Honey

Homemade Mallomars

May 21, 2014
4
4 Ratings
  • Makes approximately 4 dozen
Author Notes

This recipe has a number of steps and may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite simple as far as homemade marshmallows and melted chocolate go. Don’t have a candy thermometer? No problem. This marshmallow recipe (which is barely adapted from Alton Brown: http://www.foodnetwork...) sets up nicely without having to worry about heating sugar to exactly the right temperature. I also don’t bother with tempering the chocolate, as the excess powdered sugar on the marshmallows can make the chocolate coating look less than perfect anyhow. These aren’t round like the store-bought versions, but you can probably imagine how annoying it is to pipe cooling marshmallow fluff onto little cookies, right? No thank you. Square is where it’s at. Their shape may be a bit wonky, but it’s a charming, imperfect wonkiness. And they’re just as delicious. (Method and graham cracker recipe adapted from Unforgettable Desserts via Leite's Culinaria: http://leitesculinaria.com/25591/recipes-mallowmores.html) —Carey Nershi

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Marshmallows
  • 3 packets unflavored gelatin
  • 1 cup cold water, divided in half
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown rice syrup or light corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup confectioners sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • Graham Crackers + Assembly
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup graham or whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 pinch cloves
  • 8 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 24 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
Directions
  1. Marshmallows
  2. Combine the gelatin and half the water in the bowl of a stand mixer.
  3. In a small, heavy bottom saucepan combine the granulated sugar, syrup, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup of water. Cover and let cook over medium high heat for around 4 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook for another 6 to 7minutes, or until the mixture begins to vigorously bubble and rise in the pan. (If you have a candy thermometer, clip it to the side when you uncover the pan and cook the mixture to 240° F.) Immediately remove from heat.
  4. Attach the whisk attachment to your mixer and turn on low speed. Slowly pour the hot sugar syrup down the side of the mixing bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you’ve added all the syrup, increase the speed to high and whip until the mixture is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. (If you haven’t cooked the sugar to exactly 240° F this may take a few minutes longer. You can tell that it’s cool enough of the fluff doesn’t easily slip away from the whisk when the mixer head is lifted.) Add the vanilla extract in the last minute of whipping.
  5. While the mixture is whipping, combine the confectioners sugar and cornstarch in a bowl. Lightly grease a 9- x 13-inch baking pan, add the sugar-cornstarch mixture to the pan, and shake it all around to coat the pan, then return the excess to the bowl.
  6. When the marshmallow mixture is ready, pour it into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula to smooth it out. Dust the top with some of the remaining sugar-cornstarch mixture and let to marshmallows sit uncovered for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
  7. Once set, cut the marshmallows into 1 1/2-inch squares. (If you won’t be using them right away, toss them in the remaining sugar-cornstarch mixture and store them in an airtight container.)
  1. Graham Crackers + Assembly
  2. Whisk together the flours, baking soda, salt, and spices.
  3. Cream together butter, sugar, and honey, then beat in vanilla. Alternate beating in milk and flour mixture until everything is combined.
  4. Line two baking sheets with parchment or silpats. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick, then cut into 1 1/2-inch squares. Transfer squares to the baking sheet, leaving and inch of space between each. Poke several holes in each one to keep them from puffing up too much during baking. Place the crackers in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes.
  5. Once the crackers are chilled, preheat the oven to 350° F. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the crackers are mostly bake, but still a tiny bit soft (they will firm up as they cool).
  6. Remove the pans from the oven and set on cooling racks. Immediately place a marshmallow on top of each cracker. (The heat from the crackers will melt the marshmallow slightly and bind the two together.) Let cool completely.
  7. Melt chocolate in a double boiler until smooth. One by one, dip each marshmallow-topped cracker in the chocolate, making sure to coat all sides. Use a fork to remove the mallomar, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off, and place cracker side-down on a piece of wax paper. Let cool until chocolate has set.
  8. Store mallomars at room temperature for 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 1 week.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Carey Nershi
    Carey Nershi
  • Debbie
    Debbie
  • Janet Paula Lieber
    Janet Paula Lieber
  • cgmeyerphx
    cgmeyerphx
Lover of simple food and cocktails served with a single giant ice cube. Raised in the NY Schoharie Valley; currently residing in Burlington, VT. Blogger at reclaimingprovincial.com.

8 Reviews

Debbie June 6, 2014
ok WOW- let me say first off- these are labor intensive- and I would also like to point out my mixer broke the day I made these so I whisked the marshmellow by hand ( I will except condolences at any time thank you) lol but seriously- these are ah-may-zing. They're delicious. But ugly lol. Which really says something about the skill of the author of this recipe because hers came out lovely- clearly she knows what she's talking about and doing. You should listen to her, and do what she does- it leads to good things. Mine are crooked, uneven, globby messes of marshmellow, chocolate, and cracker (which I am making more of just the cracker today because everyone loved them.) but man oman are they yummy. I don't even care what they look like because they're gone before I have the time to dwell. Just the best home made goody I've made. They taste better than the store- and I mean that....not just saying it because it took me all day to make them. You should make them too. If you like delicious kinds of things :). awesome.
 
cgmeyerphx June 29, 2014
my condolences to your overworked hand, arm & shoulder muscles; must have great arms after that episode. after reading your review i'm looking forward to making these. the first attempt is usually not as pretty as those of the cook/author. practice makes perfect. even unattractive foods can taste fantastic despite the presentation.
 
Debbie June 29, 2014
haha Thank you!! My arm has recovered :) I know people say you eat with your eyes first....but I just closed them and let my mouth take over. The crackers were especially good :D I hope it goes easier for you!!!
 
Carey N. July 31, 2014
Wow, whipping marshmallows by hand...I can't even imagine.... You're a trooper, Debbie!! I'm so glad you enjoyed them, even if they were a little messy. It's the sign of a true homemade treat! :)
 
Debbie July 31, 2014
Do you have any tips on how to thin the chocolate a bit without taking away it's ability to harden?? Do you think milk chocolate would be to sweet? Thanks for the awesome recipe- and thanks for commenting and reminding me it's time to make these again lol I got a new mixer though, so this time it will go quicker!!! :)
 
Janet P. June 5, 2014
Can I use the Marshmallow part alone and coat them with the chocolate, and/or coconut, crushed nuts. Or, if I don't have the time, can I use plain tea crackers that are heated slightly in the oven and then proceed with the recipe.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
 
Vivian S. June 26, 2014
I would like to know that answer, also. This sounds so intriguing I just may set aside a day and make them. my email [email protected]
 
Carey N. July 31, 2014
Hi Janet, sorry for not replying sooner! (It seems I'm no longer receiving email notifications for comments on recipes.) Anyway, if you're still wondering, both of those modifications should work out just fine. If you'd like to coat the marshmallows in just coconut and/or crushed nuts, avoid coating them in too much of the sugar/cornstarch mixture beforehand if possible (the stickier they are, the better).