$10 late last night for an impulse buy: a cookie-butter waffle purchased from a tiny restaurant on South Boulevard, eaten hastily in Mike’s car (using fingers instead of forks) as we talked about our big plans.
$5 this morning to park Mike’s car in a dusty gravel lot before walking a few city blocks hand in hand, dodging construction tape and ducking into the wrong building before finally finding our way.
$60 passed to a woman wearing a rhinestone heart ring and gold eye shadow, who typed a few things into the computer before printing, signing, and handing over our marriage license in a clear cellophane bag.
$30 for a celebratory lunch — orecchiette with sausage for me, pan-fried trout for Mike — at a little Italian restaurant buzzing with businesspeople at business lunch meetings.
$1.89 for a fountain Coke Zero from Chick-fil-a on the way home after baking our way through the city all afternoon.
The costs added up this weekend, but the total doesn’t come close to what I received in return: the memory of spending the-weekend-before-our-wedding with my fiancé, getting our marriage license and realizing together that this is really happening. What a crazy, surreal, tricky, scary, wonderful life.
* * *
Have a little celebration of your own with these indulgent homemade S’mores Marshmallows. The marshmallows are marbled with melted chocolate, rolled in graham cracker crumbs, and topped with a hot fudge drizzle. If you’re thinking that homemade marshmallows sound difficult, by the way, think again. If you can heat something on the stove and turn on your mixer, you got this — just use a candy thermometer and be careful with the hot sugar.
One year ago: Anthony’s Cinnamon & Walnut Zucchini Bread (gluten-free adaptation included)
Two years ago: Fig, Prosciutto, and Arugula Pizza
Three years ago: Chocolate Mousse Pie
Four years ago: Mango Raspberry Rosecakes
Homemade S’mores Marshmallows
Recipe by: Willow Bird Baking
Yield: 100+ 1-inch marshmallows!
These S’mores Marshmallows are homemade marshmallows marbled with chocolate and rolled in graham cracker crumbs. For a cute party treat, cut them into 1-inch cubes, drizzle them with hot fudge, and stick a toothpick in each one.
Ingredients:
3 packages unflavored gelatin
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup Hershey’s Baking Melts*, chopped
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, melted and cooled (I used 1 cup semisweet and 1/2 cup 60% cacao Ghirardelli chips)
graham cracker crumbs, for dusting
hot fudge, for topping
*Karly turned me on to these and they’re perfect for this application, but you can use chocolate chips or even chocolate kisses if you need to.
Directions:
NOTE: Homemade marshmallows are easy if you do a few things. First, spray any measuring cups or tools you’ll be using with cooking spray. Greased measuring cups are great for easily measuring sticky corn syrup, and greased spatulas make working with the marshmallow mixture a lot easier. Second, get all your ingredients and pans measured and prepared before you start. Finally, once the marshmallows are all whipped up and you’re ready to swirl in the melted chocolate and pour the mixture in the pan, work quickly — if you wait too long, they are harder to work with.
Prepare a 9 x 12 inch glass baking dish by sprinkling in a layer of graham cracker crumbs (don’t be skimpy — this will prevent the marshmallows from sticking). Sprinkle the chopped baking melts over this layer and set the dish aside.
Place 1/2 cup cold water into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (marshmallows are a ton easier with a stand mixer) and sprinkle all the gelatin over top to soften it. Let this sit while you make your syrup.
In a heavy medium saucepan, combine corn syrup, sugar, salt, and 1/2 cup water. Cook this over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves, swirling periodically, and then turn the heat up to high. Cook it until it reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer (softball stage). Turn your mixer onto low and drizzle the hot syrup into your softened gelatin. When it’s all poured in, turn the mixer up to high and whip it until the mixture is thick and cooled, about 15 minutes. Then mix in the vanilla well.
Quickly remove the mixing bowl and using a greased spatula, fold in the melted and cooled chocolate. Don’t mix it in all the way — I think it looks pretty if it stays “marbled.” Then quickly scrape all the marshmallow mixture out into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle on another solid layer of graham cracker crumbs (again, no skimping!). Let your marshmallows dry, uncovered, overnight. Run a knife around the edges and turn them out onto a cutting board, slicing them as desired (mine pictured above are probably too big — they are super rich and sweet! I recommend 1-inch squares). Then dip the sides into graham cracker crumbs to coat.
21 Comments on Homemade S’mores Marshmallows
3Pingbacks & Trackbacks on Homemade S’mores Marshmallows
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Belinda @themoonblushbaker
July 30, 2013 at 4:25 pm (11 years ago)These are so original. I love the use of the crumble on the outside, it makes for a wonderful contrast against that fluffy inside. It is so sweet you tell us about these moments, they are rare aren’t they?
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
July 30, 2013 at 5:06 pm (11 years ago)Who knew marshmallows could have so much going on in them! Love it.
Coco @ Opera Girl Cooks
July 30, 2013 at 5:29 pm (11 years ago)Congratulations, Julie! You deserve all the happiness in the world, and I hope you have a wonderful ceremony!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
July 30, 2013 at 6:22 pm (11 years ago)First off, these marshmallows…I can almost taste them. I have never ventured into marshmallow-making territory, but you have certainly inspired me to reconsider.
Secondly, I wish you and Mike the most fabulous wedding day. Sounds like it all really does work out in the end. Congratulations!
Amy @ Elephant Eats
July 30, 2013 at 7:16 pm (11 years ago)Congrats on getting your marriage license!!! It feels so official now, right? As for these marshmallows…holy cow! I want them! Marshmallows have been on my to-do list for a while now and when I finally bite the bullet and make them, this is definitely going to be the recipe 🙂
Jessica @ Sunny Side Up
July 30, 2013 at 10:54 pm (11 years ago)Your weekend sounds well worth the money. 🙂 Yay for getting a marriage license. And what an awesome idea for marshmallows!
DessertForTwo
July 31, 2013 at 12:49 am (11 years ago)Already?! That was a quick planning period! I say just go for it! Get hitched! 🙂
Sarah | The Sugar Hit
July 31, 2013 at 1:33 am (11 years ago)That sounds like just about the best weekend. I love that you guys ‘talk about your big plans’ my boyfriend and I do that all the time. Plus these marshmallows are bonkers.
Tame Adams
July 31, 2013 at 2:15 am (11 years ago)congratulations again sweet gal 🙂 These marshmallows look yummy!!
Karly
July 31, 2013 at 2:59 am (11 years ago)Eeeeek! So excited for you guys! 🙂
And, of course, I want these marshmallows in my face immediately.
Tieghan
July 31, 2013 at 3:24 am (11 years ago)So exciting!! I Hope you guys have beautiful wedding day!!
Ok, now these marshmallows!! So amazing and creative! I love that gooey chocolate and the extra drizzle too!
Kerri
July 31, 2013 at 5:31 am (11 years ago)South Boulevard? Do you live in Charlotte by chance?
Also congrats!
Kerri
July 31, 2013 at 5:33 am (11 years ago)Nevermind I read your bio. I lived in Rock Hill, SC for 25 years. 😀
Julie Ruble
July 31, 2013 at 5:42 am (11 years ago)Hello, neighbor! 🙂 You should make a quick trek up to the Crispy Crepe for their cookie butter waffle — it’s to die for!
Jane
July 31, 2013 at 12:41 pm (11 years ago)These look gorgeous! I love the idea of making marshmallows 🙂 This recipe is a must try. Congrats, by the way!
Jennifer-The Adventuresome Kitchen
July 31, 2013 at 2:39 pm (11 years ago)You’re getting married this weekend!!!!!! YAY!!!! Way to go!!! Hope it’s beautiful, lovely, wonderful, that your cake is delicious, your flowers perfect and that it’s as special as the two of you are!!! SO happy for you both!!!! Many congratulations and best wishes for a bright future together!!
PS- LOVE the marshmallows!!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
August 1, 2013 at 11:41 am (11 years ago)Ah I can’t believe you are getting married in just a few days, SO exciting!!! Best wishes to you and Mike!!!
I think I should make these marshmallows to celebrate:-)
Stephanie @ Macaroni and Cheesecake
August 9, 2013 at 12:27 am (11 years ago)What an incredible idea to combine all the elements of s’mores into the marshmallows!