The marshmallow was originally discovered over 2000 years ago by the ancient Egyptians, boiling the sap from the mallow plant (Althaea officinalis) and honey together to create a thick gooey mixture. The mixture from the wild salty water marshes was considered to be very special and reserved for the gods and royalty. Today marshmallows can be found in various shapes and sizes, as well as a vast number of flavours including key lime pie, lemon sorbet, salted caramel and many more. Here are easy to make at home, Christmas marshmallow treats.
Christmas Marshmallow Creations
I don't know about you but I love marshmallows in my hot chocolate, marshmallow smores and toasted marshmallows. Here in Edinburgh, we have the delightful Marshmallow Lady who creates a wide range of incredibly flavoured marshmallows.
Chocolate Marshmallow Reindeer
What you will need:
Marshmallows - Morrisons
Chocolate - Morrisons
Pretzels - Morrissons
Edible eyes and something for Rudolph's red nose (we used Marks and Spencer's red balls inside their Rudolph Munch but you could use red icing).
Gently boil some cold water in a pan and place a glass bowl filled with chocolate above it. Stir the chocolate until melted, then remove from the heat. Cover the marshmallows in chocolate, then place on the pretzels, Rudolph's red nose and edible eyes. Great fun for all ages (wink).
Marshmallow Snowmen
What you will need:
A packet of marshmallows - Asda
Cake decorating pens - Asda
Marshmallow snowmen are really easy to make, melt in the hot chocolate and very quickly disappear!
I used a cocktail stick to hold a few marshmallows together and decorated them with the cake decorating pens. Though I found that the consistency was a bit runny (you might like to use coloured icing instead). I placed them in a mug filled with hot chocolate and squirty cream. Then I used some cake decorating toppers (from hobbycraft) to make more festive.