How to make a cookie decoration station with edible marshmallow paint
You did face paint last year and booked a magician the year before that. Wondering how to keep little ones busy at this year’s birthday party? A cookie decoration station with edible paint will totally do the trick. And won’t it feel great, just this once, to tell your kids they can play with their food?
Make the marshmallow paint
Marshmallows can easily be transformed into edible paint. You will need the following ingredients for about 1 cup (250ml) of paint. If you’re hosting a lot of kids, you may want to double the recipe:
- 3 cups (about 10) white mmmMallows marshmallows
- ½ cup (125ml) water
- 6 Tbsp (90ml) glucose (available at baking stores and pharmacies)
- food colouring according to your preference
Place the marshmallows in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. The marshmallows will puff up a bit, so make sure your bowl is big enough to avoid any spills. Stir in the water, and microwave the mixture for a further 30 seconds. Stir until smooth. If the marshmallows haven’t melted enough, microwave them again, 15 seconds at a time. Stir in the glucose until it reaches a paint-like consistency.
Allow to stand for 45 minutes before using; this will allow the paint to thicken and makes it easier to use. Divide among several bowls and stir in a few drops of food colouring until paint reaches the colour you want.
Assemble your decoration station
Cover the table with sheets, newspaper or a plastic tablecloth so that kids can make a mess (and you can clean up fast). The edible paint dries well enough to handle, but you won’t be able to stack biscuits that have been decorated. Add the following to your table:plain biscuits (you could also bake your own extra-large ones)
unused paintbrushes
bowls of edible paint
sprinkles
bowls of small sweets like Jelly Tots, Maynards Mini Jubes and Mini Teddies
wet cloth (for wiping sticky fingers)
baking trays (to keep painted biscuits out of the way)