Sticky Marshmallow Crispy Squares

Our answer

Nigella's Marshmallow Crispy Squares (from NIGELLA EXPRESS) are Rice Krispy treat bars made with a mixture of melted marshamllows and butter. Mini marshmallows are used as they melt quickly. The mixture itself is quite sticky once the rice cereal has been mixed in and you need to press it into a greased pan. You can do this either with the back of a large spoon that has been lightly greased with flavourless oil or with your hands, in which case we suggest wearing a pair of "CSI" (latex) gloves or having slightly damp fingers. The squares will become less sticky as they set.

If the marshmallow mixture is very thick and stiff then it is most likely that the marshmallows were old (check the best before date on the bag) or had been open a while. This makes it more difficult to get a smooth mixture as the marshmallows tend to melt into one large blob. Also if the marshmallow mixture got too hot, or was allowed to boil, then this would make the crispy squares very sticky initially and then quite hard once they have set. However, this is a less likely reason if, as described, a low heat was used. To help clean the pan, fill it with water and put it back on the stove. Let it come up to simmering point then turn off the heat and leave until cool enough to handle. You should be able to scrape off any sticky mixture and then give the pan a good scrub with warm water and plenty of washing up (dishwashing) liquid.