{"id":470,"date":"2023-01-25T19:25:41","date_gmt":"2023-01-25T19:25:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/statedesserts.com\/?page_id=470"},"modified":"2023-01-25T19:25:44","modified_gmt":"2023-01-25T19:25:44","slug":"montana-smores","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/statedesserts.com\/?page_id=470","title":{"rendered":"Montana – S’Mores"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Welcome to Montana! The name Montana comes from the Spanish word “montana” which itself has Latin orgins “montanea” which translates as “mountainous country”.
It is the 4th largest state in the nation, though only about 1 million people reside there. Of the 50 states, it ranks 48th in population density (only Wyoming and Alaska are lower).
It is known for the great outdoors, as evident by the spectacular national parks: Glacier National Park and Yellowstone (shared with ID and Wyoming).
Montana doesn’t have an official state dessert, so we have chosen S’Mores to celebrate the great outdoors.
Legend suggests that the name comes from a 1927 edition of the Girl Scout Manual and is a contraction of “Some More”.
Most people who have tried the delicious combination (and who hasn’t?) will agree – the graham cracker, marshmallow and chocolate combination is a favorite worthy of some more…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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S’Mores and Homemade Marshmallows<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No recipe really needed here, just a few comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The basic combination of graham crackers, toasted marshmallows and chocolate is hard to improve on.
We have tried fancy chocolate (ie Lindt), but find that the bitterness of the classic Hershey is better.
Substitutions for the chocolate include Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or York Peppermint Patties. I actually prefer the plain chocolate though.
One thing that does make a difference is making homemade marshmallows and we include a recipe here. They aren’t really hard to make and taste much better than the commercial variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homemade Marshmallows<\/strong>
Vegetable Spray
2 envelopes (0.25 oz each) unflavored gelatin
1\/2 c corn syrup
1 1\/2 c granulated sugar
1\/4 teaspoon salt
1 t vanilla
1 c confectioners sugar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prepare the pan:
Spray an 8 inch square pan with vegetable spray. Line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides. Spray the parchment with vegetable spray. (The parchment will serve as a sling later when unmolding the marshmallows)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make the Marshmallows:
In the bowl of a mixer, put 6 T of water. Sprinkle the gelatin over the water, mix lightly and let sit for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, put another 6 T of water, the corn syrup, salt and sugar. Heat until the mixture reaches 234-240 degrees F (soft ball stage) on a thermometer. This should take 8-10 minutes.
With mixture on low speed fitted with a whisk attachment, slowly pour the sugar mixture into the gelatin. Gradually raise speed to high and beat until firm peaks form. Mix in the vanilla. This should take 10-12 minutes.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Let sit at room temperature for at least 3 hours.
On a cookie sheet or other flat pan, sift 1 c of confectioners sugar. Unmold the marshmallow onto the sugar surface. Cut into squares (2×2 inch squares fit well with the graham cracker size) and dust each with confectioners sugar.
Marshmallows will keep about 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make the S’Mores:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sandwich a toasted marshmallow and piece of chocolate between two graham crackers. Enjoy! (It will be messy, but that is part of the fun!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Welcome to Montana! The name Montana comes from the Spanish word “montana” which itself has Latin orgins “montanea” which translates as “mountainous country”.It is the 4th largest state in the nation, though only about 1 million people reside there. Of the 50 states, it ranks 48th in population density (only Wyoming and Alaska are lower).It … <\/p>\n

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