Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallow Sandwiches Recipes

Steps:

• Break rounded portion off top of each candy cane, leaving a straight peppermint stick. Reserve sticks for later use. Place tops in resealable plastic bag; pound with meat pounder or rolling pin until coarsely crushed.
• Cover baking sheet with parchment. Melt chocolate as directed on package. Dip marshmallows, one at a time, 3/4 the way into chocolate; sprinkle immediately with crushed candy. Place on prepared baking sheet.
• Refrigerate 30 min. or until chocolate is firm.
• Insert 1 of the reserved peppermint sticks into center of each marshmallow just before serving.

Steps:

• Lightly spray a 13x9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Sift the powdered sugar and completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining sugar to the bowl for later use. Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the water. In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240°F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat. Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vanilla and peppermint extract during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans as follows. When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled (or baking spray) off-set (or regular) spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. If adding the red food color, add some random drops and then swirl with a toothpick. Dust the top with enough of the remaining powdered sugar to lightly cover. (Reserve the rest for later.) Cover the pan with foil and shake up, down and sideways. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight. To cut the marshmallows, I had great success with a very sharp knife, sprayed with non-stick spray. Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board, lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Cut into 1-inch squares using sharp knife, or pizza wheel dusted with confectioners' sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. TIP: I cut strips of marshmallow, the placed them back into the baking pan, dusted with extra powdered sugar. I then gently pressed sugar on all of the freshly cut sides, so that they wouldn't be sticky. That technique worked great! Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. I bagged a few marshmallows in a clear cellophane bag (ordered on Etsy.com) and tied them with ribbon. They are perfect for hot chocolate. TO COAT IN CHOCOLATE: Cut the chocolate into small chunks and place in a glass bowl, over a pot of simmering water. Do not let the bowl touch the water! Once melted, stir to smooth. Have a baking sheet, covered with wax paper on standby. If using cake pop sticks, dip the stick into the chocolate at about 1/4-inch deep. Carefully plunge the stick into the marshmallow. Dip the bottom of the marshmallow to coat the bottom and slightly up the side. Set on the wax paper. Allow the dipped marshmallows to set for at least at hour. I placed 2 to 3 marshmallows in tall cellophane bags and tied them with a ribbon.

Steps:

• Cookies:.
• Heat oven to 325 and place rack in center. Line one baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; set aside. In a medium saucepan, melt together chocolate and butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let stand until cool, about 20 minutes. Stir in sugar and extract until combined well. Stir in eggs until combined well. Add flour mixture and stir until a soft dough forms.
• Roll cookies into 3-4-inch balls. Dip tops in nonpareils and place, coated side up, 1-inch apart on prepared sheet. Bake until set but not firm to the touch, 10-13 minutes. Using a metal spatula, transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, prepare Peppermint Marshmallow. Transfer half to a large decorating bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip or coupler. Pipe mounds, about 1/2-inch high, on flat side of half of the cookies. Top with remaining cookies, making sandwiches.
• Peppermint Marshmallow:.
• In a large mixer bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let stand until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1/4 cup water. Stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Using a pastry brush dipped in water, brush down sugar crystals on sides of pan. Place a candy thermometer into mixture. Boil (do not stir) until syrup registers 238 (soft ball stage), about 10 minutes. Pour into gelatin.
• Using the whisk attachment, beat gelatin mixture on medium-low speed until slightly cooled, about 5 minutes. Increase speed to medium-high and beat to soft peaks, about 12 minutes. Stir in candy until combined. Tint with food coloring (if using). Use immediately.