Our grandson’s love for mush-a-fro-rows (marshmallows) inspired this marshmallow craft and recipe. No doubt, it was love at first bite. Just three years old when his mother filmed the video below, he proclaimed the sweet confections were “yum yum.”
In fact, s’mores are his campfire favorite. This summer, what’s more, we’re planning to taste-test the delicious campfire recipes in “Bronner’s Flavorful Favorites, Book 2” staff cookbook that incorporate marshmallows. Without a doubt, I’m sure they’ll be our grandson’s new favorites!
Marshmallow History
Ancient Egypt About 2000 BCE
To begin with, marshmallows trace their origins back to ancient Egypt. Beginning about 2000 BC, people extracted sap from the root of the marsh mallow plant (Althaea officinalis). They then mixed it with honey to create a sweet treat reserved for royalty and the gods. What’s more, Egyptians also valued the plant, which grows in marshy areas, for its medicinal properties. Marsh mallow, for example, sooths sore throats and digestive issues.
Marshmallows and French Confectioners
Later, by the 19th century in France, confectioners began whipping the plant’s sap with sugar and egg whites. This created a fluffy candy known as pâte de guimauve. Then as demand increased, the labor-intensive extraction process was replaced with gelatin. Given that the gelatin mimicked the plant’s thickening properties, large-scale production became possible.
Marshmallows Become Popular in the United States
In the United States, marshmallows became popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s as candy makers refined manufacturing techniques. In light of the invention of the starch mogul system, confectioners could mold marshmallows into consistent shapes efficiently. Hence, marshmallows became known for the familiar cylindrical form still used today.
By the mid-20th century, companies like Kraft Foods popularized marshmallows through mass marketing and recipes such as sweet potato casseroles and s’mores. Today, we use marshmallows as a staple ingredient in desserts, hot chocolate, and campfire traditions. (You’ll want to try our s’more brownies recipe!) In brief, you will find its use far removed from its ancient medicinal beginnings. Let’s get started with our marshmallow craft and recipe!
Marshmallow Craft & Recipe for the Entire Family!
DIY Marshmallow Bird Craft
Supplies
- regular-sized marshmallows
- white frosting
- nonpareils
- pretzel sticks
- sliced almonds
- gummies or gumdrops of your choice
- scissors
- toothpicks
- parchment paper
- melted chocolate (see chocolate-covered marshmallow recipe below)
Directions
- To begin, trim a section off the first marshmallow at an angle. The piece should be the appropriate shape for the head with beak.
2. Using a toothpick, poke two holes in the head for eyes. With the sticky end of the toothpick, pick up the nonpareils and place them in the holes. If you have difficulty getting the eyes to stay in place, use a pinhead drop of frosting to secure each eye.
3.Trim a small, sticky piece from the remainder of the first marshmallow to use as the bird’s neck.
4. Next, trim two larger pieces off a second marshmallow at an angle to make wings.
5. Now, prepare a third marshmallow to serve as the body of the bird. Trim a spot off one end to attach the head. Then trim off a section on each side to attach wings.
6. Finally, press the neck onto the body, the head onto the neck, and the wings onto the body. If you have difficulty getting any body part to stay in place, use a small amount of frosting as paste to secure it.
Additional Notes for Marshmallow Craft & Recipe
- Standing/Walking Bird: Poke two pretzel sticks in the bottom of the body marshmallow. For a standing bird, poke the base of both pretzels in one gummy/gumdrop. For a walking bird, poke the base of each pretzel in separate gummies/gumdrops.
- Adding Feathers to Wings: Spread a moderate layer of frosting on the outside of each wing. Beginning on the front of the wing, stick sliced almonds into the wing like feathers, underlapping them a little as you move toward the rear of the wing. *Please Note*: Adding sliced-almond feathers will only work on nesting birds. The almond feathers are too heavy on standing/walking birds and will tip them over.
- Nesting Bird: Melt chocolate chips as directed in the chocolate-covered marshmallow recipe below. (The amount you will need will be dependent on the number of nests you are making.) Mix pretzel sticks (several should be broken into pieces of varying lengths) in the melted chocolate. Next, spoon them onto parchment paper and shape them into nests. Finally, let them dry and set for at least a few hours. Place birds without legs in the nests.
You’ll also find our lemon cake cookies another great nest option for your birds.
Chocolate-Covered Marshmallows (Mush-a-fro-rows😄)
Chocolate-Covered Marshmallows (Mush-a-fro-rows)
Equipment
- 1 microwave-safe mixing bowl
- 1 metal tablespoon for mixing ingredients & coating marshmallows
- 1 measuring tablespoon
- 1 sheet of parchment paper
- 12 cake pop sticks
- 12 clear plastic cake pop bags with twist ties
Ingredients
- 9 oz. chocolate chips milk or semisweet chocolate or mix
- 1 tablespoon shortening
- 12 regular marshmallows
- sprinkles your choice
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl for :30 increments, stirring every :30 until the chocolate chips are melted and smooth.
- Poke a cake-pop stick into each marshmallow.
- One by one, cover each marshmallow with melted chocolate, shake sprinkles onto it and set upright on parchment paper to set.
- Let set for a few hours or speed setting by placing on a tray in a refrigerator.
- Place each mush-a-fro-row in a cake-pop bag and twist-tie tightly.
This Marshmallow Craft & Recipe Make Me Think Spring!
Without a doubt, marshmallows are an all-season treat. This marshmallow craft and recipe, however, really made me think spring. And Bronner’s has some beautiful spring decor!
Featured in our spring hutch:
-
- 6 ft. Canton Pine Artificial Garland
- Colorful Mini Flower Pots/Vases, #1259660
- Word Garden Party Art, #1255737
- 5-Inch Blue Bird, #1255612
- Peyton Mug Ivory
- Peyton Dinner Plate Ivory
- Glass Egg Ornament With Pink and Purple Flowers
- 7-inch Whitewash Bead Tray With Glass Cloche
Next was our shelf – I just couldn’t stop decorating for spring!
Featured on our shelf:
- Cotton Tail Farms Sign Art, #1257772
- Dahlia Stem in Glass Vase, #1257677
- Bunnies With Bows Figurine, #1259655
- Multi Color Starburst Ornament