filed Under: Baking, Snacks Tagged With: baking., chocolate, cocoa powder, food for gifts, how to make, marshmallows, snacks, unrefined sugar, wholefood

Previous Post: « Easy Dukkah-Spiced Lamb Koftas
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. JJ - 84thand3rd

    April 12, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    I used to make marshmallows all the time when I first moved to Sydney (Aussie marshmallows don’t taste like US ones but the homemade ones do!) but haven’t in ages. These sound simply perfect!

    Reply
  2. tania

    April 16, 2014 at 8:15 am

    Thanks JJ. I wonder what the difference is between the US & Oz, and why they taste so different.

    Reply
  3. Olivia

    April 21, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    Ooh my! I have randomly stumbled upon your site and am loving it!! Chocky marshmallows! Awesome! And even better that its a recent post! But alas, im gonna be really annoying and ask if you think you can replace the rice bran syrup with honey or maybe even maple syrup? I remember making marshmallows way back when I thought corn syrup was just some expensive import that you always seem to have a half filled jar at the back of your pantry! Thanks for letting me have such a long winded comment!!

    Reply
    • tania

      April 23, 2014 at 8:22 am

      Hi Olivia. I have seen some marshmallow recipes that use honey so I would probably try that as a replacement first. Unfortunately I cannot definitively say it will work but it should. I am allergic to honey which is why I haven’t tried it myself. I would think you could also use maple syrup but I would probably try honey first. If you do try it I would love to hear how you get on. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  4. carol

    December 12, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    I love the look of these marshmallows. Could you please tell me what raw sugar is and where I could purchase it? Thank you.

    Reply
    • tania

      December 12, 2014 at 8:09 pm

      Hi Carol. Raw sugar has been minimally processed so it still retains some of the molasses and therefore more nutrients. I think you you may know it as Turbinado sugar. I can buy raw sugar at my local supermarket. It is stocked in the same aisle as all the others sugars. If you can’t find it, you can substitute plain white sugar, but you may find the finished result slightly sweeter. I hope that helps, and I hope you enjoy the marshmallows.

      Reply

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