Foods Kick your summer s’mores or homemade hot cocoa up a notch with these Healthy Dark Chocolate Marshmallows!
Looking for gluten-free recipes and resources? This Everything Gluten Free page is a library of everything gluten free we’ve worked on.
All the chocolate things.
It’s no secret. I have a love for chocolate anything. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, dessert… You might say I have an addiction, but I’m pretty sure my body needs it for health reasons that I don’t quite understand. Haha! And in my defense, I do try to make my chocolate things as healthy as possible.
But when I set out to make a batch of marshmallows with my kiddos recently, I fought hard to make them just plain ol’ marshmallows. You can’t have everything be chocolate, right?
I lost.
Chocolate won. And these healthy dark chocolate marshmallows were the result.
I’ve made plain marshmallows with my kids before, and a cinnamon sugar variety, and they’re all tasty enough, but how could I say no to the chocolate dream dancing around in my brain?
To be honest (and probably un-American) I’ve never been a marshmallow fan. I can blame it on my real food mom raising me right, but I’ve always thought they lacked any flavor other than processed sugar. If that counts as a flavor. Not to mention they’re full of strange and unnecessary ingredients:
Corn syrup, sugar, dextrose, modified cornstarch, water, gelatin, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, artificial flavor, Blue 1 food coloring. In case you were wondering.
Why ruin your s’mores or delicious hot cocoa with those nasty ingredients?
Homemade is always better.
Homemade is always better.I fell in love with homemade marshmallows the very first time my friend convinced me to make them with her for Christmas a few years ago. They tasted like…something! I wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but it was delicious.
My first homemade marshmallow version was made with regular sugar – ’cause I wasn’t so healthy back then – but I’ve since graduated to making them with honey. I do believe that the honey adds a wonderful depth to the marshmallows that you don’t get when you use plain sugar.
And adding cocoa powder? Total win.
After his first bite, my husband announced gleefully: “They taste like little squares of hot chocolate! What are you going to call them?”
My (apparently uninspired) answer: “Uh… dark chocolate marshmallows.”
His response (with veiled disapproval at my lack of creativity in naming marshmallows): “Hm. It’s too bad Cocoa Puffs is already taken.”
Yeah… too bad.
I’m thinking Healthy Dark Chocolate Marshmallows is better anyway. More enticing for chocoholics, and probably moms, too. 😉
And seriously, these little puffs are full of real food goodness! Filtered water, local honey, grass-fed gelatin, organic cocoa powder… They’re the perfect treat!
Real Food Dark Chocolate Marshmallows
Equipment
- Mixer
- candy thermometer
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1 cup local honey
- 3 tablespoons grass-fed gelatin
- 3/4 cup organic cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon chocolate extract optional
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon real salt
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder optional
Instructions
- In large bowl (a stand mixer works best) sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup of the water. Let bloom.
- In medium-sized saucepan, combine remaining water with honey. Heat over medium until boiling. Boil honey, stirring regularly, until it reaches 240°, or soft ball stage. It takes about 10 minutes.
- Let honey mixture cool for a minute, then sift in 1/2 cup of cocoa powder, extracts, and salt. Mix until cocoa powder is melted in.
- With mixer on low, slowly drizzle in honey/cocoa mixture. Once the honey is added, turn mixer as high as you can (I used speed 8 on my KitchenAid) and beat until color becomes pale and glossy and the marshmallow fluff can stand up in peaks. This should take about 15 minutes.
- While the marshmallow is fluffing, grease a 9x9 inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper. Then combine the remaining cocoa with the arrowroot (or just use the remaining cocoa) and dust the parchment with a few teaspoons.
- When the fluff is done, pour into the prepared pan, spreading as even as possible with a wet spatula.
- Let set on the counter for about 8 hours (I usually do overnight).
- Dust the top of the marshmallows with the leftover cocoa powder, and remove from the pan by pulling up on the parchment. Using a sharp knife, slice the marshmallows into squares. Alternately, you can use cookie cutters, if you want. Dust the knife with the cocoa in between slices, so the knife doesn't get too sticky and tear the marshmallows.
- Store in the fridge in a covered container.
Notes
Nutrition
More Healthy Dessert Recipes:
Don’t forget to make these homemade graham crackers to go with these healthy dark chocolate marshmallows and make the BEST s’mores around!
More delicious chocolate desserts:
- Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free Brownies Recipe
- Naturally-Sweetened Chocolate Ice Cream
- Gluten-Free, Low-Carb Peanut Butter Cup Pie
- Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake
- Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Candy
Oh my goodness!! This is totally going to be one of my new favorite snacks! Love.
Haha! Thanks. 😉 I hope you enjoy them, Lauren!
You use gelatin? I’ve always used egg whites for marshmallows, but I agree that the honey would give them a depth of flavor.
I’ll have to try these out.
I vote for Cocoa Puffs! These look heavenly!
Haha! Thanks, Lisa!
I have never thought about making my own marshmallows before, but I never knew they were this easy. I am going to give them a try with my niece.
They are super easy, Dannii! I hope you get a chance to try them! 🙂
Such beautiful marshmallows! Love that rich chocolate color. This would be perfect for valentines with a heart cookie cutter.
Thank you, Tara! I agree with your cookie cutter thought – perfect!
It looks like healthy and delicious. Love it! Thank you so much for recipe and instructions.
Thank you! 🙂
These look amazing Raia! I can’t wait to make some!
Thank you, Emily! I hope you get a chance to enjoy them!
Mmmmmm…. I think I’ll make them for a girlfriend retreat we’re having this weekend. I believe I’ll change the name to maybe…. Cocoa Clouds!
Haha! I’m sure my hubby would approve. 😉 I hope you and your friends enjoy them, Jane!
Can these marshmallows be roasted on a fire? For s’mores and such?
I have not personally tried it, but I have a reader who has and she seems to think they work fine. 🙂
Such a great recipe – they look delightful! Do you think they’d work with pectin instead of gelatin? I’m always curious!
~jules
Thanks, Jules! I don’t know about pectin, I’ve never used it in anything before, so I don’t know how it works. 🙂 Sorry!
homemade marshmallows are the BEST! can’t wait to try these!
I hope you enjoy them, Sarah! 🙂
Marshmallows are STILL on my to-do list this summer!
Make them! You won’t regret it! 🙂
I’ve never made homemade marshmallows before, but you’re inspiring me– these look to-die-for!
Glad I could provide some inspiration, Courtney! They’re really easy to make, and so delicious!
I love marshmallows, but never wanted to go to the trouble to make my own…but now I MUST. Those look divine!
Yes, you must! Haha! You won’t regret it. 😉
Oh my goodness, healthy marshmallows, AND they’re chocolate?! I need these in my life!
Haha! I know the feeling… 😉
Well actually, you can have everything chocolate so these look amazing!
Haha! Thanks for the support, Elle. 😉
Wow! Great job on these delightful looking marshmallows! I’ve always wanted to try making them with honey, and know I have a great recipe to guide me!!
Thank you, Julia! I’m so glad that honey works in them, too. 🙂
These look fantastic. I’ve never been able to bring myself to try making marshmallows, but I might have to give these a shot!
Thanks Anne Marie! They’re really not that hard, and they’re SO worth making. 🙂
We love marshmallows! We’ve wanted to make them at home for a long time. This looks like a great recipe to try them with! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Glad to share! I hope you get a chance to enjoy them!
HI Raia,
Homemade healthy chocolate marshmallows. Have I died and going to heaven? LOL! These sound wonderful and so healthy. . Thank you for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted!
Haha! Thanks, Marla! 🙂
Yummy! They look delicious!
Thank you, Bethany! 🙂
I’d never heard of chocolate marshmallows…these look so good! I think I’d be hooked on them though!
Thanks, Janelle! I’m glad they’re healthy, ’cause I’m addicted. 🙂
You had me at dark chocolate (and the fact that they’re healthier is a sweet bonus!). These look awesome!
Haha! Thanks, Jessy! 🙂
Haha! Thanks, Jessy! 🙂
I am in awe!!!!!! What a gorgeous creation! I’m not overly fond of marshmallows, but I’m guessing I could eat a pile of these tasty treats – and they’re good for me??? WOW!! SO happy you shared with us at Weekend Potluck. Keep em coming, please!
Thank you so much! I’m all about making my treats as healthy as possible so there’s no guilt in eating them! 🙂
Who can resist these healthy chocolate treats. We’re so glad you shared this healthy and delicious Healthy Dark Chocolate Marshmallows recipe on the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I’m Pinning and sharing!
Exactly, Deborah! 😉 Thanks so much for pinning and sharing! 🙂
Looks like that little cutie is sure enjoying that Chocolate Marshmallow! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday today. Have a great day and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Yes, my kiddos love them! Thanks so much for stopping by, Helen!
These look delish! Just wondering if I should use the cold or hot gelatin. I usually use 1 of 2 brands. Any suggestions?! Also, I have cacao powder on hand. Can I replace the cocoa powder with this and add some sort of sweetener such as coconut sugar or coconut nectar? thanks for any help.
Thanks Sabrina! You want to use regular gelatin (the kind that dissolves in hot water), not the hydrolysate (the kind that dissolves in cold water). You can also trade out the cocoa powder for cacao powder, but you shouldn’t need to add any additional sweetener. The honey makes these plenty sweet. 🙂 I hope you enjoy them!
These look delicious!!! Pinned 🙂
Thank you so much, Angela!
Oh my gosh! I am going to have to make these…they look and sound fabulous and I am all for getting more gelatine in my diet.
I hope you enjoy them, Vicki! They are a pretty wonderful way of adding gelatin to your diet. 😉
Yummmmm- How long will these keep in the fridge? Thanks 🙂
They last at least a week, Natalie. I’ve never had to try and keep them longer. They’re usually devoured before I have the chance to see how long they’ll last. 😉
What is a good brand of “grass fed” gelatin? Having a hard time finding it in traditional grocery stores.
I usually use the Great Lakes red canister, which I just buy on amazon.com. You might be able to find it in a health food store, as well.
I use Perfect Supplements brand of Gelatin. They are high quality and great cusomter service too!
Yes! Perfect Supplements has great products!
Do you think pink Himalayan salt will work the same as “real salt?”
I find it to be very strong so I usually cut it back in most of my recipes, but I know baking is usually an exact science. Any thoughts?
Thank you!!!
Hmm… I don’t have much experience with Himalayan salt, but if you’re nervous about the flavor, I would just cut the amount in half.
Are these able to be shipped in a care package?
Hmm… I would think they’d be ok, as long as they’re not going to be in the heat for too long. 🙂
Can you roast these over a fire? I know with some recipes it is not possible…they would be a huge mess. I have a honey marshmallow recipe than can, so I was wondering if I can just use yours or if I will need to alter mine.
I’m sorry, I have no idea! I’ve never tried roasting them over a fire. I’d love to know your experience with trying though, if you give it a go!
I’m wondering about making these sugar-free (i.e. no honey, something else)…is the texture of the honey important in how these turn out, or could I sub monkfruit, stevia, erythritol…? We don’t eat sugar other than in berries or whatever may be found in non-starchy veggies. Thank you in advance!
Hm…I’ve never tried making marshmallows without honey. I’m sure it can be done, but the method might change. I would suggest you just google a low-carb recipe. 🙂
These were pretty good! They do kinda taste like hot chocolate too! They aren’t overly sweet, so I would definitely make smore’s with these. I let them dry for about 2 hours because I couldn’t wait to cut them up. I should’ve let them dry out after I cut them at least because I like the skin it makes when it dries.
I can’t wait to try the cider recipe.
I just made these and its more like,jello; the air wouldn’t whip in