Agave Marshmallow Treats

Growing up, hot chocolate meant Grandma mixing cocoa powder, sugar, and milk in a large pot on the stove. Today, my family still enjoys a cup of hot chocolate as a "comfort" drink in the wintertime.
Especially after coming in late at night after a ballgame, we loved a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows floating on top. It seemed to warm from the inside out.
However, over the years, the method of making it changed. It became easy to tear open a package and heat a cup of water.
                                                                                                                  
Since my dad has been ill, more than ever, I want to make sure he does not miss out on the comfort foods and treats like hot chocolate and marshmallows so I decided to make them using real chocolate (semi-sweet or dark chocolate) bars and a combinations of milks. I used natural sugars, agave and Stevia, to sweeten the marshmallows.

HOT CHOCOLATE

3 oz. quality semi-sweet chocolate

¼ cup turbinado sugar

Pinch of salt

¼ cup of boiling water

1 1/4 cup skim milk

1 cup whole milk

¼ tsp. pure vanilla extract

Combine the chocolate, sugar and salt in a small saucepan. Stir in the water until chocolate and sugar melts. Bring this mixture to a slight boil, stirring occasionally.  Stir in both milks and heat until hot. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Serve with marshmallows.

Homemade Marshmallows

1  Tbsp. cornstarch

½ cup cold water

2 envelopes unflavored gelatin

¼ tsp. powered stevia extract

¾ cup light agave

1/8 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Spray with a non-stick cooking spray, the bottom of a 12x9x2-inch pan.

Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Sprinkle cornstarch onto the bottom of the pan

In a medium saucepan, combine cold water and gelatin, mix until dissolved. Add stevia, agave, and salt. Mix well, then heat to almost a boil.

Pour the warm syrup into the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on high speed until mixture has doubled in volume and forms stiff peaks, about 15 minutes. Add vanilla extract and beat to combine, a few seconds.

Scrape marshmallow cream into the prepared pan and spread with a damp rubber spatula.  Let stand uncovered for 3 or more hours.

To make cubes, dip knife in hot water and cut marshmallow into 1-inch cubes.

Take the agave marshmallow recipe and make gluten-free rice krispy treats with gluten-free brown rice krispies. Enjoy!