Toolbox
- Marshmallows
- Melting chocolate
- Crazy straws
- Decorative candies
- Parchment paper
Photos
Fig 1: Supplies
Fig 2: Ready for dipping
Fig 3: Dipping in the chocolate
Fig 4: Drying time
Fig 5: Decorated for 4th of July
While visiting Disney World, we had to try some of the yummy treats they had available. One of our favorites was simply marshmallows coated in chocolate with a candy coating. I made a mental note of this easy but fun treat and decided to make some for Little Jo’s birthday party.
Here are the simple steps and a fun idea for what to use as the holder.
First, I took out my handy-dandy parchment paper and lined my baking sheet. Then, I started melting my chocolate in a tall, skinny mug so that I could dip the marshmallows down into the chocolate. I used one bag of Wilton dark chocolate candy melts to make 12 of the treats (Fig 1).
I used crazy straws that I found at the grocery as the sticks to hold the marshmallows. They are the perfect size to hold two marshmallows, they look really cute and the kids can wash them and use them as straws afterwards or you can wash them and reuse them another time. I just used basic crazy straws but you can find all sorts of themed straws as well.
Once I threaded the two marshmallows on each straw, (I used both regular and chocolate-flavored marshmallows) I placed them on the parchment sheet (Fig 2) and got out my candies. I chose miniature M&M’s and patriotic sprinkles. I made most of them with the M&M’s but wanted to see how they would look with the sprinkles to consider using them for Fourth of July treats. I will definitely do them again for Independence Day treats but will use patriotic colored straws and perhaps even white chocolate as my dipping base.
I dipped each marshmallow covered straw into the chocolate and let the excess drain back into the cup (Fig 3). Then, I placed one side down into the plate of M&M’s and quickly transferred it to the parchment paper. I sprinkled the top side with some additional M&M’s to cover the entire surface. The M&M’s are still quite heavy so you can’t actually roll the covered marshmallows in the M&M’s. For the sprinkled ones, I just held them over the plate of sprinkles and rotated the straw as I sprinkled the decorative sugar candies over the chocolate. This was a bit easier than the M&M’s but doesn’t taste as decadent! (Fig 4)
After drying (Fig 5), I placed them all into an airtight container for shipping. You could also wrap them individually in Saran Wrap tied with ribbon to hand out as well. They were a huge hit with the kids and the adults! I will definitely be making these fun treats for Chica’s upcoming Fourth of July party.
36 comments so far:
This was a very successful, easy dessert for my family reunion. It only took a few minutes and I had two full trays. At the end of the party, there were none left. Kids LOVE them and I saw a few happy adults sneaking them, too!
What a wonderful idea to use crazy straws as the stick!!!!! I saw chocolate covered marshmallows being sold at a Ferry Terminal recently, made by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and 4 dipped and decorated marshmallows were being sold for $5.95 each. I thought the price was crazy but they must sell or they wouldn’t keep making them. I was searching the net for ideas on how to make them when I saw your posting. I want to try and make some to sell at a Christmas craft fair. These crazy straws are a fantastic idea! – thanks!!!
This version is A LOT cheaper! : ) I bet you could find some holiday colored crazy straws on ebay that you could use. You could also dip them in white chocolate and decorate with Christmas themed candies and sprinkles. I was thinking of doing some for Christmas as well. Let me know if you find any neat straws. The thing I like most about the ones I used is that they are very stiff, they don’t bend hardly at all! Thanks for visiting our site!
The straw idea is FABULOUS!! Thanks
These are adorable, I love the crazy straw idea. I have to ask though, did you ever consider dipping the chocolate in graham cracker crumbs? Cause they make absolutely delicious mock-s’mores that way.
You had no way of knowing that s’mores are one of my favorite treats! I will definitely be trying this out this summer!
I absolutely love the idea of the crazy straws. I am having a baby shower in September and I was thinking of giving these out as a favor. Now I am set on these since the adults in my family are big kids. Thank you for posting the instructions and pictures. I’ll be doing a taste test soon even though I am sure I can’t go wrong.
We got those on our recent trip to Disney World, and they were on crazy (mickey head shaped) straws as well. We’re planning on making them as Christmas gifts this year, too. In fact, I found this blog when I was Googling holiday crazy straws!
There are definitely lots of holiday shaped straws available, so if anyone is looking for them, all you have to do is search for ‘crazy straws’.
You can also use candy canes as the stick. This works great at Christmas time.
Angie, candy canes! What a fantastic idea! I can see dipping the marshmallows in white chocolate and sprinkling crushed-up candy cane on top. How cute!
Hi Lillian. The chocolate will harden if you just leave it by itself, but if you want it to go faster, you can put them in the freezer to speed it up.
I was just reading through this project as well as the snowman marshmallow project and I thought I’d share a tip that I use for various “dipping-things-on-sticks” projects that I do. I take a deep container (loaf pan,etc.) and add uncooked rice to fill the container. After dipping the marshmallows, I put the end of the stick into the rice until the chocolate/candy melts have dried. This avoids having one flat side to your treat!
Great tip Kathy. Thanks for sharing!
Those are sweetest looking treats I’ve ever seen! Great job expolaining the how to & so creative. Keep it coming as I love your tips on candies.
Hi, I plan on making these treats in a couple of weeks for my twins birthday party. The thing is I am scheduled for surgery 4 days before their party. I would like to make these treats in advance before my surgery even though it is a same day procedure. I don’t know how I will feel after. Can you please let me know how many days in advance I can make these treats to ensure they maintain fresh and edible? Also if I make them in advance where do I store them to maintain freshness?
These treats are a great idea and I am sure everyone not only kids will enjoy!
Diana, I hope everything goes well with your surgery. I think that the treats should be fine if you store them in an airtight container in a very cool place. Just allow them to dry thoroughly before placing them in a container and put layers of wax paper or parchment paper between each layer. Good luck! I hope everything turns out great!
I’ve been making these for several years at almost every holiday for class treats. We use the different colored candy melts to coat them with and usually dip them in holiday-themed sprinkles, so you can customize them for whatever holiday it happens to be. We just put them on lollipop sticks but we put them in the little clear lollipop/treat bags and tie them closed with colorful curly ribbon. My daughters’ friends ask at every holiday if we’ll be making them to give out…everybody loves them!
Thanks for posting these directions! I’m planning to put the marshmallows into tiny ice cream cones for my 4-year olds birthday.
Great Idea! Is there any substitution to the Wilton Candy Melts, or does this absolutely need to be used for this recipe? Also I am going to try crushed bits of pretzels as I like that salty sugary taste combo.. Thx!
Mary, the Wilton melts are just the easiest to use because they are formulated for this purpose. There are other types of melting chocolates in your grocery aisle. You can also use regular chocolate but add a little bit of paraffin to it to make it harden and form better. Let me know how the pretzels go!
Thx Jo, I will let you know how the Pretzels do, sounds yummy!
You would have an inside-out smore if you rolled the chocolate covered marshmallows in crushed graham crackers! They all sound really good and easy…
Hi,looking for something to make that was quick and easy.never thiught of using the crazy I used craft sticks and left a big hole this was easy and fun. Thank you.
I’m making these for a christmas festival this weekend. I’m using the jumbo marshmallows and rolling them in graham cracker crumbs, crushed candy canes and some with caramel and nuts.
I love those jumbo marshmallows!
I put mine in the fridge and the marshmallow becomes so hard :c How can I change this?
Take them out of the fridge and allow them to come to room temperature and they should be fine. I usually let mine harden at room temperature.
Can I mix the chocolate with something (like sweetened condensed milk)to keep the chocolate a little softer? I do that with caramel then roll the marshmallow in rice krispies or pretzel pieces. I sell them, and a variety of other treats at fairs. The hardened chocolate doesn’t give the gooey, biteable (is that a word?)texture I’m looking for. Thk for the site and the help.
Phil, I have never tried to do that. It sounds good but not sure how it would work in practice. I would be afraid that the chocolate would slowly ooze down the side of the marshmallow. If you try it, please let us know how it works out. The caramel treats sound delicious!
I am making these treats for my son’s party. I would like to wrap them individually in saran wrap the day before the pary. Will they stay fresh if I just leave them out wrapped overnight?
Diana, they should be just fine for one night. Have fun at the party!
I use the lollipop sticks and melt white chocolate & roll in coconut, or white and dark chocolate rolled in chopped up peanuts (my favorite!) , or dip in chocolate and drizzle white chocolate or vice versa. The possibilities are endless! But I did find the a little of all variations is too much. I try to keep it a theme of maybe two different ones but complementary to each other. Less is more!
I found the cutest spiced gingerbread man marshmallows at walmart.I am going to coat them in chocolates and give them as gifts. Thanks everyone. I was worried the hot chocolate might melt the marshmallow as I made them.
I am having a bridal shower and would love to make these early. How long will they last? Should I wrap and freeze them or just keep them in the fridge. I plan to dip them in white chocolate and sprinkles. Will they stay fresh a month in the fridge all wrapped up?
At most, I have made them a couple of days ahead of time. I stored them in an airtight container on my kitchen counter. I am not sure about freezing them or placing them in your refrigerator. Sorry I can’t offer more definitive answers for you!