Looking for a fun recipe to have on hand to make with your children? How about something to bring to the next birthday party or playdate? Then you’ve definitely found it with the Dr. Seuss Marshmallow Hats!
These little fun marshmallow desserts are the perfect accompaniment to any social function and they are super cute to boot! Easily made, only three ingredients, and a whole lot of memories to be made when you ask your little ones to join you in the kitchen.
Why Baking with Your Children Creates Valuable Memories
The majority of adults have at least one memory of spending time in the kitchen with one of their loved ones and standing at the counter (with the help of a chair) while wearing an apron that is probably a few sizes too big. It’s the feeling of finally being allowed to dive into batters and mixes to create a masterpiece and the feeling of accomplishment there is to be had when their finished product was on the counter for all to see that warms the hearts of your children.
Baking with your children creates memories and a bond that will last until adulthood. Spending time with your children when they are young not only nurtures them but yourself, allowing them a safe opportunity to be creative and explore their artistic side.
Not only are you creating valuable memories; you are also teaching them responsibility as they navigate the kitchen and all the appliances. You teach them how to see a project through to the end and the best part? They are allowed to be messy and get their hands dirty!
How to Turn Baking into a Lesson About Kitchen Safety for Children
Kitchen safety is a major concern for most parents and there are always rules in place when it comes to being in the kitchen, even with adult supervision. Don’t touch this, stay away from that, etc. would definitely be familiar terms not only to children but us as adults as well.
Use the time you spend with your children in the kitchen while baking their favorite cookies or dessert to teach them about kitchen safety. What to touch, what not to touch, how to use oven mitts when handling hot food, etc. While showing them how to prepare a recipe, you are allowing them the responsibility of handling sharp knives or other objects and you are allowing them the freedom to turn on the stove/oven.
Ensure that you practice common sense and good kitchen safety while teaching your children how to bake because like they say – monkey see, monkey do!
Equipment Needed:
- Parchment Paper
- Small Microwave Safe Bowl
- Oven Mitts
Yield: 6 Jumbo Dr. Seuss Marshmallow Hats or 12 Large Dr. Seuss Marshmallow Hats
Ingredients to make the Dr. Seuss Marshmallow Hats:
- 1 cup of red candy melts (found in the baking section of your local grocery store)
- A bag of large or jumbo marshmallows
- Oreos or chocolate cookie sandwich baking wafers
How to prepare the Dr. Seuss Marshmallow Hats:
Step 1: Melt candy
Using the small microwave safe bowl, melt the red candy melts as per the package instructions. If you bought them loose at a bulk baking supply store – check to see if they have instruction pamphlets or use instructions as per a baking forum. Typically, you would melt these on medium heat for approximately 10 seconds at a time. Remove from the microwave and stir. Repeat the process until the candy melts are fully melted and turned into a liquid without any visible pieces or chunks.
Step 2: Dip Mallows
Dip/press one end of the marshmallow into the melted candy melts. Turn them upside down and place the non-coated end on the parchment paper. Allow them to air dry for approximately 10 – 15 minutes. The parchment paper helps them to dry without sticking to the surface of the counter or cookie sheet. This is the first step to create the “hat” from the popular Dr. Seuss books.
Step 3: Dip Other Ends
Once the first end has been air dried and is completely hardened, dip the opposite side into the melted red candy melts. Only allow the melted red candy melts to come partway up the marshmallow as you want a white strip in the middle (the band of the hat).
Step 4: Add to Oreos
Take the coated end and then press firmly into the chocolate cookie sandwich or Oreo to create a strip and adhere the marshmallow to the cookie sandwich.
Step 5: Dry
Allow the dipped marshmallows to air dry for another 10 – 15 minutes as you want them to harden into place. You can place them in the refrigerator if you choose but remember! This can cause the marshmallows to lose their softness and become hard as well.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Once all the Dr. Seuss Marshmallow hats are dried and adhered to their cookie base; arrange them on a decorative platter. Enjoy!
Notes
- Attempting to dip both sides of the chocolate at the same time worked in theory but it was far messier than allowing the candy coating to dry on one end first. You also run the risk of damaging or breaking the cookie sandwich base.
- Attempting to dip and allowing it to dry on the chocolate cookie then flipping it over to coat the top of the “hat” was also not a great success and can be awkward to maneuver.
- While jumbo marshmallows will fit on the top of the chocolate cookie sandwich base, they run the risk of being misshapen and “squat” together. The large marshmallows will resemble more of a hat.
