Marshmallow Snowmen

Name: Marshmallow Snowmen
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 37 min
Yield: 10 snowmen
Cuisine: South African
Ingredients: 30 medium white marshmallows, approximately 240 g; 60 g white chocolate, finely chopped; 20 g dark chocolate, finely chopped; 10 thin pretzel sticks, approximately 20 g; 10 small orange jelly sweets, approximately 20 g; 20 mini candy-coated chocolate sweets, approximately 20 g; 30 g red sour sweet belts, cut into 10 narrow scarf strips

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37 min totalPrep: 35 minCook: 2 min Serves 10 snowmen Dessert

This Marshmallow Snowmen recipe brings a snowy touch to Christmas without asking you to switch on the oven. Three white marshmallows make each little snowman, with chocolate dots, crunchy pretzel arms and a bright sweetie scarf. They lie flat rather than standing upright, so there are no hidden toothpicks to worry about.

For a hot South African Christmas, these are a handy make-ahead treat: decorate them in the cool of the morning, then keep them covered somewhere cool until serving. Children can help choose the scarves and add buttons, while an adult handles the melted chocolate. Set them out on a shaded dessert table in small batches, with the rest waiting indoors away from the summer heat.

Ingredients

Servings10

For the snowmen

30 medium white marshmallows, approximately 240 g
60 g white chocolate, finely chopped
20 g dark chocolate, finely chopped
10 thin pretzel sticks, approximately 20 g
10 small orange jelly sweets, approximately 20 g
20 mini candy-coated chocolate sweets, approximately 20 g
30 g red sour sweet belts, cut into 10 narrow scarf strips

Instructions

1
Line a flat tray that fits in your fridge with baking paper. Arrange the marshmallows in 10 groups of three, allowing space beside each group for arms. These snowmen will be assembled and served lying flat.
2
Put the white chocolate in a clean, dry microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium power in 15-second bursts, stirring between each, until just melted. Repeat with the dark chocolate in a separate bowl. Allow both to cool slightly until thick but still spreadable.
3
Working on one snowman at a time, move its marshmallows aside and spread about 5 ml melted white chocolate into a narrow strip on the paper, just shorter than the length of three marshmallows. Press the three marshmallows into the strip in a touching row to form the head and body.
4
Break each pretzel stick in half. Dip the broken ends in a little of the remaining white chocolate and tuck them beside the middle marshmallow, pressing them into the chocolate backing to make two arms.
5
Cut a small pointed wedge from each orange jelly sweet. Use tiny dabs of white chocolate to attach one nose to each head and two candy-coated chocolate buttons down each body.
6
Drape a red sweet-belt strip across the join between the head and middle marshmallow, folding one end down like a scarf. Secure it with a small dab of white chocolate.
7
Spoon the dark chocolate into a small piping bag and snip off the tiniest tip. Pipe two eyes and a dotted smile onto each head. A clean cocktail stick dipped in chocolate also works; remove it from the work area once decorating is finished.
8
Refrigerate the tray for 10–15 minutes, until the chocolate backing is firm. Carefully lift each snowman with a thin spatula and transfer to a serving platter, keeping it flat. Keep cool until serving.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 186 kcal
Carbohydrates: 37.5 g
Protein: 1.8 g
Fat: 3.5 g
Saturated fat: 2 g
Sugar: 28.6 g
Fibre: 0.4 g
Sodium: 63 mg
Cholesterol: 2 mg

Estimated values based on the ingredients used.

Notes

Christmas tips

Choose marshmallows of a similar size so the heads and bodies line up neatly. Flat-sided marshmallows are easiest to decorate.
Make these up to one day ahead. Store in a single layer in an airtight container in a cool room, or refrigerate if your kitchen is warm. Pretzel arms are crunchiest on the day of making.
In humid weather, let the closed container stand briefly after taking it out of the fridge before opening it. This helps reduce condensation on the sweets.
Serve away from direct sun. These are chewy, sugary treats with small sweets and hard pretzel pieces, so they are not suitable for very young children; supervise children while eating.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make these without a microwave?

Yes. Melt each chocolate separately in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Keep the bowl above the water and prevent any steam or water from getting into the chocolate.

Will the snowmen stand upright?

No. This version is designed to lie flat on its chocolate backing. Keep them flat when storing and serving, and use a spatula to move them rather than lifting them by the head or arms.

Are these suitable for vegetarian or halaal guests?

Check every sweet packet, especially the marshmallows and jelly sweets, which may contain gelatine. Choose vegetarian products or appropriately halaal-certified ingredients to suit your guests, and check the chocolate and pretzels too.

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