Oh my goodness, you guys! I am absolutely pumped to share one of my all-time favorite dessert recipes with you: Chocolate Mountains. Not only do these little beauties taste absolutely phenomenal, but they also bring back some incredible memories from my childhood. Whenever I visited my grandma, her kitchen was filled with this rich, chocolatey aroma, and I could hardly wait for her to pull a tray of these wonderful mounds from the oven. The combination of fluffy marshmallows, rich chocolate frosting, and that slight crunch from the outside made my heart sing!
What I love most about these Chocolate Mountains is how they can brighten even the gloomiest of days. Whether it’s a cozy family gathering or a spontaneous get-together with friends, these treats have always been a hit! They’re simple to make, and I promise you’ll be smiling every time you take a bite. So let’s dive in and get to the chocolatey goodness, shall we?
What’s in Chocolate Mountains?
Let’s break down the star ingredients for our Chocolate Mountains:
All-purpose flour: The base of any great baked good! Just the right amount gives our mountains that perfect structure.
Granulated sugar: Sweetness, sweetness, sweetness! This is what will make your chocolate mountains utterly irresistible.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: The star of the show. This brings all the chocolate flavor we crave!
Baking powder and baking soda: These are our leavening agents. They help our mountains rise slightly and achieve that perfect texture.
Salt: A pinch of salt helps balance the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
Unsalted butter: Softened and ready to cream—this adds richness and a gooey texture.
Eggs: These help bind everything together. Plus, they add a great richness.
Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla makes everything taste better (thanks, grandma!).
Miniature marshmallows: The delightful surprise inside! They add that fluffy, chewy goodness that makes each bite feel like a hug.
Chocolate frosting: Slather it on top, and you’ve got yourself a mountain! I love using store-bought for convenience, but homemade is a special touch.
Powdered sugar: Just a light dusting for that snowy mountain finish, completely optional but highly recommended!
Are Chocolate Mountains Good for You?
Okay, let’s be real here—these Chocolate Mountains are a decadent treat. While they are not exactly “health food” in the traditional sense, let’s talk about some little benefits:
Cocoa powder: Rich in antioxidants and known to boost mood, a little chocolate can actually make you happier. And who doesn’t want that?
Butter: In moderation, butter can be part of a balanced diet; it’s all about enjoying life one sweet treat at a time!
Just remember, moderation is key with these delicious mounds of joy. If you’re sharing them with friends and family (which I highly recommend), the joy spreads even further!
Here’s What You Need:
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1/2 tsp baking powder
– 1/4 tsp baking soda
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 2 large eggs
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1 cup miniature marshmallows
– 2 cups chocolate frosting (store-bought or homemade)
– Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
This recipe makes about 12-15 chocolate mountains, depending on how big you want them to be.
How to Make Chocolate Mountains?
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper—this will make clean-up a breeze!
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well so everything’s combined.
3. Add in the softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix it all together on medium speed until the batter is smooth and well combined. Trust me; your kitchen will smell heavenly!
4. Now, gently fold in the miniature marshmallows until they are evenly distributed in the batter. This is the part where you can really get excited because marshmallows!
5. Using a spoon or an ice cream scoop, form the batter into mound shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each mound. They will spread a little during baking.
6. Bake them in your preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are firm to the touch. Patience, my friend!
7. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet. I know the smell is enticing, but trust me—you want these to cool!
8. Once cooled, generously frost each mountain with chocolate frosting, creating that rustic mountain look we’re striving for.
9. For an optional touch, dust with powdered sugar before serving to mimic snow on top of the mountains.
Tips for Your Chocolate Mountains Adventure
– If you want to take these mountains to the next level, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast is to die for!
– Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days, but let’s be real—these may not last that long.
– Feel free to switch it up by adding nuts or swapping the frosting for a drizzle of caramel sauce. The options are endless!
There you have it, my sweet friends! I can’t wait for you to try these Chocolate Mountains and add them to your baking repertoire. I hope they bring as many sweet memories and smiles as they have for me. Please let me know how they turn out or if you have any fun twists you try along the way! Happy baking! 🍫
