Handmade Gift Idea #3: Marshmallows & Bark
By Megan Goodacre
Okay, marshmallows and bark sounds like a weird combination, but bear with me.
Another post in my gift idea series. As the December countdown continues (I don't want to freak you out, but it's the 5th already) we need ideas for quick handmade gifts that kids can make or help with, for giving to teachers, coaches, etc.
Chocolate bark
Everyone loves it, and kids can make it.
Melt chocolate.
Put candy canes in zip top bag. Bash with rolling pin. Add broken pieces of candy cane to chocolate.
Spread on some parchment paper on a baking tray.
Allow to set.
Break into pieces.
Marshmallows
Impress your colleagues and amaze your friends with these sweet pillowy treats. This definitely requires adult supervision but kids can do the majority of the work, and the results always impress. And homemade marshmallows are fat free, gluten free, nut free. Little C and I have made these together twice. Very easy, very messy to make, but the results look and taste great without any candy-making expertise.
I won't do the recipe here, but you'll need gelatin, white corn syrup, sugar, cornstarch, icing sugar, vanilla, a candy thermometer, and a standing mixer. Recipes for marshmallows? Try Alton Brown's (from Good Eats) or Martha Stewart's Candy Cane Marshmallows (good ol' Martha). And of course, the Joy of Cooking.
Looking for more baking ideas? I usually pin while hungry, so of course, I have boards called Baking, Pie and Cake.
Another post in my gift idea series. As the December countdown continues (I don't want to freak you out, but it's the 5th already) we need ideas for quick handmade gifts that kids can make or help with, for giving to teachers, coaches, etc.
Chocolate barkEveryone loves it, and kids can make it.
Melt chocolate.
Put candy canes in zip top bag. Bash with rolling pin. Add broken pieces of candy cane to chocolate.
Spread on some parchment paper on a baking tray.
Allow to set.
Break into pieces.
MarshmallowsImpress your colleagues and amaze your friends with these sweet pillowy treats. This definitely requires adult supervision but kids can do the majority of the work, and the results always impress. And homemade marshmallows are fat free, gluten free, nut free. Little C and I have made these together twice. Very easy, very messy to make, but the results look and taste great without any candy-making expertise.
I won't do the recipe here, but you'll need gelatin, white corn syrup, sugar, cornstarch, icing sugar, vanilla, a candy thermometer, and a standing mixer. Recipes for marshmallows? Try Alton Brown's (from Good Eats) or Martha Stewart's Candy Cane Marshmallows (good ol' Martha). And of course, the Joy of Cooking.
Looking for more baking ideas? I usually pin while hungry, so of course, I have boards called Baking, Pie and Cake.