Chocolate Marshmallow Penguins Recipe – Easy Christmas Marshmallow Treats Recipe

How To Make Chocolate Marshmallow Penguins At Home (Step-by-Step)

Break dairy milk chocolate into pieces.

Melt the chocolate for 50 seconds.

Hold a marshmallow by an end 'edge' between a finger and thumb and carefully dip it into the chocolate, leaving a patch of uncovered marshmallow for the penguin's tummy or you can use a toothpick to avoid the mess.

Hold it upside down over the bowl of chocolate to allow any excess chocolate to drip off. Leave a white patch for the penguin tummy

Lay all the penguins on a baking tray. Use baking paper.

Now add 2 edible eyes & 1/2 gems beak into each penguins.

Place the plate into the fridge for 20-25 minutes until chocolate is hardened.

Arrange the chocolate covered marshmallows treats on a serving platter and serve chilled.

What Makes These Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows Perfect For Kids’ Parties?

Bite-sized treats

These little penguins are just the right size to snack on; small enough to eat, but still satisfying. They're just the right size for passing around at a party or setting out on a dessert table without anyone making a mess.

Easy to decorate

It is actually pretty simple to decorate these penguins. Some melted chocolate, a candy eye; no piping bag or special skills required. Anyone can decorate them and make the marshmallow treats look charming.

Fun edible craft activity

Consider this a craft session rather than cooking, and then enjoy the result at the end. It’s a great activity for children who enjoy creating something with their hands.

Great for birthdays and Christmas parties

These penguin chocolate dipped marshmallows are always a crowd pleaser at parties. They're a festive delight on a birthday dessert table and go just as well at a Christmas party as at any other holiday event.

Minimal preparation required

There are no lengthy steps to follow here. Just a bit of melting, a bit of dipping and some easy decoration, making it perfect for kids. Everything gets ready in no time without turning the kitchen upside down.

Tips To Get Smooth Chocolate Covered Marshmallows Every Time

Melt chocolate slowly

Most people make the mistake of hastening the melting process. Low and slow heat produces smooth and glossy chocolate, which will coat evenly.

Avoid overheating chocolate

If the chocolate has been heated too much, it will be grainy and lumpy and can never be saved. Stir often and remove from heat slightly before cooked, the leftover heat will do the rest without burning.

Use dry marshmallows

Moisture and chocolate don't go together. A little bit of moisture in the marshmallow can cause the coating to go soggy or just fall off. Dry them off before dipping and dry your bowl and tools as well.

Let excess chocolate drip off

Dip and lift each marshmallow over the bowl for a few seconds and allow the excess chocolate to fall off. Prevents thick pools on the base and provides each penguin with a far tidier and cleaner appearance.

Chill properly before serving

After decorating penguins, allow sufficient time in the refrigerator to set. If you skip this step, it means smudged details and messy hands.

Common Mistakes To Avoid While Making Marshmallow Penguins

Using overheated chocolate

The moment chocolate is too hot, it will become difficult to work with. It becomes thick, grainy and not smooth. Never walk away from the heat while it is melting and stir often, keeping the heat low.

Adding decorations too late

Once the chocolate sets completely, decorations won't stick to it anymore. It's only going to be tacky for only a few minutes, so get everything ready in advance and decorate once your penguin is dipped.

Skipping baking paper

Although this may seem like a minor detail, your penguins will cling to whatever surface you place them on if you don't use a baking paper. It is very annoying to get them off without breaking the base, so to avoid it just line the tray first.

Refrigerating before decorating

A common rush error is putting them in the fridge before the details are added in. After the chocolate is completely set and cold, there will be no good adhesion to it. Decorate first then refrigerate to allow everything to set.

Using warm marshmallows

Warm marshmallows are hard to work with for this marshmallow recipe. The chocolate will not spread out evenly and will easily slide off. Remember they should be firm and cool before you begin.

Best Chocolate For Making Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows

Milk chocolate for sweeter taste

It's sweet, creamy and liquefies easily, and perfect for making Christmas marshmallow treats that children and adults both love. Milk chocolate is a good choice if you are looking for something that will be liked by most people.

Dark chocolate for richer flavour

For a less sweet option, dark chocolate will lend a rich chocolatey flavour, complementing the sweet marshmallow. It adds an adult level flavour to the marshmallow penguin recipe without being a disappointment.

Compound chocolate vs couverture

This chocolate does not require tempering and is easy to work with, making it perfect for creating chocolate covered marshmallows at home. Couverture is a superior finish with good snap, but needs more precision.

Why Dairy Milk works well

Cadbury Dairy Milk is the ideal choice for making a chocolate marshmallow as it melts evenly, and coats the marshmallows very easily. It is widely available and gives you good results with no special technique.

Tips for smooth melting

To achieve smooth, shiny chocolate-dipped marshmallows, melt in short bursts and stir in between. A little coconut oil thins the chocolate, giving a much cleaner even coating.

Fun Decorating Ideas For Marshmallow Penguins

Candy scarves

Place a strip of sour belt around each penguin's neck to make a little scarf. It gives a pop of colour and the marshmallow penguins looks like they are wearing winter clothes.

White chocolate snow details

To represent the falling snow, pour a little melted white chocolate around the plate of penguin Christmas dessert. This little touch will make a difference giving a Christmas feel.

Coconut snow topping

Spread desiccated coconut across a plate and place your finished penguins Christmas treats on top. It creates a little snowy scene that looks really sweet.

Mini Santa hats

These penguins look extra Christmassy when covered with small fondant or candy Santa hats. Use pre-made ones, or make your own using red and white fondant.

Sprinkle decorations

Add colorful sprinkles to your marshmallow penguins for a festive touch. Use different shapes and colors to create fun, eye-catching designs.

Easy Variations Of Chocolate Marshmallow Treats You Can Try

White chocolate marshmallows

If you want something that looks different, but tastes the same, just replace dark chocolate with white chocolate. It will give you a creamier, sweeter flavor, which complements pastel-colored decorations.

Oreo marshmallow treats

Mix crushed Oreo cookies into melted marshmallows and chocolate, then press into a pan. Once set, cut into squares for a crunchy treat.

Christmas marshmallow pops

Stick a lollipop stick into each marshmallow before dipping in chocolate and you have a no mess, fun-to-decorate and easy Christmas marshmallow pop.

Chocolate marshmallow skewers

Put 2 or 3 dipped marshmallows onto the sticks, along with small pieces of fruit in between. Marshmallows on a skewer are a fun and shareable treat, perfect for a dessert table.

Holiday-themed dipped marshmallows

Penguins are not the only option! With a few adjustments to the decoration, you can create chocolate dipped marshmallows in Christmas themes such as snowmen or Christmas trees.

How To Store Chocolate Covered Marshmallows Properly

Store in airtight containers

Store chocolate covered marshmallows treats in a tightly closed container. They get dry quickly when exposed to air within a short period and their texture changes.

Keep refrigerated in warm weather

At warmer temperatures, the chocolate may become soft and lose its shape. Place in the fridge to ensure they remain solid and intact, particularly if you are preparing them ahead of time.

Best consumed within 2–3 days

The marshmallow treats are best to consume within 2-3 days after making. After that, the treat begins to show signs of deterioration.

Prevent chocolate sweating

Chocolate sweats too rapidly between cold and warm temperatures. Remove them from the fridge a few minutes before serving.

Layer with parchment paper

When stacking them in a container, line the container between each layer with a sheet of parchment paper. This prevents them from gluing together and makes sure that the decorations remain intact.

How To Serve Marshmallow Penguins For Christmas Parties

Dessert platters

Place them on a large board or platter with other sweet items for a dessert display that appears celebratory.

Hot chocolate toppers

Try balancing a penguin on the edge of a mug or drop one into a mug of hot chocolate. It can elevate even the simplest cup of hot chocolate into a special treat.

Christmas dessert tables

Place them upright in small clusters all over a Christmas dessert table for decorative appeal and as a snack. They resemble a little penguin community and add a sweet addition to the entire arrangement.

Kids’ party snack trays

Line them up on individual snack trays for kids' party. Simple to master, not overly messy and children will love this chocolate penguin.

Edible holiday gift boxes

For a simple homemade gift, pack a few marshmallow penguins Christmas treats in a small box lined with parchment paper. They make a thoughtful gift for Christmas that is more special than a store bought gift.

Pro Tips For The Best Chocolate Marshmallow Recipe

Use room-temperature marshmallows

Cold marshmallows can cause the chocolate dip to set too fast and crack. It’s better to let them sit out for a little while first so the coating has time to settle.

Chill trays before decorating

Chocolate melts quickly when you drop each penguin in, so if the lined tray is put in the fridge for a few minutes before you begin, it sets faster. It helps to keep things tidy and prevents them from sliding.

Use toothpicks for easier dipping

Place a toothpick through each marshmallow before dipping so you can hold on to them. It leaves your fingers clean, provides more control, and the dipping is much less cumbersome.

Decorate before chocolate hardens

Have all your decorations laid out and ready before you start dipping. Chocolate sets very rapidly, so be quick and decorated immediately after dipping.

Use thick melted chocolate coating

Coating being too light will run off and leave areas patchy. If the mixture is too watery, allow it to cool down a little, and it will thicken as it cools.