Fudgy Hot Cocoa Bars with Mini Mallows

What better to treat yourself with on a cold, snowy, winter day than a deliciously fudgy hot cocoa bar adorned with cute little marshmallows? Or mini mallows, if you will. These decadent treats are also perfect for the upcoming holiday of chocolate..err Valentine’s Day!

Hello from Nebraska!

 

It has been snowing quite a bit in these parts. More so than Minnesota..which is a total shock to me! (I should probably find some wood somewhere to knock on…because…superstitions and whatnot.)

It’s snowed so much that the breakfast I had planned with Mama Sue and sister Rachel on Sunday had to be post-poned (mind you, Mama Sue is an expert snow driver, but clearing the driveway and car proved too big an obstacle).

My travel back to Minnesota has also been delayed. I am currently dreading snow driving on the interstate all the way back home by my lonesome even if it has been “cleared off.”

On especially snowy days, all I can think about is curling up with a hot cup of cocoa and binge-watching something on Netflix. Currently Dave and I are working through all 10 seasons of Friends.

I’ve also been watching random episodes of Gilmore Girls because of this new podcast I’ve gotten addicted to called Gilmore Guys. It’s hilarious to hear a dude’s perspective on Jess aka “the bad boy” who is a love interest of Rory’s. Spoiler: they HATE him. At least at first.

Does anyone else listen to podcasts (to go on a complete tangent)? Dave and I started listening to Stuff You Should Know on road trips and then, of course, there was Serial. If you haven’t listened to Serial, I recommend it except spoiler: I have to tell you that there is no resolution in the end..it’s up to you to decide if he did or didn’t. The last episode was extremely disappointing for me, so I want to save you guys the heartache.

Back to the cozy couch sipping hot cocoa scenario…what if you could have hot cocoa in the form of a fudgy hot cocoa bar? What if you could actually eat your hot cocoa?

Well, thanks to a fun kitchen experiment conducted by yours truly, you can do just that! Mini mallows are also involved..so feel free to get excited. We all know that tiny things are always adorable. (if you just giggled, we should be friends)

I mean like kittens! So little! So adorable! Seriously everything Miss Zoey does I want to squee about how cute she is. Eating her food? Awwwww! Chasing a ball? Awwww! Sitting? Awwww!

 

The same principle applies to mini mallows (in case you were wondering). The mini mallows actually inspired the whole hot cocoa bar concept in the first place! I originally wanted to do something else on the theme of s’mores, but realized I didn’t have graham crackers which is an essential part.

I present to you…

Fudgy Hot Cocoa Bars with Mini Mallows.

Ingredients:

Wet ingredients:

1/2 cup + 6 TBS butter at room temperature

1/4 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract

Dry ingredients:

1 + 1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup oat flour* (you could probably just sub regular flour, but I like to mix up the flours for a wider nutritional content)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cornstarch

2 TBS flaxseed flour (gives it a warm flavor, plus super nutritious!)

3 TBS cocoa powder

Mix-ins:

1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

1/3 cup mini marshmallow bits

PS If you’re having a hard time finding the mini mallow bits..here’s a link: Kraft Jet-puffed Mallow Bits Vanilla Flavor Marshmallows,3 oz(<-affiliate)

Instructions:

1. Cream together sugar and butter. Whip it good!

2. Add egg and extracts. Whip it good!

3. In a separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Slowly add to the wet ingredients about one third at a time, mixing well each time.

4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!

[Tweet “Fudgy Hot Coca Bars..perfect treat for a cold and snowy day!”]

Note: the batter will be super thick, so you might need to switch from a mixer or hand beater to a wooden spoon at the end. Or just be prepared to have a lot of the dough stick to the beater/mixer. (more dough to eat for you right??)

*I make my oat flour just by grinding oats in a small food processor.

 

Semi-healthy info: I wouldn’t call most of my recipes “healthy” (and I kind of despise that word anyways because everyone has their own definition), but sometimes I do add in things to boost the nutrition content and make them “semi-healthy.”

Here is a brief overview of some of the healthier ingredients:

Oat flour: contain a special soluble fiber that is believed to help lower cholesterol, soluble fiber also helps stabilize blood sugar and makes you feel fuller.

Flaxseed flour: high level of omega-3s thought to be good for your cardiovascular health, the fiber is great for digestion (believe you me!).

Cocoa powder: plenty of antioxidants as well as the potential to increase endorphins.

 

Announcements:

I have two super awesome things coming up this week:

1. A freaking crazy giveaway. I mean it’s crazy awesome. Check back at the end of the week!

2. An awesome food, fitness and nutrition link-up Did You Know on Friday!

 

Eat and move happy!
Tell me….

Has it been snowing in your area?

What’s your favorite hot beverage?

What’s your favorite podcast?

 

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Linking up to:

Marvelous in my Monday with Katie at Healthy Diva Life

Weekend Snapshots with Erin at Her Heartland Soul

Inspire Me Mondays with Table for Seven

(All of the lovely link-ups I participate in here.)

Disclaimer: There are some related Amazon affiliate links in this post. There is no additional charge or inconvenience to you, but I do get a small kick-back when you purchase anything on Amazon within 24 hours of clicking an affiliate link. I truly appreciate the support!