Decorated marshmallows are ridiculously easy to make and infinitely versatile. Use them to adorn gifts, as favors, or as a sweet party treat. They are kid-friendly, allergy friendly, and budget-friendly. They may just be the perfect edible craft.

How to make Christmastime marshmallow treats:

You will need:*

·         Marshmallows

·         Gourmet writers

·         Skewers or lollipop sticks (optional)

·         Cellophane bags and ribbon (optional)

            *Marshmallows are available at any supermarket. You can find edible pens at most craft   stores, though I prefer Americolor brand gourmet writers, available at specialty stores.   Visit the web site at www.americolorcorp.com for tips on where to buy. Skewers,  lollipop sticks, bags and ribbon are available at most craft stores.

What to do:

            Insert a skewer into a marshmallow, and then simply draw your designs with the gourmet writers as you would with a marker. I made stripes and dots, candy canes and trees. Let the marshmallows dry before wrapping. To wrap, place cellophane bag over the marshmallow and tie with ribbon at the base of the marshmallow.

TIPS:

·         Let marshmallows sit uncovered at room temperature for a couple hours so the surface stiffens.

·         Skewers are relatively sharp, so if the marshmallows are for young children, skewer the marshmallow to make a hole and insert a lollipop stick.

Ideas for using your Christmastime marshmallow treats:

·         Omit the sticks and fill a glass candy jar with decorated marshmallows

·         Package marshmallows with a cute mug and hot cocoa for gifts

·         Arrange marshmallows in a vase and add to your holiday dessert buffet

·         Wrap as favors in cellophane bags for guests at your holiday party

·         Attach to the ribbon on a Christmas gift 

About Meaghan Mountford:

I've been a professional cookie decorator for a decade. Until my baby girl made me stay home with her, I was the head decorator at a custom cookie shop, Bundles of Cookies. Our store was featured on the "Today Show." My cookies have appeared in "The Washington Post," "Modern Bride," "The New York Times," and "Chocolatier Magazine." My book on the art of cookie decorating, "Cookie Sensations: Creative Designs for Every Occasion," was published in 2007. Inspired by the joy of crafting the book, I started my own online shop selling cookie decorating kits, Chic Cookies . While continually decorating cookies I also have a Masters in Fine Arts in Literature/Creative Writing and a Masters in Liberal Arts with a focus on children's literature.

Visit her blog at: 

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