Ube Ditto Marshmallows in a Matcha Latte for Ultimate Cozy Vibes

Take your downtime to the next level with these adorable Pokémon-inspired marshmallows and a soothing matcha latte.

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Image Credit: Bianca Fernandez

If you ask me, cold winter weather is worth it for the soothing drinks alone. I've always loved sipping hot cocoa or lattes in the comfort of my home while snow falls peacefully outside. And while traditional mini marshmallows are a fine addition to these cozy wintertime beverages, I've often wished I could dress up my drinks with flavored specialty marshmallows—but they can be tough to come by. The solution? DIY, of course! Enter: my very own recipe for ube marshmallows.

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Making homemade marshmallows might sound intimidating, but these ube marshmallows require just a few ingredients: water, sugar, gelatin, ube extract and cornstarch. To take my marshmallow recipe to the next level, I dreamed up a Pokémon-themed design that would make Pikachu proud: Ditto-shaped 'mallows. Other beloved Pokémon, like Mew, Bulbasaur or Squirtle, might have required a bit more expertise and shaping, but the fact that Ditto is essentially a blob makes him an accessible design choice for beginners. The gamers, anime enthusiasts and Pokémon fans in your life will be especially impressed, but these Ditto marshmallows will delight just about anyone.

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Video: Ube Ditto Marshmallows in a Matcha Latte for Ultimate Cozy Vibes

Image Credit: Bianca Fernandez

For a perfect pairing, I whipped up a matcha latte to accompany my adorable marshmallows. The addition of a green matcha background reminds me of spotting Pokémon in the wild (and catching 'em all!). Ready to create your own batch? Let's get making!

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Image Credit: Bianca Fernandez

Quick Recipe Overview

SERVING SIZE:‌ 16–20 Dittos and one matcha latte

PREP TIME:‌ 30 minutes

DRYING TIME:‌ 10 minutes

TOTAL TIME: ‌40 minutes

Part 1: Ube Ditto Marshmallows

Things You'll Need

  • Candy thermometer

  • Saucepan

  • Hand or stand mixer

  • Heat-safe medium-large bowl or bowl of stand mixer

  • Small bowl

  • Piping bag

  • Baking tray

  • Parchment paper

  • Toothpick or cookie scribe

  • One packet gelatin

  • 1/4 cup water

  • 3/4 cup sugar

  • 1/4 cup water

  • 1 tsp. ube extract

  • Food coloring (black)

  • Cornstarch, for dusting

How to make Ube Ditto Marshmallows:

1. Prepare ingredients

Image Credit: Bianca Fernandez

Measure all the ingredients into separate bowls. This will reduce your work and time later.

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2. Bloom gelatin

Image Credit: Bianca Fernandez

In a large heat-safe mixing bowl (this means no plastic, as you'll be pouring hot liquid into it later) or the bowl of a stand mixer, pour 1/4 cup cold water and then sprinkle one envelope of gelatin on top. Set it aside to let the gelatin soak up the liquid.

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Tip

Blooming gelatin ensures your finished product is smooth and doesn't have any clumps!

3. Make sugar syrup

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In a saucepan, add 1/4 cup water and all the sugar. Turn the heat to medium and let it cook for a few minutes until the sugar fully dissolves.

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When the mixture starts boiling, check the temperature using a candy thermometer. Once it reaches about 240°F/115°C, remove the sugar and water mixture from the heat.

4. Whip bloomed gelatin and sugar syrup

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On a medium speed, whip the bloomed gelatin while slowly drizzling in the hot sugar syrup.

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Tip

If you're feeling especially creative, take this recipe further and make your own Pokémon hot chocolate bombs. Shape the cocoa bombs as Pokéballs, fill the inside with completed Ditto marshmallows and let your creations melt in hot milk to reveal a fun surprise for whoever's sipping, Pokémon fan or not!

5. Add ube extract

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Add ube extract and whip for about 10 minutes or until the mixture is thick and glossy and has doubled in size and reached soft peaks. It should be easily spreadable.

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Be careful not to overwhip or the resulting marshmallows will fall apart and be hard to spread.

6. Transfer marshmallow mix into piping bag

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Reserve about 1 Tbsp. of marshmallow mixture and set it aside in a small bowl for later. Transfer the remaining marshmallow batter into a piping bag.

Tip

The marshmallow mixture will start to set over time. If it’s too thick to pipe, place the piping bag in a microwaveable bowl or cup and microwave at two- to three-second intervals. If you microwave it too much, it will be too liquidy. If this happens, let the piping bag rest for a few minutes.

7. Pipe Ditto bodies

Image Credit: Bianca Fernandez

Line a baking tray with parchment paper and then coat the entire surface with cornstarch. Pipe the Ditto shapes on top. Again, if the marshmallow mixture starts to set while in the piping bag, pop it in the microwave at two- to three-second intervals.

8. Draw Ditto faces

Image Credit: Bianca Fernandez

Melt the reserved 1 Tbsp. of marshmallow mix in a microwave for three to five seconds and then stir in black food coloring. Use a toothpick or cookie scribe to draw on Ditto's face.

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9. Coat Dittos in cornstarch

Image Credit: Bianca Fernandez

Fully coat the Dittos in cornstarch and let them sit for about 10 minutes. Brush off the excess.

Part 2: Matcha Latte

Things You'll Need

  • Matcha whisk

  • Small, heat-safe bowl

  • Mug

  • 1 tsp. matcha powder, sifted

  • 1/4 cup water, hot

  • 1/4 cup milk of choice, warmed

  • Sweetener of choice

How to make a Matcha Latte:

1. Prepare ingredients

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Measure out the ingredients.

2. Whisk matcha and hot water

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Whisk together the sifted matcha until frothy. Stir in the sweetener of your choice.

Tip

Make sure not to add too much sweetener since the marshmallows will melt into your drink and make it sweeter!

3. Pour matcha into warmed milk

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Add the frothed matcha to your mug along with warmed milk. Add extra water, milk or sweetener to taste. Plop on a Ditto marshmallow and enjoy! Store the marshmallows in an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dry space for up to one month.

Image Credit: Bianca Fernandez

When paired with these Pokémon marshmallows, any hot beverage will feel cozier than a hug from Snorlax. If that weren't enough, you now have the skills for making all sorts of marshmallows at home—so get creative, get mixing and bring your sweet ideas to life.

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