Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows - Simple Gift

You know you've found a winning combination when your teenage son says, "Mom, these are awesome!"  These are so easy to make and the payoff is huge!  I first made these for a food and craft show that I was attending.  I made the larger chocolate dipped marshmallows to sell and we had tiny mini marshmallows dipped in chocolate for samplers.  Both were a hit!  

Make these, then either wrap them in individual plastic sacks over the top and secure with curly ribbon or do as we did and place Styrofoam in a container, arrange like a flower arrangement, then surround with plastic wrap and top with a bow.  These make a decadent, unique gift that is destined to be a favorite.  

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows:   

• 1 package candy coating such as Candiquick or Chocolate Bark  
• OR 1 package milk chocolate morsels with 1 tablespoon solid shortening or coconut oil added
• 1 package marshmallows 
• toppings such as candy sprinkles, crushed peppermint/candy canes, colored sugar, crushed nuts, etc. 
• lollipop sticks (I bought Wilton, located in the cake decorating aisle at Walmart)
• microwave safe bowl 
• styrofoam covered with plastic wrap (a must!)

Melt candy coating or morsels and oil in microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring between times.  Place marshmallows on lollipop sticks, then swirl in coating.  Allow to cool for a moment or two, then dunk in toppings.  Stick these in Styrofoam covered with plastic wrap.  This is a must so that these dry right side up.  If you place them coating side down to dry, they do not come out very pretty.  Allow to cool.  Then either secure in individual 2 x 3 inch plastic sacks secured with ribbon or place floral foam into a container and arrange as you would a flower arrangement.  

You can also use white chocolate/almond bark coating or use colored candy melts found in the candy making section of craft stores to make different colored marshmallow coatings.  

My mother and I spent a Saturday making these and arranging them, then delivering them to relatives.  All of them loved the uniqueness and were even more pleasantly surprised that they were so yummy!  The hardest part is not eating all of them yourself! 

Homemade Magic Shell for Ice Cream - 2 Ingredients

Love ice cream, and love the chocolate sauce that hardens and becomes a crackling shell?  You can make it at home easily with just 2 ingredients!  You need coconut oil and Nutella.  That's it!  Nutella is one of my favorite ingredients, and what better way to enjoy it than with ice cream?  

I love the Magic Shell available in at grocery store, but it seems really expensive, especially for as little as you get.  With this recipe, you can make as much or as little as you want and enjoy it any time!  So, without further delay...

HOMEMADE MAGIC SHELL

1 part Nutella*

2 parts coconut oil (the type that is solid, not liquid)

Place ingredients in a microwave safe bowl or cup.  Heat for 30 seconds and stir.  Pour over your favorite ice cream, allow to harden, and enjoy!

I used about 1 tablespoon Nutella and 2 tablespoons coconut oil.  That made 2 servings. 

*Interestingly, you can also use peanut butter or Hershey's chocolate syrup, too!  If you use Hershey's syrup, use slightly less since it is a liquid.

ENJOY!!