Peppermint Marshmallow Snowmen Food

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.

SNOWMAN CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with cupcake liners.
• Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups. Bake until done according to the directions.
• Cool the cupcakes on a rack in the tin for 10 minutes, then remove them from the tin. Cool on the rack completely before decorating.
• Meanwhile, combine the butter, sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl if using a handheld electric mixer). Mix on low speed until mostly incorporated. Add the vanilla, increase the speed to medium-high and mix until smooth. Adjust the consistency with milk as desired. Fit a large pastry bag with a 1/3-inch diameter plain round tip or snip the tip of a large resealable plastic bag to make a 1/3-inch diameter hole, and fill the bag with icing. When the cupcakes are cool, hold the bag vertically with the tip pointing down at the center of each cupcake, and pipe a mound of icing onto each cupcake without lifting or moving the bag, so that the icing spreads to the edges, then finally lift the bag to form a mound on top.
• Fit a small pastry bag with a small plain pastry tip, or use a small resealable plastic bag. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave, stirring every 20 seconds, until just melted. Transfer the chocolate to the prepared bag. If using the plastic bag, snip the very tip off so you can pipe the desired size. Pipe two dots for eyes on one flat side of each marshmallow, and a row of five dots for a smile. Pipe a little bit of frosting on top of the marshmallow head to glue the peppermint patty on top. Place a dot of chocolate on top of the patty hat to form a button. Place each decorated marshmallow "head" on the center of each mound of icing. Pipe 3 chocolate dots under the head to form buttons. Pipe two arms coming out of the snowman shoulders.