Boozy Baileys Real Hot Chocolate with Festive Christmas Marshmallows – #FreeFromChristmas (free from gluten; nuts; optional dairy free; chocolate is optional refined sugar free)

With winter well and truly upon us and Christmas heading our way faster than I was ready for, it is time to add a little festive spirit with some Boozy Baileys Real Hot Chocolate, topped with these super-cute Christmas marshmallows.

Nothing speaks to me of winter more than cold, crisp, wrapped-up walks along the coast, blasted by brisk, icy, sea winds which chill fingers and noses and bring the welcome opportunity to clutch a hot mug of chocolate in gloved hands to thaw on the radiated heat. It’s all part of the deal….. The excuse for hot chocolate comes from the need to warm up….. which means getting chilled a little first! It tastes better that way….

There are of course, two things better than hot chocolate….. Hot chocolate with marshmallows and better still, hot chocolate with Baileys and marshmallows. A perfect winter treat, don’t you think? Of course, the marshmallows are always optional,…… although once you have tried hot chocolate with Baileys, you may find this to be less of a discretion…..

If you have never made your own real hot chocolate, then it is time to make amends….. Made with real cacao (I use block cacao or drops) and milk, it packs a deep chocolate punch which is full of antioxidants….. Perfect for helping to fight those winter bugs.

Because you add your own sugar, it also tastes more natural and less sweet. You even get to choose whether you add bog standard caster sugar or opt for the caramel notes exploited from using either brown or coconut sugar.

Admittedly, it’s slightly more effort to make than the commercial powdered stuff you find in a jar, but it is so worth it. Besides….. a little decadence and pampering once in a while is important to our mental health…… right? And since cacao is also know for its serotonin-boosting properties, you can reassure yourself that this treat is true happiness in a cup.

I am sharing my Boozy Baileys Real Hot Chocolate as part of the seasonal #FreeFromChristmas offerings brought to you by our amazing group of Free From bloggers. For those of you who have never come across us, we post themed free from recipes each month and between us, we cover all the top allergies and intolerances and more. So whether you are celebrating a free from Christmas yourself,  or catering for someone else who is, make sure you check out the blog list below…… we are sure between us to provide recipes and inspiration for every intolerant eventuality.

Actually, this post is pretty timely…. I notice that Rebecca (who blogs over at Glutarama) has just posted her all home-made Dairy Free Baileys Liqueur Recipe….. So if you are dairy-intolerant and can’t drink the ‘traditional’ stuff, make your own and be sure to drop a little into your hot chocolate.

I realised of course, after I had taken the photos for this post, that I had neglected to pose the Baileys bottle in the pics….. I think I was too eager to drink, but rest assured, this favourite of tipples is mingling within and boy, does it taste incredible….. That warming, alcohol-tinged, creamy, whiskey backdrop is unmistakable.

As for the snowmen? Well, it would be impertinent not to give a nod to the up-coming celebrations… Besides, they are so cute, I couldn’t resist popping a couple in the cup to cheer things along.

I am sharing my Boozy Baileys Real Hot Chocolate with Festive Christmas Marshmallows with :

Free From Fridays with Le Coin De Mel and Free From Farmhouse

We Should Cocoa with Tin and Thyme

Cook Blog Share with Easy Peasy Foodie

Recipe of the Week with A Mummy Too

Brilliant Blog Posts with Honest Mum

Fiesta Friday with Angie and co-hosted by Everyday Healthy Recipes and The Not So Creative Cook

And don’t forget to check out the other #FreeFromChristmas recipes from my lovely blogging friends across he web….

Christmas Biscuits : Nathalie at The Intolerant Gourmand
Protein Hot Chocolate with Orange : Eva at The Healthy Tart
Non-Alcoholic Paleo Christmas Cake : Renee at Mummy Tries
Pork, Sage & Onion Stuffing Balls : Eb at Easy Peasy Foodie
Easy Peasy Christmas Cake Muffins : Eb at Easy Peasy Foodie
Healthy Vegan Mince Pies : The Healthy Tart
Cranberry & Clementine Wreath Bread : Vicki at The Free From Fairy
Dairy Free Baileys Liqueur : Rebecca at Glutarama
Mini Christmas Cakes with Nut Free Marzipan : Rebecca at Glutarama
Jo at Modern Food Stories
Emma at Free From Farmhouse
Traditional Christmas Cake : Laura at Dairy Free Kids
Christmas Biscuits : Midge at Peachicks Bakery
Black Forest Christmas Cake (GF & Vegan) : Midge at Peachicks Bakery
Chloe at Just The Three Of Us
Mandy at Sneaky Veg
Mel at Le Coin De Mel
Jenny at A Balanced Belly

1. Prepare your Festive Marshmallows first : Cut large marshmallows in half widthways and place them (cut side down) on a piece of baking paper.
2. Use a tiny dab of writing icing to glue chocolate drop eyes to the mallow tops.
3. Using a sharp knife, cut the candy melts into triangular segments for the carrot noses and stick in place using a dab of writing icing (or if using writing icing for the noses, draw triangles on to the mallows).
4. Draw mouth lines using writing icing.
5. Put aside to set.
6. Hot Chocolate : In a small saucepan, melt the cacao over a very low heat, stirring continuously.
7. Add the milk a little at a time over the heat, stirring into the cacao. As the milk heats, the mixture will blend, but don’t worry if it seems a little grainy at this stage.
8. Add the sugar to taste and stir to dissolve.
9. If the mixture is still grainy, use a whisk or blender to fully combine, before pouring into your favourite mug.
10. Add a tot of Baileys and stir before topping with marshmallow snowmen.
11. Snuggle up and enjoy!