A few months ago, Trader Joe’s jumped on the gourmet marshmallow bandwagon and started selling peppermint marshmallows for the holiday season. They were pretty awful – overly sugary and aggressively minty – and it’s no surprise that they didn’t last long. Because of my previous experience, I was a bit apprehensive about trying out their new Vanilla Marshmallows when I saw them this week. My love of marshmallows prevailed over my doubts and I bought a package to try.
Soft and with an almost meringue-like foamy texture, these marshmallows are worlds away from their previous efforts. They are not too sweet and have a very subtle vanilla flavor. In fact, if someone had told me they were “creme soda marshmallows” I think that I would have believed it. They’re not quite up to my favorite homemade marshmallows, of course, but the ingredient list reads almost exactly the same, so they’re pretty similar. The biggest difference is that they don’t seem to be quite as dense/firm as my homemade ‘mallows, although I suspect that all it will come to is that the marshmallows will melt faster in hot chocolate than mine. Otherwise, with 16 marshmallows in a package, they’re not a bad buy. They toast pretty well and I think I’d rather use them for summertime s’mores than regular store-bought marshmallows.
Sophie
June 12, 2008I agree, I’d much rather use these than the store-bought ones :). We don’t have a Trader Joe’s here, but I’m about to move to Boston and they definitely have them there, so I’ll have to keep a look out for these! I looove marshmallows, the idea of eating a sweet and fluffy cloud-like dessert thrills me :D.
sharon
June 12, 2008I was just at Trader Joe’s and saw these on the ‘new product’ shelf. Another lady and I were “oohing” and “ahhing” over them but neither of us walked away with a package. Now I’m tempted…I absolutely love homemade marshmallows and if these are somewhat close, I’m there!
cybele
June 12, 2008Hmm, I got stung by those Peppermint ones twice (tried exchanging them because they couldn’t possibly be intended to be that bad), but I’d still be willing to try them.
How much were they?
Nicole
June 12, 2008The marshmallows were $3.99.
Also, I wanted to update that I tried toasting them (over a small, open flame) and they worked out very well!
Erin @ The Skinny Gourmet
June 12, 2008I have downloaded a few homemade marshmellow recipes. I never knew how simple they were (or at least, they look. I havent tried yet). But its good to know that a viable option is out there at TJs if I turn out not to be a marshmellow prodigy.
m.egan
January 25, 2009These are not seasonal.
Why have they been discontinued?
Kay sneva
November 19, 2014I am allergic to corn syrups and all sulfites. So excited to try these marshmellows. Thank you.
Kay sneva
Spokane wa.