Save to Pinterest A whimsical, crunchy dessert featuring chocolate, Coco Pops, and marshmallows, crafted into pinecone shapes and served as a playful salad for kids and adults alike.
I first served this...
Ingredients
- Base: 2 cups (60 g) Coco Pops (cocoa rice cereal), 1 cup (100 g) mini marshmallows, 1/4 cup (60 g) unsalted butter, 100 g milk chocolate, chopped, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Coating & Decoration: 1/3 cup (50 g) icing sugar (for dusting), 1/4 cup (30 g) sliced almonds (optional for added texture)
- Salad Bed: 2 cups (40 g) baby spinach or mint leaves (for garnish/serving bed), 1/2 cup (80 g) fresh strawberries, halved (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Step 2:
- In a heatproof bowl, melt butter and chocolate together over a pan of simmering water or in 30-second microwave bursts, stirring until smooth.
- Step 3:
- Add mini marshmallows and stir until just melted and combined.
- Step 4:
- Remove from heat and mix in vanilla extract.
- Step 5:
- Gently fold in Coco Pops until well coated.
- Step 6:
- With lightly greased hands, take small handfuls of the mixture and shape into oval, pinecone-like clusters. Press sliced almonds into the surface (if using) to mimic pinecone scales.
- Step 7:
- Place pinecones on the prepared tray and refrigerate for 20 minutes until firm.
- Step 8:
- Dust each pinecone with icing sugar for a snowy effect.
- Step 9:
- Arrange baby spinach or mint leaves on a serving platter to form a salad bed. Place the chocolate pinecones on top. Garnish with strawberries if desired. Serve chilled.
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Save to Pinterest Recipe FAQs
- → How do I shape the pinecones?
Lightly grease your hands, take small handfuls of the coated mixture, and gently press into oval clusters. Press sliced almonds onto the surface to mimic pinecone scales.
- → Can I use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate?
Yes, substituting dark chocolate will provide a richer, more intense flavor while maintaining the crunchy texture.
- → What alternatives are there for the almond coating?
You can swap sliced almonds for sunflower seeds or omit nuts entirely for a nut-free texture variation.
- → Is it possible to make this without marshmallows?
Marshmallows help bind and add sweetness, but a sticky syrup or melted caramel could be experimented with as a substitute.
- → How should I serve these pinecones?
Arrange them chilled on a bed of fresh baby spinach or mint leaves, optionally garnished with halved fresh strawberries for a vibrant presentation.