Jolly Marshmallow Snowmen Food

MARSHMALLOW SNOWMEN

Steps:

• Place 3 regular marshmallows on work surface; spread small amount of melted chocolate between marshmallows to secure. Starting at one end, insert straw through marshmallow stack to secure. Repeat with remaining regular marshmallows to make a total of 12 stacks to resemble 12 snowmen.
• Use toothpick to poke 2 holes into opposite sides of center marshmallow in each snowman; insert pretzels into holes for the arms. Add 2 miniature marshmallows to bottom of each snowman for the feet, securing with small amount of the remaining melted chocolate.
• Cut licorice into small pieces for the hair. Spoon remaining melted chocolate into resealable plastic bag; cut small hole in one bottom corner of bag. Use to decorate snowmen as shown in photo, securing hair and candy corn noses to snowmen with the remaining chocolate.

PEPPERMINT MARSHMALLOW SNOWMEN

Steps:

• Dust an 11-by-15-inch baking dish liberally with confectioners' sugar. Pour 1/2 cup cool water into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and sprinkle the gelatin over.
• Meanwhile, combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat and cook, swirling the pan occasionally without stirring, until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer, 6 to 7 minutes.
• With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the sugar syrup into the gelatin mixture. Once all of the syrup has been added, increase the speed to high and whisk until the mixture is bright white and forms very stiff peaks and the bowl has cooled and is just warm to the touch at the bottom, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the peppermint extract and mix to combine. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan, smooth the top and dust liberally with confectioners' sugar. Let sit overnight before cutting.
• When ready to assemble, combine 1 cup confectioners' sugar and the cornstarch in a small sieve. Liberally dust a work surface with some of the mixture and unmold the marshmallow slab in one piece (you will need to guide it from the pan with an offset spatula and your fingers). Dust both sides of the slab well with the sugar-cornstarch mixture. Using 1-inch, 1 1/4-inch and 1 1/2-inch round cutters dipped in confectioners' sugar, cut 12 marshmallows of each size. Dust the marshmallows all over with the remaining sugar-cornstarch mixture.
• Build the snowmen on the lollipop sticks, starting with the largest diameter marshmallows. Stick a licorice candy on top of each for a hat. With scissors, cut the gummy straws in half lengthwise. Flatten the pieces with a rolling pin to make flat scarves for the snowmen and tie them on. Stick the pretzel pieces into the middle marshmallows for "arms Use the orange candies to make noses.
• Melt the semisweet chocolate in a small bowl in the microwave at 50 percent power in 15 second intervals, stirring after each, 45 seconds to 1 minute. Stir until completely smooth and transfer to a piping bag with a small plain tip. Pipe chocolate eyes, a mouth and buttons onto each snowman.

JOLLY MARSHMALLOW SNOWMEN

Steps:

• Take one cake pop stick and thread on a marshmallow, narrow end on first. Thread on a second marshmallow, wide end on first so the the two wide ends meet in the middle. Thread a third marshmallow on sideways so the narrow round end makes the snowman's face.
• Knead the white fondant icing and divide into 6. Shape each one into a rough mound and stick the snowmen into these bases.
• Take three strawberry laces and twist together. Tie around a snowman's neck and then trim off the excess with scissors. Repeat for the other snowmen.
• Using a little royal icing stick a Pontefract cake on each head. Using a little black writing icing, stick a Liquorice Allsort on top of each Pontefract cake.
• Pipe on two eyes using black writing icing. Using royal icing, stick a Tic Tac on each face for a carrot nose. Stick mini chocolate beans on the bodies as buttons.
• Using royal icing, stick four mini marshmallows on each snowman to represent arms. Stick a candy cane or pretzel stick to the end of one of each of the snowmen's arms, attaching the bottom end to the icing mound.
• Take a little royal icing and thin with a few drops of water. Brush or dab on the base and sprinkle over the crushed sugar cubes. Leave to set.