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Soft and squidgy, marshmallows are the sweetest of treats. You can eat them cold, of course, but they're even better melted, so they can transform a whole range of desserts, nestled between the graham crackers in classic s'mores or melted in cereal bars, fruity mousse, or fudge. If you don't happen to have handy access to a campfire to toast them in the traditional way, though, that's okay, you can melt marshmallows on your stove, too. The glossy result is perfect for when you want to make your own fondant to cover cakes or make candy, or a marshmallow creme to add to other dessert recipes.
But melting marshmallows on the stove can be daunting for many home cooks as they sometimes don't know how to stop them from cooking too fast. The high sugar content means they caramelize fast, and it's all too easy to end up with a sticky mess, not to mention feeling like you've ruined your cookware in the process. If the marshmallows start to burn, you'll end up with caramel — which, delicious as it may be, isn't necessarily the result you're looking for.
Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks that will have you whipping up smooth melted marshmallows on the stove in no time. The secret is to use small marshmallows, a large pot, a little water, and to keep on stirring.
Go low and slow for smooth melted marshmallows
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To start, make sure you use a larger cooking pot than you think you'll need when melting marshmallows, as they'll expand as they get warmer. Spraying the pot with cooking oil before you start will help to ensure that the marshmallows don't stick while using mini marshmallows helps them to melt faster and more evenly. Add your mini marshmallows to the oiled pot, turn the hob to low or low-medium, and start stirring.
Adding a little waterhelps the melting process, too. You'll need about three or four tablespoons of water for 16 ounces to 20 ounces of marshmallows. Keep stirring continuously, and make sure you don't burn the marshmallows. After about five to eight minutes, depending on the size of the pot, you will see the marshmallows melt and become smooth.
If you're still nervous about melting marshmallows in a pot directly on the stove, a double boiler can help. You can make one by putting a large metal bowl that contains the marshmallows over a pot that has lightly boiling water, making sure the water doesn't touch the bowl. Or avoid the stove altogether and try the microwave. You'll just need to put the marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl with a couple of tablespoons of water and heat it for 10-second intervals, making sure you stir it each time so that the marshmallows melt evenly. Whichever method you choose when deciding how to melt marshmallows, just keep on stirring for silky-sweet results.
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