National Toasted Marshmallows Day (August 30)

One weird holiday on August 30th is National Toasted Marshmallow Day. Check out the other weird August holidays!

Every year on August 30th, sweet tooths and campfire enthusiasts celebrate National Toasted Marshmallow Day. This delightful day is dedicated to the simple joy of toasting marshmallows, a quintessential summer activity that conjures images of warm nights, crackling fires, and the sticky, sweet pleasure of toasted marshmallows.

Whether enjoyed as a standalone treat or as a key component of s’mores, toasted marshmallows capture the essence of summer and outdoor fun. Read on to learn more about marshmallows and their journey to the fire pit, and get delicious toasted marshmallows recipes.

When is National Toasted Marshmallow Day?

National Toasted Marshmallow Day takes place on August 30th each year.

Who Invented National Toasted Marshmallow Day?

National Toasted Marshmallow Day, like many similar celebratory days, doesn’t have a clear record of a single inventor or founder. It was likely established by marshmallow manufacturers, culinary groups, or community organizations aiming to celebrate and promote the fun and joy of toasting marshmallows. This day serves as a delightful thematic event to end the summer season, encouraging people to engage in outdoor activities like campfires and barbecues where marshmallows are a popular treat.

These kinds of observance days are often popularized by marketing efforts to increase consumer engagement and boost sales for related products, such as marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate, especially around the time when people are enjoying summer activities. The promotion and adoption of National Toasted Marshmallow Day help ensure its place as a fun and tasty fixture in the late summer calendar of food-themed celebrations.

The Sweet History of Marshmallows

The marshmallow has its roots in ancient Egypt, where the mallow plant was harvested from marshlands and used to create a honey-sweetened confection for gods and royalty. Over centuries, the recipe evolved and by the 19th century, French confectioners had begun whipping the sap from the marshmallow plant with sugar and egg whites to create the puffy confection known today. Modern marshmallows, however, use gelatin instead of the actual plant extract, making them more stable and suitable for cooking and baking.

Evolution to Campfire Treat

Marshmallows became a popular ingredient in the United States in the early 20th century, with mass production beginning in the 1950s. It was around this time that roasting marshmallows over a fire became an American tradition, particularly among scouts and outdoor enthusiasts. The practice of toasting marshmallows is believed to have been inspired by the way that other foods were roasted over open flames as a method of cooking and enjoying the outdoors.

How to Roast Marshmallows

Roasting marshmallows is an art that combines technique with personal preference, aiming to achieve that perfect golden brown exterior and gooey, melted interior. Whether you’re gathered around a campfire, using a backyard fire pit, or even an indoor fireplace, here’s how you can master the art of marshmallow roasting:

Choose Your Equipment: You will need a roasting stick or skewer. Ensure it’s long enough to keep you a safe distance from the fire. Stainless steel skewers or designated marshmallow roasting sticks are ideal because they’re durable and easy to clean. Wooden skewers can also be used but should be soaked in water first to prevent them from burning.
Prepare the Fire: A good marshmallow roasting fire should have glowing coals with a bed of low flames. Avoid fires that are too hot with high flames as they are likely to burn the marshmallows before warming them through.
Skewer the Marshmallow: Pierce the marshmallow through the center, lengthwise, onto the skewer. Make sure it’s secure but not squished or torn.
Roast with Patience: Hold the marshmallow above the coals instead of placing it directly into the flames. Rotate it slowly to cook evenly. The goal is to caramelize the sugars slowly, giving you a crispy, golden outside and a soft, melted middle. Some prefer their marshmallows lightly golden, while others enjoy them with a charred crust.
Finding the Sweet Spot: The best position for roasting is over red embers or a small, controlled flame. If using a larger fire, find a spot where the heat is consistent but not so intense that it will ignite the marshmallow.
Practice Safety: Always be cautious when around open flames. Keep a safe distance, be aware of others around you, and ensure children are supervised at all times.
Enjoying Your Marshmallow: Once your marshmallow is roasted to your liking, carefully remove it from the fire. Wait a few seconds for it to cool down slightly before eating. Be cautious, as the sugar can be extremely hot.
Advanced Techniques: For an extra delicious treat, consider stuffing your marshmallow with a small piece of chocolate before roasting, or roasting two marshmallows at once to sandwich between graham crackers with chocolate for a classic s’more.

Roasting marshmallows can be a fun and engaging activity for both kids and adults, perfect for family gatherings, camping trips, or any outdoor celebration. With these tips, you can turn simple marshmallows into a special treat that adds warmth and sweetness to any gathering.

Celebrating National Toasted Marshmallow Day

National Toasted Marshmallow Day can be celebrated in numerous fun and delicious ways:

Host a Marshmallow Roasting Party: Gather friends and family around a fire pit or campfire to toast marshmallows. Share stories, enjoy the warmth of the fire, and savor the taste of perfectly toasted marshmallows.
Try Different Recipes: While traditional toasted marshmallows are a classic, consider experimenting with flavored marshmallows or different toppings like chocolate, caramel, or sprinkles for a unique twist.
Create a S’mores Bar: Set up a s’mores bar with graham crackers, a variety of chocolates, and toasted marshmallows. Allow guests to customize their own s’mores combinations.
Marshmallow Crafts: For those who enjoy DIY projects, use marshmallows to create edible art or crafts with kids, such as marshmallow sculptures held together with toothpicks.
Share on Social Media: Use the hashtag #NationalToastedMarshmallowDay to share your celebration, recipes, and photos with others online. This is a great way to spread the joy and see how others are commemorating the day.
Go Camping: Go out camping to make your roasted marshmallows. You can also add to the fun with tin foil dinners and camping activities for kids.

Fun Facts About Toasted Marshmallows

First S’mores Recipe: The first recorded recipe for s’mores, where toasted marshmallows are a key ingredient, appeared in a 1927 publication of the Girl Scout handbook, making it a long-standing tradition.
Marshmallow Roasting Science: The perfect toasted marshmallow should be golden brown on the outside and gooey on the inside. Achieving this involves rotating the marshmallow near the coals, where it’s hot enough to toast without burning.
Guinness World Record: The largest s’more ever made weighed 267 pounds and was created in 2014 in Huntington, Indiana. It used 140 pounds of marshmallows, 90 pounds of chocolate, and 90 pounds of graham crackers.

National Toasted Marshmallow Day is more than just a celebration of a beloved treat; it’s a nod to the joys of summer and the simple pleasures that come with sharing food and stories around a fire. As the summer season winds down, this day provides the perfect excuse to enjoy one of its sweetest traditions. So grab some marshmallows, find your nearest campfire, and toast to the delicious, sticky fun of marshmallow roasting!