Baileys Hot Chocolate (and Snowman Marshmallows) – Homemade

Decadent and delicious… This Baileys Hot Chocolate is the real deal… Made from scratch with just 4 ingredients (including the Baileys) it takes hot chocolate up a level. Top with festive Snowman Marshmallows for seasonal cheer. (Nut free; soy free; refined sugar-free; optional dairy free/vegan)

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Baileys Hot Chocolate – The perfect winter warmer

Have you ever made REAL Baileys Hot Chocolate? Actually… have you ever made real hot chocolate of any sort? If your ‘go to’ method is grabbing a jar from the shelf and mixing it with water or milk, then read on… Because while there may be a little more effort required in making real hot chocolate, the result is a mug of utter decadence and comforting delight. It takes hot chocolate to an altogether better level! And nothing says ‘I’m worth it’ more than warming cold hands and sipping indulgently from a big boozy chocolatey mug.

Picture the scene… A cold, crisp winter walk along the coast, being blasted by brisk, icy, sea winds… Chilled fingers and noses followed by a welcome opportunity to clutch a hot mug in gloved hands to thaw on the radiated heat. It’s all part of the deal… right? If you need the excuse! It might even taste better that way…

Baileys Hot Chocolate topped with Snowman Marshmallows

Better still… If you want to make your mug super-festive, why not add some cute little Snowman Marshmallows? They are easy to make and add some extra cheer for the cold weather.

And let’s be honest, there are only two things that can improve on real hot chocolate… Hot chocolate with marshmallows or Baileys… And better still, hot chocolate with marshmallows and Baileys.

And if the kids are on board, get them to help make the Snowman Marshmallows and offer them a ‘straight’ hot chocolate without the booze. Win win!

Why bother making Real Hot Chocolate (with or without Baileys)?

For those of you who are still thinking ‘why bother, when I can just open a jar’, my suggestion is this… Give it a go… Just once (to start with)… And then work out with the benefit of experience whether it’s worth the effort…

I’ll be honest… I used to be a ‘grab the jar’ girl… But hot chocolate made the ancient Inca way has a depth and richness that can’t be dismissed that easily. It’s not powdery… Less sweet and sickly… And has a natural cacao health kick which is good for your mental (and physical) wellbeing… Full of antioxidants and great for boosting serotonin levels. This treat is genuine happiness in a mug 😁.

What’s in my Baileys Hot Chocolate?

A mug of homemade Baileys Hot Chocolate contains just 4 ingredients… And that includes the Baileys. So, what’s in the cup? Quite simply, it’s a carefully balanced ratio of the following:

• Cacao – preferably the solid kind (drops or a block). You can find it in some good supermarkets, or otherwise source on-line. It’s worth it. I use the brand Hasslacher’s, which comes in handy cacao discs or drops, as well as a block… 100% cacao with nothing added! Therefore 100% free from!
• Milk – dairy or non-dairy. Just use your favourite brand. (Optionally add a dash of cream too… But I don’t bother).
• Sugar – Just a little and preferably unrefined! I always use natural coconut sugar for the delicious caramel notes it brings. But light brown sugar or golden caster sugar are fine as alternatives.
• Baileys Liqueur – Well that goes without saying… right?

Can I use normal chocolate instead of cacao when making real hot chocolate?

If you struggle to source cacao drops, don’t panic… You can still make yummy Baileys Hot Chocolate with good quality dark chocolate. To get the qualities that you would achieve with cacao, I would recommend using chocolate which is at least 70% cocoa. For pure meltability, quality and depth of flavour I recommend Callebaut Chocolate Callets. They are gluten free (although may contain traces of dairy).

Is Baileys gluten free and safe for Coeliacs (Celiacs)?

The big question… right? For those of us who are Coeliac (Celiac), it’s really important to be sure that everything we add to Baileys Hot Chocolate is safe for us to eat. So, is Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur safe for Coeliacs?

The good news is that Coeliac UK and other Coeliac organisations around the world, have confirmed Baileys as safe. There are no gluten ingredients and no ‘may contain’ warnings.

What else can I add to real Hot Chocolate instead of Baileys?

Don’t like Baileys? That’s fine too… Choose a Coeliac-safe tipple of choice. “Spirits and liqueurs are gluten free” (Coeliac UK) because of the distillation and production processes.

Or, just leave the alcohol out altogether, if you prefer. And maybe add a sprinkle of cinnamon or ginger instead…

Can I make Baileys Hot Chocolate dairy free as well as gluten free?

The base recipe for the hot chocolate I have shared below is not only gluten free, but providing you use dairy free/allergy-free milk, is also free from dairy, nuts, refined sugar (if using coconut sugar), soy and is also vegan. #freefromchristmas 😇.

Obviously, the Baileys is not dairy free. So, if you want Baileys Hot Chocolate that is also dairy free/Vegan, it will be necessary to use a dairy free alternative. Bailey’s now kindly produce a dairy free Bailey’s Almande as a straight sub, available in supermarkets.

Lastly, if you choose to use chocolate rather than 100% cacao, it will also need to be confirmed allergy safe as required.

How to make festive Snowman Marshmallows

Making festive Snowman Marshmallows is really easy. All that’s needed is…

• Large marshmallows – like the big American variety. But if using smaller ones, just scale down the face to match.
• Tiny baking chocolate drops – for the eyes
• Orange Candy Melts (or failing that a little orange coloured fondant icing or writing icing)
• Brown/black writing icing – It’s the easiest way to glue on the eyes and nose and to draw mouths on the snowmen.

Then all you need to do is…

1. Cut the marshmallows in half (widthways).
2. Glue on the chocolate drop eyes with a dot of writing icing.
3. Cut tiny triangles for noses from the candy melts or fondant icing and stick them on the mallows with a dot of writing icing.
4. Draw on some mouth lines.

Ready to float…

Ready to make real Baileys Hot Chocolate?

And that’s all there is to it. Real Baileys Hot Chocolate with Snowman Marshmallows. Will you try it? I hope so!

Don’t forget to let me know what you think with a comment, social media tag or a lovely star rating. ⭐️😁  You’ll find me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter.

And if you fancy cooking up a gluten free storm in the kitchen, don’t forget to check out our wonderful Gluten Free Recipe Index too! All your favourite recipes de-glutened to perfection, so you don’t ever have to miss out again!

Thanks for reading and happy cooking

Other seasonal Gluten Free Treats on Gluten Free Alchemist

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5 from 1 vote

Real Baileys Hot Chocolate (and Snowman Marshmallows)

Decadent and delicious… This Baileys Hot Chocolate is the real deal… With just 4 ingredients (including the Baileys) it takes hot chocolate up a level. Top with festive Snowman Marshmallows for seasonal cheer. (Nut free; soy free; refined sugar-free; optional dairy free/vegan)

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Course: Christmas, Drinks

Cuisine: All, Gluten Free, optional dairy free, optional Vegan

Keyword: cacao, chocolate, marshmallow

Servings: 1

Calories per serving: 296.6kcal

Author: Gluten Free Alchemist – Kate Dowse

Key equipment

• Kitchen scales
• sharp knife
• Small saucepan
• hob
• wooden/silicone spoon
• mugs
• coffee frother/whisk (optional)

Ingredients 

0.33x0.5x0.66x1x1.5x2x

MetricUS Customary

Hot Chocolate

• 200 g/ml milk or dairy free alternative
• 20 g cacao drops/block chopped (or good quality 70% dark chocolate)
• 2 tsp coconut sugar (or light brown sugar/golden caster sugar) approx – to taste
• 30 ml/g Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur (or Baileys dairy free liqueur) optional and to taste

Snowman Marshmallows

• 1 giant or large marshmallow (per mug) cut in half widthways = 2 snowmen
• 4 dark chocolate/dairy free chocolate drops for eyes (per 2 snowmen)
• 1 orange candy melt Per 2 snowmen (Or if dairy free, use orange writing icing/orange coloured fondant)
• chocolate or black/brown writing icing to draw mouths

Instructions

Snowman Marshmallows (prepare the marshmallows first)

• Cut large marshmallows in half widthways and place them (cut side down) on a piece of baking paper.
• Use a tiny dot of writing icing to glue chocolate drop eyes to the mallow tops.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the candy melts into triangular segments for the carrot noses (or mould orange fondant) and stick in place using a dab of writing icing (or if using writing icing for the noses, draw triangles on to the mallows).
• Draw mouth lines using dark writing icing.
• Put aside to set.

Real Hot Chocolate

• In a small saucepan, melt the cacao with a little of the milk over a very low heat, stirring continuously.
• Add the rest of the milk to the pan, a little at a time, continuing to stir.
• As the milk heats, the mixture will blend, but don’t worry if it seems a little grainy at this stage.
• Add the sugar to taste and stir to dissolve.
• If the mixture is still grainy, use a simple whisk, coffee frother or blender to fully combine, before pouring into your favourite mug.
• Add a tot of Baileys and stir, before topping with (optional) Marshmallow Snowmen.
• Snuggle up and enjoy!

Notes

This recipe contains alcohol and is therefore only suitable for adults. Omit the Baileys if serving to children.

* Note: nutritional information is an estimate & may vary according to portion size/ingredient variants.

Nutrition

Calories: 296.6kcal | Carbohydrates: 42.2g | Protein: 10.2g | Fat: 9.3g | Saturated Fat: 5.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.5g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 108.3mg | Potassium: 568.8mg | Fiber: 6.6g | Sugar: 29.7g | Vitamin A: 324IU | Calcium: 251.6mg | Iron: 2.8mg

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© 2019-2023 Kate Dowse All Rights Reserved – Do not copy or re-publish this recipe or any part of this recipe on any other blog, on social media or in a publication without the express permission of Gluten Free Alchemist

Homemade Baileys Hot Chocolate shared with

• Full Plate Thursday #566 with Miz Helen’s Country Cottage
• What’s For Dinner #346 with The Lazy Gastronome
• Sundays on Silverado #71 with The House on Silverado