During the winter I always have homemade marshmallows in the house for coffee and hot cocoa, so this last minute holiday recipe is a gluten free coffee mocha. I always get nervous about gluten sneaking its way into store bought drinks, so I prefer to make any flavored coffees at home. For the same reason, I prefer to make marshmallows with agave rather than corn syrup. The marshmallows in this recipe take a day to rest, so if you don’t have a day to make prepared marshmallows, you can substitute with pre-made marshmallow. However, if you do have time to make marshmallow, you can use holiday cookie cutters to make seasonal marshmallows for your mocha!

Ingredients

Marshmallow Ingredients
3 packets of gelatin (unflavored)
1 cup of ice cold water
1 cup light agave
1 1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup room temperature water
2 tbsp gluten free vanilla extract
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Mocha Ingredients
4 tbsp coffee grounds
4 cups water
2 tbsp cocoa powder
3 tbsp sugar
splash of half and half (or almond milk to make it dairy-free)

Instructions

Marshmallow Instructions
1.Line a baking pan with aluminum foil and fill with a layer of powdered sugar. Set aside.
2.In a large mixing bowl, combine the ice cold water and gelatin. Set aside.
3.In a tall saucepan, combine the 1/3 cup water, agave, and sugar. Place a candy thermometer into the pot, and cook over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.
4.Increase the heat to high, and constantly stir until the sugar is 240F. (Be super careful with hot sugar. You do not want it to touch your skin).
5.Remove the sugar from heat, then add it to the gelatin. Using a mixer, mix the sugar on high speed for 12 minutes. Beat int the vanilla extract. Spread the marshmallow into the pan, and cover the top with a layer of powdered sugar. Let the marshmallow rest for 4-6 hrs and then cut into desired shapes.
Mocha Instructions
1.Prepare the coffee as desired.
2.In a small cup, mix the sugar and cocoa. Split evenly into two cups.
3.Pour the coffee into the two cups, and add splash of half and half.
4.Top with the seasonal marshmallows.