Give Marshmallows A Nostalgic Twist With Shredded Coconut

Forgotten childhood whimsy seems to come alive again anytime we have the chance to eat good marshmallows. From cozy fireside s'mores and hot chocolate during winter to satisfying our munches whenever the mood's right, marshmallows are an ingrained part of many cherished memories. When they're homemade, however, the nostalgia is even more prominent — especially if you throw in shredded coconut as well. 

Loosely reminiscent of another familiar sweet treat — Hostess SnoBalls — this simple twist leaves out the cream-filled chocolate cakes and only focuses on tying marshmallows and coconut together instead. Marshmallows work exceptionally well with the tropical essence of shredded coconut. Both delights share a similarly sweet tone, but the nuances are different. Whereas marshmallows offer a vanilla profile, the coconut is nutty and milky — and when toasted, there's also a hint of warmth cutting through all that richness. Melding into one another, they create a sweet harmony that's both vibrant and soothing. 

The magic goes beyond the flavors. With a crispy, slightly chewy layer of shredded coconut coating the pillowy-soft marshmallows, you'll also get a satisfying textural contrast. Dancing on your tongue alongside the delightful sweetness, this delivers massive joy in every bite of these coconut-covered marshmallows.

Don't worry — putting together homemade marshmallows remains largely the same with this addition. Starting from scratch with shredded coconut, first toast it in the oven, stirring occasionally until the edges are golden brown. Once the flakes are cool and dried, spread some of them onto the baking pan used to make the marshmallows. Toward the end of the process, after the confection has firmed, sprinkle more shredded coconut onto the surface. Finally, after you've cut the marshmallows into squares, dredge them in the remaining coconut for a complete coating.

Whatever idea you have in mind, keep the creative streak going by incorporating other complementary ingredients. It's hard to go wrong with bittersweet melted chocolate, especially if you're aiming to make a holiday-season snack. Salted caramel sauce adds a beautiful richness to enhance the coconut marshmallow's sweetness. The light, zesty essence of lime can also be incredibly refreshing when paired with this treat. 

Much like regular marshmallows, this shredded coconut rendition can be enjoyed in more ways than one. Squished between graham crackers and chocolate, this can be one of the ingredient additions that upgrades s'mores to the next level. You can even add pineapple to enhance the tropical flavor profile, although other fruits would also work. Coconut-infused marshmallow bars packed with cereal can be another fantastic approach, particularly for those who adore crunchy sweets but still want to savor melted gooeyness.