If you’ve had a real cup of hot chocolate, you know that the over-the-top rich taste and velvet creamy texture is way beyond what that little Swiss Miss could ever deliver. It is actually very simple to make spoons or stirrers that you can wrap up and share with friends. Throw in a few homemade marshmallows and you have a decadent gift that (I know from experience) will be remembered.

I made Mel’s (from the Kitchen Cafe) Truffle Hot Chocolate. Because if I am being honest, I could probably eat my weight in ganache (and that is A LOT of ganache). When I saw her recipe of chocolate, cream, and a little sugar. I knew it would be right up my ally. Instead of rolling it into balls, I scooped it up with plastic spoons and then wrapped it up in plastic wrap.

However, I also really like the look of Giver’s Log’s hot cocoa stirrers. The benefit of these is that they don’t need to be refrigerated. So you choose. I am pretty sure there is no possible way to go wrong with either version.

Marshmallow recipes are all very similar. Here is Alton Brown’s version, which I used today and thought was pretty darn good. Later I found a recipe on Smitten Kitchen that calls for egg whites and claims to be much fluffier than the others. I will have to let you decide. Personally, I like the gooey slightly denser version that is more common. One thing is certain, they will impress …and disappear into your mouth alarmingly quick.

To keep the mess down, spray your spatula with cooking spray and cut with a pizza cutter (also coated with cooking spray). Another tip: don’t worry about scrapping it all out of the bowl/off the whisk. It just can’t be done; you will only get messy and frustrated. I hate to waste too, but this time you have to do it.

Now, to put it all together by placing 3 or 4 marshmallows in a bag and tie it together with a couple of spoons with a ribbon. Here is a tag that you can print out and attach with instructions for Mel’s Truffle Hot Chocolate:

or Giver’s Log Hot Chocolate on a Stick:

p.s. Come visit me at LeapIntoArt.com to enter to win one one of 10 great Christmas gifts.