Starfish S'mores

Hey everyone! Long time, no read! Sunday Treats took a short hiatus this summer to celebrate the nuptials of Becky and the Music Man. And goodness, did we celebrate - don't we look happy?!?!

Photo by Cornelis Verwaal

Now, that doesn't mean we haven't been baking up a storm this summer. For sure, between Mama B, Katie, and Becky, over 800 cookies were baked for said special event above. And, since the wedding, Becky's been giving her new Kitchen Aid mixer and ice cream maker attachments a run for their money. More on that to come...

We've got new apartments and new kitchens to test out, and new recipes to share with you, Devoted Readers! To round out the summer, we thought we'd share a particularly summery-treat we just made for an outing to the beach. Hurry and make some, because (sniff, sniff, tear, tear), the summer is all but over.

These Starfish S'mores probably rank highest of all our treats on the cute-factor scale.

Then again, if you put edible googly eyes on any treat, how could it not look pretty darn cute? But these are tasty, too, and remind one of bonfires on the beach or in one's backyard (or over one's BBQ).

Suddenly I'm attempting to use correct grammar. One is improved by married life, is one not? :-)

If you make 'em and take 'em to the beach, we recommend packing them in a cooler. Regular starfish might enjoy the sun, but these little guys will soon transform into star-blobs without a little shade or ice. Of course, they're still just as tasty, if you don't mind getting your fingers a little sticky.

The recipe below looks complicated, but have no fear. It's really three simple steps - make star-shaped marshmallows, dip in chocolate, dip in graham crackers. If we can do it, you can, too!

So, enjoy, readers. It's good to see you again!

-Becky

Starfish S'mores
Adapted from Hungry Happenings
Makes about 13 s'mores

Ingredients:
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
40 oz. marshmallows
36 graham cracker squares, crushed into crumbs
16 oz. chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
Approximately 1 tbsp coconut oil or vegetable shortening
edible candy eyes

Directions:

1. Pour crushed graham crackers into a shallow dish. I used an 8 x 8 inch baking pan. Set aside. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl.
3. Use butter or non-stick cooking spray to coat the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan, then sprinkle bottom and sides with powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture. Tap the pan to remove excess. Save remaining mixture for later.
4. Pour marshmallows into a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 30 second intervals, stirring each time, until marshmallows are melted to a sticky liquid consistency. If marshmallows start to brown, they are beginning to burn. Carefully pour melted marshmallows into prepared pan and smooth top with spatula. Spraying your spatula with non-stick cooking spray, or buttering it, will keep it from sticking to the marshmallows throughout this process. Dust the top of the marshmallow with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Cover bowl of powdered sugar mixture for later use. Allow the marshmallow to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight. When ready to proceed to next steps, place marshmallow in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
5. Set a large cutting board on top of the pan of marshmallows. Turn both the board and the pan upside down and lightly tap the bottom of the pan. If the marshmallow doesn't fall right out, use a spatula to slowly pry it out of the pan. 
6. Dust a 3-inch star-shaped cookie cutter with the powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture. Press the cookie cutter into the marshmallow, remove, and press the marshmallow out onto one of the parchment-lined cookie sheets. Dust cutter again and repeat, cutting out stars until you can't cut out anymore. There will be a lot of marshmallow scraps. To make them into regular marshmallows, dust all sides with powdered sugar/cornstarch. Or, do whatever you wish with them! Place cookie sheet of marshmallow stars in the freezer.
7. Melt chocolate chips over a double boiler on the stove or in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each interval, until smooth. Let cool to room temperature, then stir in coconut oil or shortening to achieve thin, dip-able consistency.
8. Removing one star at a time from the freezer, use a fork to dip the marshmallow in the melted chocolate, coating all sides. Lift the marshmallow out with the fork, gently shake it from side to side to remove excess chocolate, then scrape the fork along the edge of the bowl to remove any excess from the bottom. Place chocolate-covered marshmallow in graham cracker crumbs. Allow to sit for 30 seconds, then use your fingers to sprinkle and gently toss the marshmallow in the crumbs so all sides are coated. Allow to dry in the crumbs for about a minute. Place graham cracker covered marshmallow on other parchment-lined cookie sheet.
9. Using a toothpick or the point of a sharp knife, make two small circular indentations on the marshmallow in the graham cracker crumbs where the eyes will go. Apply a tiny button of melted chocolate to the backs of the eyes and press into place.
10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 with remaining marshmallows. Place cookie sheet of finished marshmallows in the fridge for 15 minutes to firm up, then transfer to airtight containers. We recommend storing marshmallows in the fridge to prevent melting, but they can also be kept at room temperature. They will be good for up to one week. Use remaining graham cracker crumbs as "sand" on serving platter.