Treat Grads to Jumbo Marshmallow Graduation Caps

Graduation caps aren't very flattering or fashionable, but they are the perfect inspiration for easy marshmallow candy. Simply dip marshmallows in chocolate, top with a chocolate square, and add the finishing touches. This recipe works for standard and jumbo marshmallows, but standard marshmallows tend to have severe irregularities--especially after being crammed on a store shelf.

It isn't a problem unless you want to arrange the candy side-by-side on a tray. Here's a recipe with details for making small candy caps.

Jumbo marshmallows are perfect for making larger caps. They tend to hold their shape better and make an impressive presentation.

Jumbo Graduation Candy Pops Recipe
Yield: 6 Extra-Large Pops

Ingredients and Special Materials:
14 ounces chocolate candy coating, divided use
6 giant marshmallows
6 candy tassels
6 round candy such as Reese’s Pieces or M&M’S
6 six-inch lollipop sticks
wax or parchment paper
toothpick

Melt 8 ounces chocolate candy coating according to the label instructions. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Spread the candy coating into a thin, even layer about 1/8-inch thick. Set aside.

Stick a lollipop stick in the center of each marshmallow.

Melt the remaining candy coating. Stir it well and dip each marshmallow one at a time. Allow excess coating to drip off and transfer pops to wax paper to set.

Use a warm, dry knife to cut the candy sheet into 2.5-inch squares. Dab the tops of the marshmallows with melted chocolate and attach the squares.

Use a toothpick to make a thin line of melted chocolate on top of the cap. Stick the tassel in place and hold for a few seconds. If necessary, carefully trim the candy tassel after the chocolate sets.

Apply a small dot of chocolate to the center of the cap and top with a round candy.
 

Tassel Tips
There are several options for making the decorative tassels, but stiff icing and store-bought candy were the easiest materials to use. For the icing tassel, add icing to a sturdy plastic bag and make a tiny snip in the corner. Begin at the center of the mortar board and pipe a straight line. Allow it to drape over the side and loop back to the starting point. Feel free to add more swags, but be careful not to use too much icing or it will slide off the graduation cap. If that happens, use a toothpick to remove the remaining icing and start over.

Store-bought candy delivers consistent results, but has a strong flavor. Fruit leather, Fruit Roll-Ups, Fruit by the Foot, and Airheads Xtremes belts are easy to use. If using wide candy, cut it into strips about ¾-inch wide and 2.5 inches long. Use a small knife to cut two slits to make it look fringed.

For the Airheads Xtremes belts, separate the rainbow layers into strips about ¼-inch wide. Cut one-third off the strip to create two pieces. Fold the longer pieces around the small strip to make a tassel with three pieces.

Shopping Guide
Use Campfire Giant Roasters or Jumbo Jet-Puffed marshmallows. They are especially easy to find during summer and available at stores such Walmart and Kroger.

Sunny Side Up: Fried Egg Candy

Fried egg candy is a great option for beginners. It is easy to prepare and uses only three ingredients. Simply melt white candy coating and spoon it over small pretzel twists. Add a yellow M&M or Reese's Pieces candy to each one before the coating hardens. Let the candy set at room temperature for about 10 minutes, and it is ready to serve. 

For more detailed instructions and additional photos of the process, read the complete recipe here.  

Giant Roasters Marshmallows

Despite the 100 degree-plus temps, summer is marshmallow season and Campfire Giant Roasters Marshmallows are currently available in stores. The giant marshmallows are 2x2 inches and each weigh one ounce. They are big enough to make mega s'mores using two full squares of graham crackers.

Food Crafts
The giant marshmallows are good for making hot cocoa dippers and marshmallow lollipops. It is easy to decorate marshmallows to suit any holiday, but the cylindrical shape is perfect for making Frankenstein candies for Halloween.

Where to Buy Giant Roasters
Giant marshmallows tend to fill the seasonal sections in the summertime and disappear. The Christmas Tree Shops on Dallas Parkway currently has them and Big Lots had them last summer.

The Campfire store locator does not indicate where to find specific products, but lists Walmart, Alco, Commissaries and HE Butt, whatever that is, as carrying its products.

The Christmas Tree Shops
13900 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, Texas 75240

Licorice: Black or Red?

The makers of Red Vines licorice are currently hosting a Licorice Personality Survey. They will share the results on April 12, which also happens to be National Licorice Day.


The Red Vines Facebook page will have a sweepstakes from April 1 through April 12. The prizes include candy and movie tickets. 

Five Minute Fudge Recipe

This quick fudge recipe is unbelievably easy and there is no need to worry about sugar crystals ruining your fudge. Butter, chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk come together to create a smooth, creamy texture. This recipe is virtually fool-proof, but you may need to adjust the cooking times to suit your microwave.


Easy microwave Fudge Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips (That's one 18-ounce bag.)
• 1-14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Directions:
Butter an eight-inch square pan and set aside.

Place semisweet chocolate chips in a large microwave-safe bowl.

Add a can of sweetened condensed milk.

Cut four tablespoons of butter into small pieces and add to mixture. Stir.

Microwave for 90 seconds at 50% power. Quickly stir to combine and microwave for another 90 seconds at 50% power.

Stir and microwave one minute at 50% power.

Working quickly, use a rubber spatula to transfer the fudge to the buttered dish.

Cover and refrigerate until set, about two hours. Cut into squares. Store in refrigerator.

Cheap Wedding Gown and Tuxedo Favor Boxes at Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree is a fun store where everything costs a dollar. They have the standard cheapo dollar store fare as well as lots of cute seasonal finds. For instance, they recently added luau party supplies.


Dollar Tree has affordable favor and truffle boxes. These adorable wedding gown and tuxedo favor boxes come ten to a package. 

Bridal Gown Wedding Favor Boxes
These inexpensive wedding favor boxes feature bridal gown details on the front and back. A white ribbon secures the box with a stylish finishing touch. Assembly is simple, but tying the ribbon sashes can be cumbersome if making many wedding favors. Save time by wrapping the sash around the dress and securing it with a knot on the back.

The favor box is mostly decorative with a small area for holding wedding favors. The box portion is not sturdy enough to hold loose candies, such as Jordan almonds, but larger favors, such as individually wrapped truffles or a votive candle, fit securely.