by Avis Yarbrough
The modern marshmallow, as we know it, is made of sugar, egg whites, and either gum and gelatin. In 1950’s and 60’s, for Americans, the marshmallow had seem to became the symbol for the over process and sweeten foods, so common during that era. Here is a survey of the many marshmallow treats, homemade and store bought, that came out in the 1950’s.
The Rocky Road candy bar is a blend of chocolate, marshmallows, and cashews and continues to be ranked as 35-40 best selling candy bars in the United States. In 1950, Road
candy bar was invented and manufactured in San Francisco by the Annabelle Candy
Company. Sam Atshuler, a Russian immigrant, founded the company, which was named after his daughter.
Another special treat for children in the fifties are homemade
marshmallows, almost unheard of in our time. Made of gelatin, water, and sugar, homemade marshmallows are just that easy to cook up.
In 1950’s, many recipes for homemade Rice Krispies treats sprung up. One such recipe includes: melted milk chocolate squares with marshmallows, peanuts, and Rice Krispies.
And lets not forget Peeps, little marshmallow treats in the shape of baby chicks that any Easter Basket is incomplete without. They too started in the 1950’s, 1953 to be exact, by the Born team. At the beginning, Peeps were handmade, by squeezing the marshmallow out of a pastry tube into chick shape tins.
But in 1954, Bob Born developed unique machines that were able to produce many Peeps at one time. In the early 1950’s, it took seventy-two hours to make on Peep, today it takes only six minutes.
Also, marshmallows in salads were the thing to do, during the 1950’s. In some cases, a tasty treat, while in others not. For example take the
Jell-O Ribbon Salad, the recipe calls for three different types of Jell-O, mayonnaise, cream cheese, mini marshmallows, whipped cream and pineapple. Hmmm, not so good.
Next, is the Moonpie, although it goes back to 1917, it gained popularity in the 1950’s.
The fifties love of marshmallows produce some tasty store bought treats and homemade recipes, which makes marshmallows not just your average piece of fluff.
