Lag Baomer has come and gone and the smell of charcoal still lingers after I accidentally left my windows open facing Hod Hasharon's Bonfire Central Headquarters.
Oh, I know I should be pursing my lips and muttering darkly about the damage done to the environment and the dangers of playing with fire, but I must admit that it gives me a real kick to see the neighborhood kids out scouring the fields for twigs for the whole week preceding the holiday, and the broad grins on my children's sooty faces makes all the extra washing worthwhile.
A bonfire isn't a bonfire without roasted marshmallows which in itself should come with a health warning. As a child I remember holding my flaming marshmallow skewer up to a friend's ear so that she could hear it sizzle only to accidentally burn her eyelashes off, and anyone who's ever scalded their lips after biting too hastily into a melted mallow will know just how hot molten sugar can get.
These pretty pink 'n white Pecan Marshmallow Kisses are a far safer bet and are guaranteed to appeal to kids....and to the kid in all of us.
PECAN MARSHMALLOW KISSES
185 g butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 cup self-raising flour
1 1/4 cups plain flour
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
Marshmallows cut in half
1: Preheat oven to 180 C. Beat butter and sugar together till light and creamy and then beat in vanilla and egg.
2: Sift flours together over mixture, stir till just combined then stir in pecans.
3: Roll tablespoons of mixture into small balls, place on lined baking tray with space in between and press down lightly to flatten.
4: Bake for 12 minutes then remove from oven, turn half the cookies over and top with a marshmallow half. Place remaining cookies over marshallow and return to the oven for a few minutes to melt slightly then gently press cookie halves together and set aside.
COOK'S NOTES: If you are feeling horribly lazy you could always make your Marshmallow Kisses using store bought cookies. Remember you can also win the heart of any child by making Marshmallow Magic in your microwave. Place a marshmallow on a large cookie and place in the microwave on high for 10-15 seconds. Allow your pint-sized assistant to watch in wonder as the marshmallow puffs up like a ghost then quickly remove from the oven and sandwich another cookie on top.