- CHEFGUL

Ingredients

Marshmallow Sauce

1 cup water, divided

1 tsp unflavoured gelatin or agar powder

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

1 cup white corn syrup

1 Tbsp vanilla bean paste or extract

Chocolate Sauce

½ cup unsalted butter

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup 1% or 2% milk

12 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp salt

Assembly

3 cups graham cracker crumbs

½ cup unsalted butter, melted

24 – 36 graham crackers

3 cups mini marshmallows

candy “googly eyes” (optional)

Directions

Marshmallow Sauce

1. For the marshmallow sauce, place 1/2 cup (125 mL) of the water in a small saucepan and sprinkle the gelatin or agar overtop to soften for a minute. If using gelatin, heat this over low heat, stirring until dissolved. If using agar, bring the water to a boil over high heat and stir, boiling for one minute. Remove from the heat and set aside.

2. Bring the remaining 1/2 cup (125 mL) of water, sugar and corn syrup up to a full boil over high heat. Continue to boil on high, without stirring, until the sugar reaches 240ºF (115ºC) on a candy thermometer. Whisk in the gelatin mixture and transfer this to a heatproof bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Whip the sugar on high speed until it becomes white and frothy, and cools down almost to room temperature, about 8 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and set aside. If preparing ahead, the sauce can be kept in an airtight jar or container at room temperature indefinitely.

Chocolate Sauce

1. For the chocolate sauce, bring the butter, brown sugar and milk to just below a simmer over medium-low heat, whisking often. Once the sugar has melted add the chocolate and whisk until the sauce is smooth. Stir in the vanilla and salt and set aside (you can work with the sauce still warm, or chill and reheat to room temperature to use).

Assembly

1. To assemble, preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC) and place 12 ovenproof glass jars or dishes on a baking tray. Stir the graham crumbs and melted butter together, and spoon a little into the bottom of each glass. Top this with a layer of marshmallow sauce (using 2 spoons makes it tidier). Top the marshmallow sauce layer with a graham cracker (break it in pieces to fit into the jar, if needed) and top this with chocolate sauce. Repeat these layers until you reach the top of the jar, trying to end with chocolate sauce if you can. Top each trifle with a generous handful of mini marshmallows. Bake the trifles for 3-4 minutes, until the marshmallows have browned and then serve. For a Halloween ghoulish effect, press two candy “googly eyes” into each trifle before serving. The trifles are tasty warm or at room temperature.