Tipsy Elephant Marshmallows Recipes

MARSHMALLOW FONDANT ELEPHANTS

Steps:

• For the marshmallow fondant: Combine the marshmallows and 1 1/2 teaspoons water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until melted and smooth, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Add about three-quarters of the sifted confectioners' sugar into the marshmallow mixture and stir to combine. Once the mixture becomes too stiff to stir, grease your counter and hands with shortening (or wear greased plastic, disposable gloves) and dump the mixture onto the counter. Knead, adding the remaining quarter of confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, until the fondant is very smooth, not sticky and holds its shape into a ball without relaxing. Use right away or grease it lightly with additional shortening, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight plastic bag or container at room temperature for up to several days.
• Remove a 1-ounce piece from the fondant ball (about 2 tablespoons). Color the 1-ounce piece bright pink (about 3 drops), rolling and kneading to evenly incorporate the color. Work in a little confectioners? sugar if the moisture from the food coloring makes the fondant too soft. (Wear plastic, disposable gloves and wash your hands well between colors so as not to bleed colors.) Pull off an almond-sized piece from the large white piece of fondant and color dark black (about 2 drops), working in additional confectioners' sugar if needed. Color the remaining fondant bright blue (about 6 drops), working in additional confectioners' sugar if needed.
• For the elephant head, trunk, ears and legs: Divide the blue fondant into 6 pieces. Cut 1 piece in half. With greased hands, roll a half into a head with an elongated trunk and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a wooden skewer to poke 2 nostrils in the end of the trunk. Divide the remaining half into 4 pieces: roll 2 pieces into stubby legs. Press together to join in a "v" shape. Roll and flatten the other 2 pieces into large round ears, about 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Repeat with the remaining 5 pieces of blue fondant.
• For the inside of the ear: Divide the pink fondant into 12 pieces. Roll and flatten 2 pieces of pink fondant into rounds a little smaller than the blue ears and stick them in the middle of the blue ears. Repeat with the remaining 10 pieces.
• Build the elephants: Arrange a set of legs on the parchment, "v" point-up. Arrange the ears above the legs so that they are just barely touching. Rest the head on top of the ears and legs, pressing lightly to adhere. Drape the trunk over one of the legs. Use a 1/4-inch round pastry tip to make toe indentations in the tip of each leg. Roll 2 tiny black balls and press in to adhere.
• Repeat with the remaining fondant to make 5 more elephants.
• Let the elephants dry, uncovered, overnight.

DIY CHOCOLATE DIP WITH MARSHMALLOWS AND FRUIT

Steps:

• Fill a medium saucepot with 1 inch of water and place over medium-low heat to bring the water to a simmer. Place the bittersweet and Mexican chocolate in a bowl that will fit over the top of the saucepot without touching the water. Melt the chocolate over the water, stirring occasionally, until smooth.
• Place the cream and salt in a saucepot over medium-high heat and bring to a bare simmer. Slowly whisk the warm cream, 1/2 cup at a time, into the chocolate until the dip has the consistency of chocolate sauce. Transfer to a serving bowl or fondue pot and cover to keep warm until ready to use. Serve with the marshmallows, sprinkles, nuts and fruit.

EMILY'S FAMOUS MARSHMALLOWS

Steps:

• Dust a 9x9 inch square dish generously with confectioners' sugar.
• In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together white sugar, corn syrup and 3/4 cup water. Heat to 250 to 265 degrees F (121 to 129 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a rigid ball.
• While syrup is heating, place remaining water in a metal bowl and sprinkle gelatin over the surface. Place bowl over simmering water until gelatin has dissolved completely. Keep in a warm place until syrup has come to temperature. Remove syrup from heat and whisk gelatin mixture into hot syrup. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, whip egg whites to soft peaks. Continue to beat, pouring syrup mixture into egg whites in a thin stream, until the egg whites are very stiff. Stir in vanilla. Spread evenly in prepared pan and let rest 8 hours or overnight before cutting.

MARSHMALLOW EASTER CRITTERS

Steps:

• Coat a 9 1/2-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray,and dust with confectioners' sugar, tapping out excess. Sprinklegelatin over cold water in the bowl of a mixer. Let stand for 5 minutes to soften.
• Meanwhile, heat granulated sugar and room-temperature water in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Wash down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush. Cook until syrup reaches 238 degrees on a candy thermometer. Stir syrup into softened gelatin, and keep stirring for a few minutes to cool. Whisk on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, 8 to 10 minutes. Whisk in vanilla. Spread mixture into baking sheet using an offset spatula; sprinkle with sanding sugar. Let stand for 1 hour to set.
• Cut out marshmallows using your favorite Easter cookie cutters (wipe cutters clean between each cut), and roll cut sides in sanding sugar to coat.