marshmallow love bugs

Published by Meaghan on February 1, 2011 · 41 Comments

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Cute marshmallow love bugs, candy treats for Valentine’s Day.

Hey little marshmallow love bug. Lonely?

Here, have a friend!

marshmallow love bugs

Remember when I made this sewing themed gingerbread cottage in cahoots with Cheryl at Sew Can Do? And how I love challenges and parameters? (I may not have mentioned that, but I do.)

We had such fun with our sweet vs. sewn Christmas challenge, we decided to have a go at Valentine’s Day with new themes. Yes, I said themes as in plural. We have even more goodness coming your way next week.

This week, our theme is: LOVE BUGS!!

I have to give you a sneak peek at Cheryl’s ridiculously adorable love bug hat and onesie worn by a ridiculously adorable love bug.

Wow, I wish I could sew to be surrounded by such cuteness all the time. Please, please, check out Cheryl’s etsy shop, The Green Hedgehog. (Ridiculously adorable baby not for sale, but the love bug hat is.)

marshmallow love bugs - candy pops for Valentine's Day

Check back tomorrow for Cheryl’s guest post featuring her love bug creations!

how to make marshmallow love bugs

you will need:*

marshmallows

lollipop sticks

pink sprinkles

mini heart cookie cutter

mini gumdrops

large gumdrops

heart confetti sprinkles

black edible marker

spaghetti

wax paper

rolling pin

sugar

styrofoam block

shortening

knife

toothpick

light corn syrup

I know the list above seems long, but most things you probably have in the kitchen already.

Find the sprinkles, heart cutter (use a small heart, no more than an inch, this may be part of a fondant cutter set), confetti sprinkles, edible marker, lollipop sticks and Styrofoam block at the craft store.

If you can’t find heart confetti sprinkles, circles will work for the eyes. Just omit the heart on his chest.

what to do:

Slide two marshmallows (or three) on a lollipop stick.

It helps immensely if you grease the lollipop stick first with shortening.

Fill a deep bowl or cup with water. Dip the marshmallows in and remove quickly, dabbing excess water on a paper towel.

Hold the wet marshmallows over a bowl or plate and sprinkle generously to coat with the sprinkles. Rest the stick of marshmallows on a piece of wax paper.

Use the marker to add two black dots to two white heart sprinkles.

Use a toothpick to dab dots of corn syrup on the back of the eyes to adhere to the marshmallows. Add a red heart sprinkle to the lower marshmallow.

Let the marshmallows lay on the wax paper until the eyes and heart set.

Cut two mini gum drops in half horizontally with a sharp knife.

Use a small piece of dried spaghetti, about 1-inch long, to skewer the top half of the gum drop and attach to the top of the bug’s head.

Roll a large gumdrop with a rolling pin on a surface dusted generously with granulated sugar.

Roll about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out two mini hearts.

Skewer the hearts with another small piece of dried spaghetti and attach to the bug’s body for wings. Prop in a Sytrofoam block to fully dry.

NOTE:

Assuming these might be made for kids, I used dried spaghetti to attach the antennae and wings rather than toothpicks so that the entire bug was technically edible.

But I most certainly suggest removing the spaghetti before eating, and really really really suggest removing the antennae and wings before handing a marshmallow love bug to a young child!!

These would also be love buggy without the antennae and wings altogether if you’d like to play it safe.