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Hot Cocoa Cake with Whipped Marshmallow Recipe

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4.4 from 34 reviews

  • Author: Jane
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 10–12 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Hot Cocoa Cake with Whipped Marshmallow is a rich, moist chocolate layer cake inspired by the flavors of cozy hot cocoa. It features two layers of deeply chocolatey cake made with cocoa powder and hot coffee for enhanced richness. The cake is topped with a fluffy whipped marshmallow cream that adds a light, sweet contrast, and finished with a dusting of cocoa powder and optional mini marshmallows or chocolate shavings. Perfect for winter gatherings and holiday celebrations, this dessert combines warmth, nostalgia, and indulgence in every bite.

Ingredients

Cake:

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot water or hot coffee (for richer flavor)

Whipped Marshmallow Topping:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • 1 cup marshmallow fluff/cream
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Optional Decor:

  • Mini marshmallows
  • Cocoa powder for dusting
  • Hot fudge drizzle
  • Chocolate shavings

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Crack in the eggs, then add the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix everything together until the batter is smooth and uniform.
  4. Incorporate Hot Liquid: Stir in the hot water or hot coffee carefully; the batter will become quite thin, which is expected and helps keep the cake moist.
  5. Divide Batter: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula for even baking.
  6. Bake the Cake: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool Completely: Remove cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer them onto a wire rack until completely cool to room temperature before frosting.
  8. Prepare Whipped Marshmallow Topping: In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold in the marshmallow fluff and vanilla extract, then continue beating until stiff peaks form and the topping holds its shape well.
  9. Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on your serving plate. Spread a generous layer of the marshmallow topping over it.
  10. Finish Assembly: Place the second cake layer on top and cover the entire top surface with more marshmallow topping. Dust the cake with cocoa powder and decorate with mini marshmallows or chocolate shavings if desired.
  11. Optional Chilling: For cleaner slices and a firmer topping, chill the assembled cake in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.
  12. Serving Suggestion: For an extra indulgence, drizzle warm hot fudge sauce over the cake just before serving to enhance the melty hot cocoa experience.

Notes

  • To achieve the full melty hot cocoa vibe, drizzle warm hot fudge over the cake just before serving for extra richness.
  • Chill the frosted cake for 30 minutes before slicing to help the marshmallow topping firm up and allow for clean, neat slices.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Use non-dairy milk in the cake batter and substitute heavy whipping cream with coconut cream to make the whipped marshmallow topping vegan and dairy-free.
  • Ensure cakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the topping from melting and sliding off.
  • Batter will be thin after adding hot liquid, which is normal and results in a moist cake.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert, Holiday Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://cookingmomy.com/hot-cocoa-cake-with-whipped-marshmallow-recipe/