Chocolate Marshmallow Squares

 

Many will know these squares as chocolate stained glass windows, chocolate salami, chocolate marshmallow squares, peanut butter marshmallow squares, marshmallow squares, church windows or even rocky road... whatever the recipe name they all use those sweet pantry staple confectionary ingredients and require no oven baking. The only other requirement or trick with these squares is to not over stir and move diligently. You can omit the peanut butter if you wish however I found the slight hint of peanut butter adds a bit of salty savouriness that cuts through the sweetness. I did place the package of marshmallows in the freezer before using so they will hold their shape better while stirring them together with the melted chocolate. 

Chocolate Marshmallow Squares

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1/2 cup unsalted butter

4 heaping tablespoons smooth peanut butter

2 x 270 gram bags (540 grams) semi sweet chocolate chips

2 x 250g packages (400 - 500 grams) of white mini marshmallows

1/2 cup Kellogg's Rice Krispie cereal

1/2 cup shredded coconut, for decorating

1/2 cup roughly chopped pecans, for decorating

Line the bottom of a 13 x 9 rectangle tin foil pan with baking parchment paper.

Place the marshmallows and Rice Krispie cereal in a large heat proof bowl. Lightly toss together and set aside.

Using a large saucepan, melt the butter and peanut butter on the stove over medium high heat. Once melted together, add the chocolate chips and slowly melt until creamy and smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture over the marshmallows and cereal and quickly toss to coat. Do not over stir and you do not want to melt the marshmallows.

Pour the mixture into the prepared tin foil pan and tap the mixture into place, do not smush it down. Sprinkle with the shredded coconut and the chopped pecans. Place in the refrigerator overnight to chill and set. Once firm cut into squares.  

Notes: you can use different nuts or cereal, add dried fruit or add crushed cookie pieces. You can use mini multi fruit flavoured marshmallows, they will give a different flavour.  

Food Photo of the Day ~ Pumpkin Walnut Loaf with Melted Marshmallows

Yes, I made a pumpkin loaf during the summer. I credit this, on me overhearing  a customer order a Pumpkin Spice latté this week at the local coffee shop. I suppose with some of the leaves already turning colour; one may feeling that fall is on it's way. With this loaf I got a bit inspired by those recipes of pumpkin pie with a marshmallow topping. I prepared and baked the pumpkin loaf as per usual according to the recipe; however when the loaf was finished I placed cut pieces of maple marshmallows on top and placed it back in the oven for a few minutes, until the marshmallow bits started to melt and get brown. The melted marshmallow top added an enjoyable sweet gooeyness to this spiced autumnal loaf.  

Hope everyone is having a good week, so far! -JD   

Oven S'mores

If you are wondering how our oven s'mores, made with maple marshmallows, turned out here they are. Dark chocolate cuts the sweetness and the maple marshmallows gave a lovely hint of maple to such an agreeable treat. Oven s'mores are simple and fun! 

Preheat oven to 350ºF and line a baking tray with baking parchment paper. Place graham crackers in rows according to how many you are making on the prepared baking sheet; place a few chocolate chips or pieces of shaved chocolate on top of the graham cracker, then place a marshmallow over the chocolate, (cut the marshmallow in half, if you have to) add more chocolate and place the open s'mores in the preheated oven. Keeping a watchful eye and checking quite frequently until the chocolate has melted a bit and the marshmallows become puffy.

At this point shut off the oven and turn the broiler on to high. Still keeping a watchful eye... allow the chocolate to melt, just a bit more and the marshmallows to achieve a nice golden brown status... about 2 to 3 minutes.   

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place another graham cracker on top of each of the open s'mores. Pressing down gently. Being careful, as they are hot, and use a lifter to remove the covered s'mores from the baking sheet and place on a serving plate.   

Enjoying the melted chocolate marshmallow crunch! 

Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine! - JD 

Cornflake Squares

Keeping it simple... and quite frankly what to do with a large box of cornflakes that everyone has grown tired of. I think I prefer these over rice krispie treats. They have almonds, coconut, dried fruit, and cereal all mashed about in marshmallowy gooeyness with a touch of chocolate on top.    

Cornflake Squares

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1/2 cup of butter

1 package (400g) of mini marshmallows

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup flaked coconut

1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped

4 cups cornflake cereal

good quality chocolate, melted for drizzling over the top

9x13 inch pan buttered and lined with baking parchment paper.

Place the butter into a large saucepan and gently melt over medium heat. Stirring occasionally, add the marshmallows; allowing to melt and combine with the butter. Add the sliced almonds, flaked coconut and chopped cranberries, stirring to combine then add the cornflakes, stirring once again until nicely coated. Press into the prepared 9x13 inch pan and allow to set for about 1/2 an hour. 

When set, melt the dark chocolate and drizzle over the top. Allowing the chocolate to cool and set then cut into squares. 

Notes: You can toast the sliced almonds and coconut if you like. 

Hope everyone is having a great week. A bit on the chilly side here. - JD 

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Squares

Adding peanut butter instantly revives the traditional rice krispie treats. Adding a drizzle of chocolate on top finishes the accomplished culinary resurrection and brings it to chocolate peanut butter heaven. My mum would make these quite often and they were devoured quickly. Not always with chocolate on top because these are quite enjoyable when plain too. There are plenty of ways one can add different flavours or ingredients to this meek sweet treat. You just have to let your culinary creativity decide.  

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Squares

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1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup smooth no salt natural peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 package (400g) of mini marshmallows

6 cups Rice Krispie cereal

Optional: Melted dark or milk chocolate for drizzling on top. 

Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish. Set aside. 

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over low to medium heat. Once melted stir in the marshmallows. Stir until melted.

Add the peanut butter and vanilla and stir until combined, remove from heat.

Stir in the rice krispies. When everything is coated nicely press into the prepared pan. Cool completely then cut into squares. Drizzle with melted chocolate, if you like. Allow to set. 

Have a good weekend everyone! - JD 

Ambrosia Salad

Every now and again Ambrosia salad seems to grace many holiday tables, buffet style gatherings and backyard barbeques. They say Ambrosia is the food of the gods. I doubt if this salad was what they had in mind. Although in appearance Ambrosia Salad seems very cloud like. Truth be told it is sweet, fruity, and is simply an easy plate filler to make for those times when you want a dish so recognizable it becomes legendary. I know for myself whenever I see a bowl of Ambrosia I am unmistakably drawn to the fluffy white mass cradled in the bowl. Perplexed by the simple ingredients however delighted by the contrasting burst of sweet coconut mallow and citrus sour. And if you are looking for a bit of fluff and filler mixed with a bit of sweet and sour while entertaining this holiday season, Ambrosia Salad is perfect. If you have kids, they can easily make this salad with little or no supervision, depends on the age. 

Ambrosia Salad

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1 can (11oz) mandarin oranges, drained

1 can (13oz) pineapple chunks, drained

1 cup flaked coconut

1 cup light sour cream or 1/2 cup whipping cream

1 cup mini marshmallows

Mix all ingredients together. Chill for several hours or overnight. 

Notes: I also added chopped pieces of walnuts and a bit more coconut.

You may also want to add cherries, to make it more festive. Grapes would be a nice addition. Possibly adding some toasted coconut might be nice. 

Enjoy the weekend everyone! Mine, will consist of shovelling more snow! and more Christmas baking. - JW