Beach Themed Party ... Starfish S'More's

So this was not made for the party but it fits in with the theme of the party. I had a special request for a 2 y/o birthday and official adoption.  I got confused on the dates and made them too early for the party date, so the kids had a treat and so did my bestie! ONE thing I learned was the cookie cutter I had didn't make the cleanest star shape. I found this fun recipe for Starfish S'Mores on Hungry Happenings.

Ingredients:

1 cup water, divided

3 packages unflavored gelatin (2 1/2 tablespoons)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

pinch of salt

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/3 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar

1/4 cup corn starch

1-2 teaspoons butter or non-stick cooking spray

50 squares of graham crackers crushed into crumbs

16 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped (or chips)

Special Equipment Needed:

stand mixer or super heavy duty hand held mixer

small saucepan with lid

candy thermometer

9″ x 13″ pan

rubber spatula and/or an offset spatula

star cookie cutter

dipping fork or kitchen fork
parchment paper or wax paper
baking sheet or cutting board
toothpick

First part is you make homemade marshmallows, which isn't hard but not simple. After you make the star cuts you have scraps and not wanting to waste them I cut what I couldn't into squares and rectangles for homemade marshmallows to add to hot cocoa or just to eat. NOW I hate store bought marshmallows, but these are so fluffy and yummy in your mouth!!

Instructions:

Pour 1/2 cup of water into the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle gelatin over top of water and allow to soften for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, pour remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt into a small saucepan.  Stir just to combine ingredients. Cover saucepan, place over medium heat, and cook for 4 minutes.  Remove lid, and clip the candy thermometer onto the side of the pan.  Continue to cook, without stirring, until the mixture reaches 240 degrees Fahrenheit (about 7-8 minutes.)

Place the whisk attachment on your stand mixer. Turn the stand mixer onto low speed. Very carefully and slowly pour the hot sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the softened gelatin. Once all of the sugar syrup is in the bowl, increase  the mixer speed to high. Whip until the marshmallow becomes very thick and cools to a lukewarm temperature, about 12-15 minutes. Add the vanilla and whip just to combine.

While the marshmallow is whipping, prepare your pan.  Butter (or spray with non-stick spray) the bottom and sides of a 9″ x 13″ pan.  Combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch in a bowl.  Sprinkle evenly over the bottom and sides of the pan. Tap pan to remove excess. Save remaining mixture for later.

Butter or spray a rubber spatula and use it to remove the marshmallow from the bowl. Spread the marshmallow evenly in the pan. Use a buttered offset spatula to smooth the surface.

Dust the top of the marshmallow with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Cover bowl of powdered mixture for later use. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncoveredfor at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

Now for the S'mores:

Set a large cutting board on top of the pan of marshmallows.  Turn both the board and pan upside down.  The marshmallow should fall right out of the pan onto the board. If it doesn’t, help it along.  Dust a star shaped cookie cutter with some of the powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture.  Press the cookie cutter into the marshmallow, remove, and press marshmallow out.  Dust cutter again, and continue to cut stars until you can’t cut any more.  As you can see, you will have a lot of marshmallow scraps. Either dust them with more powdered sugar/cornstarch or dip them in any leftover chocolate (be sure to leave some chocolate to attach your candy eyes.)

Pour chopped chocolate into a microwave safe bowl.  Heat on high power for 30 seconds.  Stir. Heat on high power for 20 seconds. Stir vigorously.  Heat on high power for 15 seconds.  Stir vigorously.  If not melted, continue to heat for 10 second increments, stirring after each, until melted.

Pour graham cracker crumbs into a shallow dish.

Place one marshmallow star in the melted chocolate.  Use a fork to press the marshmallow into the chocolate, covering the top and all sides of the star.  Place the fork on the underside of the marshmallow and use it to lift the marshmallow out of the chocolate.  Shake the marshmallow to allow any excess chocolate to fall off.  Flop the marshmallow over into the bowl of graham cracker crumbs.  Remove fork.  Sprinkle and push the crumbs over and up against the marshmallow star.  Completely cover the star with crumbs and allow to dry for 1-2 minutes in the crumbs. Remove from crumbs and set on a parchment paper lined baking sheet or cutting board.

Use a toothpick to dig out small circles of the graham cracker crumbs where the eyes will be on each starfish. Add a dab of chocolate to the holes and place an eye on top.  

Store your marshmallow starfish in an airtight container for up to 1 week.  Package individual starfish in cellophane bags to give as party favors or gifts.

You can throw away the scraps but I like the waste not method and use for other treats!

Enjoy!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.