Sweet Cloud in a Jar (Marshmallow Fluff)

Member Name: shroud

Product:	Marshmallow Fluff
Date:	18/07/08 (163 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: versatile confection, artifical everything free, no preservatives or additives, kosher

Disadvantages: can be hard to find

~~~What is it?~~~

Marshmallow Fluff is a confection originating in the Northeastern United States, with a 75 year old plus manufacturing history. Its only ingredients are corn syrup, sugar syrup, vanilla flavouring, and egg whites. It contains no preservatives, stabilisers, or other additives and is packaged in glass jars as well as plastic tubs. It is cholesterol free, gluten free, and also kosher. As one can imagine from the name, it is fluffy and basically is a marshmallowy creme spread. It is perhaps most famous for its use in the Northeastern US as the fluffy component of the Fluffernutter, which is a sandwich made with peanut butter and Marshmallow Fluff spread on in place of jam. This sandwich is such a favourite, that it is now being included in NASA's menus for astronauts to eat in space. Perhaps rather humorously, the state of Maine is also seriously considering making this their official state sandwich. Who knew?!

~~~Okay, what else can you do with it?~~~



Fluff is used not only as a spread, but can also be used in several dessert recipes in a variety of ways. You can add it to whipping cream as it whips for a cloudlike cake frosting, as well as to make a super easy, more traditional type soft frosting known as 7 minute Fluff Frosting. There are also several recipes for other delights such as cheesecakes, never fail fudge, Amish style Whoopie Pies (a type of filled soft cookie), fruit shakes, and more. The manufacturer Durkee even have a page full of the recipes plus a free downloadable cookbook full of recipes all using Marshmallow Fluff. You can find it at http://www.marshmallowfluff.com/pages/recipe_favor ites.html.


~~~How do I Like it?~~~

I love this stuff. I have to admit Fluffernutters are a bit of a guilty pleasure, specially with chocolate powder sprinkled on. I also find it quite handy for making frosting, whipping up some of the fancier treats from their recipe collection, and a must have when making crispy rice treats. No more melting the marshmallows, just stir in the creme, woohoo! The fudge has always been a big hit when given as a gift for birthdays and Christmas, and several guests have asked for my recipe after sampling some of the other culinary delights made with this. I personally find it much easier to dollop onto hot chocolate instead of actual marshmallows and it makes a decorative mound that is perfect for any sprinkles and the texture removes the "need" to add any whipped cream. I have also found Fluff lovely to add to homemade ice cream for a Rocky Road sort of treat, as it blends in well so that you don't get hard lumps of frozen marshmallows. Mixed with a little warm water, and nuked for no more than 15 seconds, you can also use this as an ice cream topping, which is especially good on a banana split sundae with hot fudge added, and a cocktail cherry! Fans of making S' mores will also delight in knowing that this can be used by the spoonful to make this snack, and makes much less mess than the traditional method of using marshmallows.

Of course, this is not the healthiest of foods, but as a once in a while treat, its great, and the format of being a creme in a jar means that it is handy to store for sudden must make treats emergencies, such as finding out you need to bring things to a coffee morning and no one thought to tell you in advance! The recipes I have tried with the fruit salad and the sweet potatoes also earn kudos from me as it has gotten some very finicky children we have met to eat otherwise healthy foods they would not even try before. It's amazing what a little bit of marshmallowness will do!


~~~Where can I get it?~~~

I have previously ordered this from Tesco, but lately my local one that delivers is not stocking it. if yours doesn't, request it. I currently find it online at Sainsbury's. It costs about £2-3 a jar. Occasionally I have seen Aldi offer their own version as well. As it can be rather hit or miss, I now tend to order mine from Cyber Candy. (http://www.cybercandy.co.uk/aaasmt/index.php/url_ indprod?xlc=680 ) where it is £2.99 a jar, or buy a case for just over £33 for a savings. I have not yet ordered a full case, but am considering it as it is a naturally long shelf life product and I now have a stock pantry space that is building up extra this and jars of goods, especially the harder to get stuff. Fluff in the US is also sold in strawberry and raspberry, again, without any artificial ingredients. I have not seen these flavours here, and have never tried them, so I cannot comment. I hope to someday see them offered here, as I would like to try them out in the frosting and ice cream topping recipes.

Summary: Marshmallow yumminess in a jar, since 1917!