Melting marshmallows over open flame

[cointreau]

Some nine-year-olds I know have been reading about American children burning marshmallows over camp fires, and now they are burning some over a candle using kebab sticks to hold them. However, the marshmallows aren't really melting and are just going rubbery and then burning. Are the American marshmallows different, or do they need a fondue, or some other secret? Any advice would be gratefully received...thanks

[ermintrude35]

..we used to do this back in the Brownies in the 70s ...a flame wont work you need glowing embers such as on an open fire or a bbq.....

[cointreau]

thanks ermintrude, that makes sense and we will look forward to trying that next time (not enough time today as it is first day back at School tomorrow). The kids say thank you too, they really love the smell of marshmallows as well as the taste...C

[Clanad]

You'll find there's a quick moment between getting the mallow golden brown and it bursting into a beautiful, sugar-induced blue flame. When that happens, one quickly blows the flame out and carefully eats the blackened marshmallow. It has a unique smell and taste one will remember years later. Carfeull! You can burn your mouth. We also enjoy S'mores... just take what we here in the U.S. call a Graham Cracker,(like this: http://www.bowman.k12.nd.us/Naico/picturesonwe bsite/graham%20crackers.jpg ) place on it about one fourth of a Hershey's Chocolate bar, and plunk the still sizizling marshmallow (camping out, we use willow branches to toast them with) on it... cover with yet another Graham Cracker. The heated mallow slightly melts the Hershey bar and makes a ooey-gooey treat all kids love (some of us adults, too)...

[cointreau]

Thank you...we didn't realise there is such an art to it, and we are ashamed at our candle-burning efforts. We can get Graham crackers and Hersheys around here in the UK so will try that next time. Best wishes, C

[heathfield]

I wouldn't recommend using candles - the marshmallows could end up covered in soot from the flame. Ermintrude's suggestion is best.

[Cockney_si]

I've had these cooked over a bonfire as the heat needs to be pretty intense...They are yum !

[chinois]

The main point would be that camp fires are infinately hotter than candles!

[BBWCHATT]

But the marshmellows and S'Mores are the desserts - before you have those you have to put some Oscar Mayer weiners on a stick and roast them - I like mine to get almost black.:)


BBWCHATT
The old lady in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

[pastafreak]

oooo-this is taking me back to my childhood!...yummy!!! But one question cointreau-where do you get graham crackers here in the UK?

[BBWCHATT]

If you can't find graham crackers - use any thin, not too soft and not really hard - not toooooo sweet cookie (biscuit) to replace them. If the cookie was a graham cookie it would be better - but any plain cookie would work to some extent.


BBWCHATT
The old lady in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

[bubbleblue]

a think we used to do at scouts was toast the marshmallows over the camp fire and then put it between two chocolate digestive's - really nice - very sweet but kids love it.

[cointreau]

Thank you for all the replies, the kids have enjoyed reading all about the camp fire food and are really looking forward to the bonfire season now - we are sure to have a few outdoor get-togethers now autumn, Halloween and Guy Fawkes are on the way. (Even if we can't get the Oscar Mayer weiners and I'm afraid I don't know what Smores are, pardon my ignorance!)

pastafreak, I'm sorry but I think I am mistaken about the Graham crackers being available in the UK. Maybe I was thinking back to when I lived in North London and there were some independent delis that sold some (or in Selfridge's Food Hall, maybe), or maybe I was mistaking them for Golden Grahams cereals which can be easily bought in the supermarkets where I live now (SW London). Apologies for my mistake. I did find a recipe for homemade crackers on http://ayearatoakcottage.blogspot.com/search/l abel/Indoor
but I am not a good baker so I would prefer to buy an alternative such as the choc digestives ...thanks everyone for the suggestions. Bubbleblue, I can only manage a few mouthfuls of really sweet things too but as you say, the kids love them and everyone's help is much appreciated.

BBWCHATT, thanks and I hope you are well - just as an aside, I was wondering if you remembered that you helped me out with an address for the Mayor of Hollywood, as my daughter wanted to send a general fan letter and appeal for info about Hollywood. Well I sent off her appeal and her idea for a banner, but unfortunately I didn't get a reply, so I presume they were too busy or somehow it got lost in the post. I have been trying to think of someone else who might be kind enough to send a response, as she really would love a a fan-type reply from America (we've only sent a letter to Santa in Finland before, enclosing a reply coupon, and I didn't get an joy then either :(
Any ideas would b

[BBWCHATT]

Cointreau - I do remember helping you and your daughter. I would be happy to send whatever you want me to send - just email it to me so I can print it out and address the envelope - please include the address because I didn't keep it. [email protected] is my email address.


Smores is what Clanad gave you the recipe for in his post. If you read my earlier post, I gave you a list of what you can use instead of graham crackers.

If you can't find Oscar Mayer weiners - just your favorite weiner / quick cooking sausage - just put it on the stick lengthwise so it won't fall off in the fire!

Good luck with your campfire cooking!!!

BBWCHATT
The old lady in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

[cointreau]

Thank you very much BBWCHATT, it is so nice of you to offer to do that for the kids, I would have to repay you of course and they would love to get something from the USA (my late stepdad came from the USA but the connection has drifted over the years I'm afraid).

Yes, now I have read Clanad's post and your own more carefully, I get the idea better...I should have taken more time to read them but the kids have been reading the posts as the same time as me, and are so pleased to get an answer that it is quite difficult to concentrate! (I actually don't mind the noise of kids, in fact I like it).

My daughter hasn't seen the post I made about the mail from the US, though, as I didn't mention that I didn't get a reply from the Mayor (to be tactful). You maybe think my Q's about the campfires are naive but I was brought up in suburban East Midlands UK and even marshmallows themselves weren't particularly easy to find...we mostly had trad English sweets and the marshmallows from the corner shop were always stale! (awww....) Thanks again, C. Hope all is well with you and Chattanooga!

[BBWCHATT]

Cointreau - here are some pictures of smores - the first one is pretty close - except you usually just use one toasted marshmellow and squish it between the graham crackers on top of the chocolate :)

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=smores &btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2

[cointreau]

thanks...that brings a whole meaning to the word 'marshmallow' !