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Birthday marshmallow pops

January 14, 2013 by Katie Bryson

Birthday marshmallow pops collage

Children’s birthday parties are fun to plan, but often result in panic-stricken midnight baking sessions trying to translate your vision of the perfect cake into reality. It all looked so blinking easy on that website…

Last year I wasted a lot of time and stress trying to make 35 Death Star cake pops for Sam’s 6th birthday party, so i’d thoroughly learnt my lesson this time around. I’d had far more success with the cute little reindeer marshmallow pops I made for Parentdish, so I thought I’d make a jolly birthday version for the boys’ party bags.

And instead of attempting a birthday cake that had to look like a character from Star Wars, I opted for my classic chocolate fudge cake studded with brightly coloured chocolate M&Ms (Smarties are a bit of a washout these days). Sam was delighted and my blood pressure remained low.

It’s only taken me 7 years to figure out this whole birthday party business, and I’m chuffed to bits with how it went at the weekend. A handful of local friends, home made pizza, Gangnam Style musical statues, cake and then a hop onto the tube to the Science Museum IMAX to see a 3D film about underwater dinosaurs. A lot less stressful than a 30 strong band of kids to feed and entertain at an expensive venue. I actually enjoyed Sam’s party this year, previously i’ve not had the chance to take any of it in.

The marshmallow pops weren’t without their stresses mind you – I started out with this cool neon coloured sugar sprinkles from Dr Oetker. However I made the mistake of just coating the top half of the marshmallows and the weight of the chocolate and sprinkles forced the marshmallows down the sticks as they were setting. Not a good look.

Luckily all I needed to do was buy another packet of 65 pence marshmallows rather than knocking up a fresh batch of fiddly fangled cake pops. I’m telling you, life really is too short for cake pop production.

And this time, I went for a thin but full coating of melted chocolate, and let as much of the coating run off as possible before letting them set. Bingo.

marshmallow pops for party bags

Birthday marshmallow pops
makes 18

18 marshmallows
200g cooking chocolate
sprinkles

Equipment
18 lollipop sticks
florist’s oasis
cake pop bags
ribbon

1. Break the chocolate into chunks, pop into a microwavable bowl then heat on full power for one minute. Stir and blast for a further 10-20 seconds. Stir and repeat for 10-20 seconds until fully melted.

2. Push a stick into each marshmallow, being careful not to push it all the way in, but firmly enough so that they stay put. Push them all into a block of oasis covered with foil.

3. Take each marshmallow and swirl in the melted chocolate until completely coated. Swirl above the surface to let the excess chocolate run off. If necessary gently tap the stick on the side of the bowl to get the last few drops.

4. Arrange your sprinkles on the top and then place the marshmallow pop back into the oasis. Repeat until all your pops are coated and decorated and then put the block of pops into the fridge to set.

5. Once completely set cover with cellophane bags secured with ribbon.

Tip

I’ve fallen in love with Tesco Finest cooking chocolate… melts beautifully, coats the marshmallows really well and tastes excellent. I’m not normally a fan of anything Tesco, but this product is definitely an exception.

Sprinkles wise, the bolder the colour the better. I used Dr Oetker chocolate beans – which are like mini smarties but brighter. Their neon sugar is also fun.

Filed Under: 1 Featured Recipes, Party, Sweet Recipes Tagged With: baking, birthday party, cake, home baking, party bags

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Comments

  1. Shelley says

    January 14, 2013 at 8:07 pm

    Fab, fab, fab this is my kind of cooking – quick and easy 🙂 Thanks heaps for sharing

    • Katie Bryson says

      January 14, 2013 at 8:14 pm

      you’re welcome Shelley – quick and easy is definitely the way to go!

  2. Virginia says

    January 14, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    I’m with you on the tescos chocolate. I used their finest milk cooking chocolate for making chocolate dipping sticks at Christmas. Had so many people say how yummy they were. It has a galaxy chocolate taste. Will defo have to try these. I only made cake pops once and decided not to again.

  3. Tara says

    January 14, 2013 at 10:28 pm

    It all looks so delicious! Youve pushed the trad smartie cake to the next level!! Do you have a good cake recipe to recommend. I’m going into annual production with kids’ parties this weekend and next! Eek!

    • Katie Bryson says

      January 15, 2013 at 8:18 am

      Ah the joy of January birthdays eh Tara! The easy chocolate fudge cake recipe I’ve linked to above is very reliable and I make it again and again as it’s so quick but tastes lush 🙂

  4. Emma says

    January 15, 2013 at 7:22 pm

    Wow, I’ve just discovered your blog. It’s amazing and full of great ideas. I am going to try these marshmallow pops at home. Please check out the food blog I have just started http://www.surreyKitchen.wordpress.com. Thanks!

    • Katie Bryson says

      January 15, 2013 at 7:30 pm

      Thanks Emma – lovely to have a new visitor aboard 🙂 your blog has some great recipes on… Like the look of the mincemeat cake – I’m sure that’s knock-out with a cuppa of a January afternoon!

  5. Mums make lists (@mumsmakelists) says

    January 24, 2013 at 11:44 pm

    Loving the marshmallow pops – look yumscious!

    • Katie Bryson says

      January 25, 2013 at 7:35 am

      Thanks! They are very tasty and not too sickly being quite small 🙂

Trackbacks

  1. Zombie birthday cake idea says:
    May 13, 2013 at 8:01 am

    […] ditched plastic-filled party bags in favour of a book, a marshmallow pop and a slice of cake for each of the […]

  2. How to…cook for your family says:
    June 15, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    […] Marshmallow pops are simple and fun to make, and perfect for party favours. I make them for my local cafe and the boys love helping melt the chocolate and scattering the sprinkles.  […]

About Katie

I’m Katie Bryson – Freelance Food Writer, wife of a strapping vegetarian and mum of two boisterous boys – keeping them all fuelled and trying to stay sane is a daily challenge so I thought I’d share my experiences. Read More...

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This is a giant @reesesuk birthday cake for my gia This is a giant @reesesuk birthday cake for my giant 15 year old son Arlo… pretty bloody pleased with myself!!!! Many thanks to @thebakingexplorer for a fabulous recipe… 🎂🥳🎉🎁🎈🎊 Now it’s time to celebrate!!!!!!
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Feta-stuffed peppers with colourful couscous from Feta-stuffed peppers with colourful couscous from the latest @slimmingworld magazine…. Smells amazing!!!! #slimmingworlduk #slimmingworldfood
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