Chocolate Covered Marshmallow!! Super easy and great for Valentine’s day!

I found Chocolate Covered Peeps during my first pregnancy and I loved them! But, they are kind of expensive (for this cheap girl anyway). So, I decided to make my own. I used cookie cutters to make the shapes, big and small. They are really fun and everyone loves them.

What you will need:
· Homemade Marshmallow. I used my recipe found here.
· ¼ cup of Corn Starch and ¼ cup Powdered Sugar mixed together. This keeps the marshmallows from sticking.
· Cookie cutters. Any shape and size will work
· A dipping tool or just a fork
· A microwave safe bowl and a brush
· 16 oz of Milk or Dark Chocolate Candy Melts
· A Silpat or Wax paper
· For decoration, I used a little white chocolate and heart sprinkles.
 
Steps:
1) Make your marshmallow. I made the marshmallow and poured it into a sheet pan with a Silpat on the bottom. The pan was covered in a mixture of equal parts corn starch and powdered sugar (like my recipe says to use). Allow the marshmallow at least 4 hours to set up. I waited overnight.

2) Sprinkle a cutting board with the corn starch and powdered sugar mixture. Peel the marshmallow off the pan and place on the cutting board. If you used a Silpat, remove that too.

3) Now, the fun begins!! Dip your cookie cutter in the corn starch and powdered sugar mixture. Press them into the marshmallow (just like making sugar cookies). Make sure you press straight down. Place the cut marshmallows on a Silpat or wax paper that is dusted with the corn starch and powdered sugar mixture.

Aren’t they cute?

 

The leftovers. Don’t throw it away. Cut them up and use in hot cocoa or just give the whole thing to your kids and give them a huge sugar high ;)

4) Once they are all cut out, brush off the extra corn starch and powdered sugar mixture with the pastry brush. Do this over the sink. It can get messy.

5) Now, they are ready for chocolate! I used Milk Chocolate Candy Melts. Follow the instructions on the back of the package or follow mine.

6) Place a marshmallow in the chocolate one at a time and pull them out with your fork. Be sure to tap off the excess chocolate. Place on your Silpat or Wax paper.

7) Now, decorate all you want! I used a little white chocolate and sprinkles to decorate mine for Valentine’s Day.

I made large hearts for Mr. Wonderful. I used a small zip-lock bag to pipe with white chocolate, but the piping isn’t very good. Learning to pipe with chocolate and icing is one of my New Year’s resolutions. They still taste great!

I just love how cute these are! I Hope you get a chance to try these!

Homemade Peeps! Have a fun treat all year round and in any shape you want!!

 

I love peeps! They always make you feel like a kid. It’s marshmallow and sugar. Who doesn’t love those two things?!? Well, I found a way to make peeps in any shape, size and color. They are really easy and here is how to do it:
 
What you will need:

· Marshmallows (I used my recipe found here). Homemade marshmallows are the best! So much better than the store bought.
· Cookie Cutters. Any size and shape will work. I used a small heart and flower. But, think of the endless options you could do!!
· A pastry brush
· ¼ cup of Corn Syrup
· Fine to regular colored sugars. The finer the sugar, the better. I wouldn’t use sanding sugar. That would be super course and would not cover very well.

Steps:

1) Make your marshmallow. I made the marshmallow and poured it into a sheet pan with a Silpat on the bottom. The pan was covered in a mixture of equal parts corn starch and powdered sugar (like my recipe says to use). Allow the marshmallow at least 4 hours to set up. I waited overnight.

2) Sprinkle a cutting board with the corn starch and powdered sugar mixture. Peel the marshmallow off the pan and place on the cutting board. If you used a Silpat, remove that too.

3) Now, the fun begins!! Dip your cookie cutter in the corn starch and powdered sugar mixture. Press them into the marshmallow (just like making sugar cookies). Make sure you press straight down. Place the cut marshmallows on a Silpat or wax paper that is dusted with the corn starch and powdered sugar mixture.

Aren’t they cute?

 

The leftovers. Don’t throw it away. Cut them up and use in hot cocoa or just give the whole thing to your kids and give them a huge sugar high ;)

4) Once they are all cut out, brush off the extra corn starch and powdered sugar mixture with the pastry brush. Do this over the sink. It can get messy.

5) Pour your sugars into small bowls. And pour your corn syrup into a small bowl too.

6) Cover a marshmallow in corn syrup (you can use a brush, but I found that using your fingers was easier). I covered 5 at a time.

7) Place the marshmallow in the sugars and cover completely.

8) Put on a Silpat or Plate to ‘dry out’ a bit.

There you go! Homemade peeps!! They are very fun to make! Next time I think I will make a giant peep. Hope you try them soon!!!

Caramallow Squares! Layers of Homemade Caramel and Marshmallow covered in Milk Chocolate!! Yummy!!

This recipe can be split into two different ones: Homemade Caramel and Homemade Marshmallow. But, when you put them together and cover them in chocolate, its pure heaven!
Thing you will need:
· Caramel from this recipe
· Marshmallow from this recipe
· 13 x 9 pan (and maybe an extra pan)
· Milk Chocolate Candy Melts
· Dipping tool or a fork
· Silpat Non-Stick Silicone Baking Liner
or Wax paper

Step to make Caramallow Squares:
1) Follow this recipe for caramels and pour into a 13 x 9 pan that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Allow to cool. I allowed it to cool while I made the Marshmallows.
2) Next, Make Marshmallows following this recipe. Pour on top of the caramel mixture. You may want the entire marshmallow on top or only half. I like only adding half. I put the rest of the marshmallow in another pan that has been sprayed with nonstick spray and sprinkled with cornstarch/powdered sugar mixture (equal parts).
3) Allow the Caramel/Marshmallow mixture to set up for at least four hours.
4) Remove from pan (gently pull the sides away from the pan and then use a spatula to remove the whole piece at once).
5) Spray your knife with nonstick spray and cut into the sizes you want.

6) Prepare chocolate by melting it using the directions on the package. What I do: Pour the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Take out ten wafers and set aside for later. Place the bowl in the microwave for 1 minute at 50% power. Stir. Repeat for another minute. Stir. Heat for 30 seconds more at 50% if needed. Stir. Now, test the chocolate. Put a small drop on your lip. If you feel any heat, it is too hot and you need to add the ten wafers that you set aside and stir until they are melted. This should be perfect. But, test it!
7) Place your Caramel/marshmallow square marshmallow side down in the chocolate. Use the fork to turn it over to cover that whole square. Then use the fork to lift the square up. Tap off the extra chocolate and slide onto a Silpat or wax paper.

8) Allow to dry and enjoy!!!