Marshmallow creme
 | |
| Type | Confectionery |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Main ingredients | corn syrup, sugar syrup, vanilla flavor, and egg white |
Marshmallow creme is an American confectionery. It is a very sweet, spreadable, marshmallow-like confection. Marshmallow creme and peanut butter are used to create a fluffernutter sandwich. In addition, marshmallow creme and Nutella can be spread on graham crackers to emulate s'mores.
One popular brand of marshmallow creme, sold principally in the Northeastern United States, is Marshmallow Fluff, manufactured by Durkee-Mower, Inc. It is also available in Canada, some European supermarkets (France,Scandinavia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands), and Saudi Arabia, in standard vanilla and strawberry flavor (a raspberry flavor was discontinued by the company in October 2015). Its ingredients include corn syrup, sugar syrup, vanilla flavor, and egg whites.[1] Ricemellow Creme, manufactured by Suzanne's Specialties, Inc., is a common vegan equivalent.
History
Many late 19th century "marshmallow paste" recipes produced solid foods. The earliest mention of marshmallow creme in an American cookbook is from Fannie Farmer's Boston School Cook Book, printed in 1896. However, the author does not give a recipe for marshmallow cream in this book, instead giving a recipe for marshmallow paste in the cake filling section. In 1902, Mrs. Rorer's New Cook Book by Sarah Tyson Rorer describes her recipe for "marshmallow filling".[2]
Around the beginning of the 20th century, Somerville, Massachusetts resident and inventor of the product Solo Marshmallow Creme[3] Archibald Query started selling his version door-to-door. He soon afterward sold the recipe to two candy makers in Lynn, Massachusetts, H. Allen Durkee and Fred Mower, for $500. The product first hit market shelves in cans as Toot Sweet Marshmallow Fluff in 1917. The first two words were dropped soon after the packaging changed to a glass jar in the 1940s. Today, the Durkee-Mower company is one of only three companies in North America to produce marshmallow creme, the others being Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme and Solo Marshmallow Creme.
"Fluff" continues as a regional tradition in the Northeastern United States. One popular use is in the Marshmallow Fluff and peanut butter sandwich (Fluffernutter). Also, the container has a "no-fail" recipe for chocolate fudge printed on the side.
Since at least 2006, the city of Somerville has celebrated Query's original creation of Fluff with an annual festival in Union Square titled What the Fluff?.[4] Typical activities at the festival have included a science fair, gallery show, cooking contests, and carnival games such as a bean-bag toss, all themed around Marshmallow Fluff. In 2011, actress Susan Olsen, most famous for portraying Cindy Brady on the Brady Bunch, attended the festival, where she sold her marshmallow fluff-inspired art.[5]
According to a 2006 Boston Globe article, Massachusetts State Senator Jarrett Barrios proposed a restriction on the number of weekly servings of Marshmallow Fluff (Fluffernutter) sandwiches in the form of an amendment to a bill that will limit junk food in schools. The proposal was later dropped. Also in 2006, State Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein planned to file a bill that would make the Fluffernutter the official sandwich of Massachusetts. The incident is locally referred to as "The Great 2006 Kerfluffle."[6]
See also
References
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions about Fluff". Retrieved February 13, 2008.
- ^ "Marshmallow cream/creme". Lynne Olver.
- ^ Jan, Tracy (October 1, 2006). "At Fluff-inspired festival, sweet teeth come out to play (Boston Globe)". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 19, 2008.
- ^ "What the Fluff? festival, Somerville, Massachusetts". Retrieved October 13, 2006.
- ^ ""Brady Bunch" Star Susan Olsen Brings Her Love of Fluff to Somerville". blog posting. Union Square Main Streets. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Fluff fans fight back at Statehouse". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on May 31, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2006.
Further reading
- The Marshmallow Fluff Cookbook: More than 110 Real Recipes for Serious Fluffernuts with Justin Schwartz, Philadelphia: Running Press, 2004. ISBN 0-7624-1833-8.