Sneaking in just under the wire with my not so successful attempt for we should cocoa. Choclette who is the host this month chose blackcurrants as the special ingredient and I really had to scratch my head to come up with an idea. As this was a last minute creation, I couldn't find any fresh blackcurrants so had to settle for blackcurrant jam instead. I've seen lots of creative entries this month but wanted to try something different. Buoyed by my recent success at making my own marshmallows I decided to make chocolate marshmallows with a blackcurrant jam filling. Sadly, it didn't turn out as expected and the lack of contrast in colours makes it even more difficult to photograph! It tastes delicious though and reminds me more of a jelly than a marshmallow! So perhaps I'll call this a chocolate jam/jelly/mallow!!
I'm entering this to We Should Cocoa which is hosted by Choclette from Chocolate Log Blog and Chele from Chocolate Teapot. Each month a special ingredient is chosen and the recipe has to incorporate the chosen ingredient and chocolate in any form.
ingredients required - gelatine, golden syrup (or corn syrup), blackcurrant jam, cocoa powder 
making the sugar syrup
boiling to the correct temperature 
I tried using one of my fancy moulds but unfortunately these didn't set and I don't have any photos of them. Basically you half-fill the mould with marshmallow mixture, pipe a blob of jam then cover with more marshmallow mixture and allow it to set for at least 4 hours. (The marshmallow mixture should be firmer than this but I'm not too sure where I went wrong!) 
It's hard to see but I promise you there is jam in the middle! It honestly tastes better than it looks! :)
I've not had time to email the author for permission to publish the recipe. The recipe is from Marshmallow Madness by Shauna Sever. I combined 2 of her recipes to make these but I may have missed a step as they didn't quite turn out!! Entirely my fault - it's a great book!
They look good to me Ros, I'd happily eat a plateful of those, lovely idea for the challenge too. x
ReplyDeleteThanks! I really wanted to try something different and I'm glad I did. I'll send you a plateful :)
DeleteWonderful, and I love the idea. Inspired
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea, and they look pretty good to me, too! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks - I have to say everyone was put off by the look of it but it does taste good :)
DeleteIt is a really excellent idea. I bet they tasted fabulous regardless! Chocolate, marshmallow, jam... what's not to like?
ReplyDeleteTasted much better than it looks! I won't even repeat what I've been told it looks like!!
DeleteI love that you attempted this, Ros - and I'd definitely try one! Even if the camera doesn't do them justice, they're so original and sound delicious...
ReplyDeleteThanks! I really wanted to try something different and yes it tastes better than it looks :)
Deletelook delicious!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I would so love to try some.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'll send some over :)
DeleteThis is a great idea, even if you aren't satisfied with the outcome. I'd certainly be willing to try them!
ReplyDeleteIt looked much better in my head! I'm glad I tried it - nothing ventured, nothing gained :)
DeleteBrilliant attempt! At least they still tasted yum even though didn't work out how you wanted, look deslish!
ReplyDeleteNom! x
Thanks Nom! Clearly need more practice with making marshmallows!
DeleteI tip my hat off to you Ros! You participate and hold so many fun events and you always come up with something interesting! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorraine! I try my best but sometimes it just doesn't work! I really enjoy these challenges as they allow me to challenge myself :)
DeleteAbsolutely brilliant idea Ros. They look good to me and I'm mighty impressed by you having a go at marshmallows at all - I still haven't plucked up the courage! I think I'd be fighting Sue for the plate. Really appreciate that you tried something different. Thanks for entering.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I really wanted them to work but ran out of time to make another batch. Oh well glad you enjoyed them anyway :)
DeleteIntriguing idea - I'm sure these taste lovely. Some of the world's yummiest things don't photograph well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Phil! It's the taste that matters but we usually eat with our eyes first. A lot of people were put off by the appearance!
DeleteFab idea, my boyf loves marshmallows and would love these. For some reason though anything involving a thermometer scares me, I got one for my birthday but haven't plucked up the courage to use it yet. I really should! I think these look great!
ReplyDeleteI'd recommend the vanilla marshmallow then - at least those looked like marshmallows!! I was scared to use the thermometer too but now I quite enjoy it :)
DeleteThey look great - I'm very impressed that you were confident enough to adapt a recipe for something so tricky, even if they didn't work out perfectly for you!
ReplyDeleteI was probably too ambitious! The recipes are different but I thought surely a little change here and there will be ok - clearly not!
DeleteWow! This is one batch of poshed up marshmallows. Fantastic idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chele - lovely to see you back!! :)
Deleteoh wow! how interesting! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think it was a good idea but the execution is flawed!
DeleteWhen I was a child, my father use to take me to the penny candy store (although the candy was no longer a penny:) I could hardly control my excitement when we would pass by these chocolate marshmallow bars about the size of a slice of gum, which were layered with jam, marshmallow and covered with chocolate. As soon as I saw the title of this post, I immediately thought of them. Kudos to you Ros, I think your chocolate jam/jelly/mallows look great!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing...
Thanks Louise! I'm so glad this brought back happy childhood memories :)
DeleteSounds like a wonderful sweet treat.
ReplyDeleteThey were definitely very sweet!
DeleteHi Ros, this looks lovely and all gooey inside with the jam, just the way marsh mellows should be. I am sure it tastes delicious!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the Alphabakes round up :)
Thanks! They were quite sweet and a bit on the soft side but still edible. The AlphaBakes round up is now available on Caroline's blog.
DeleteI've never tried chocolate marshmallows before!
ReplyDeleteMe neither until now... not perfect but yummy :)
DeleteI have a candy thermometer on order for another recipe. I can't wait to try marshmallows as well!
ReplyDeleteMarshmallows are fun to make when they work properly! You'll have fun with your candy thermometer :)
DeleteWhat an interesting recipe! Looks yummy! :)
ReplyDeleteEven though they didn't turn out exactly as you hoped they still look and sound delicious, I think a jelly/marshmallow mix sounds even more yummy than just plain marshmallow!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I tried my best but it just wasn't meant to be. At least the doughnuts worked :)
DeleteWhat a creative idea, Ros! Absolutely love this recipe. I'm desperate to make my own marshmallows soon! I love the idea of stuffing them with jam. Send me one please?!
ReplyDeleteThanks - I was really trying to think outside the box here. Next time I'll try the vanilla marshmallow with chocolate ganache as its the recipe given in the book and looks good :)
DeleteOMG, wow, I am speechless. I just found your picture on pinterest and thought it is cake. Now that I know these wonderful brown and delish looking bites are chocolate marshmallows I am like dancing on the table. I am very impressed and can't take my eyes off your pics. Wow....
ReplyDeleteThank you! I thought they didn't look particularly appetising but they were delicious!
Delete