For a quick and questionably tasty science experiment, microwave a marshmallow for about a minute and enjoy the results.
Wondering what will happen? The marshmallow will puff up to four times its original size like a poofy souffle. It will be a hot gooey mess before cooling into a crispy pancake.
Expect smiles and sticky fingers.
We tried this yesterday before bed on a paper towel to keep the microwave from getting nasty. Use wax paper if you want to eat the finished product! Ours were destined for the compost bin.
One of our easter “traditions” is to do this with peeps. The sugar on the outside melts then hardens when it cools.
Laura, do you eat them?
If you are extra dorky and have middle school plus age kids, you can use this experiment to measure the speed of light. Use fresh marshmallows; put in single layer on plate; rig it so they don’t rotate; nuke till it is a gooey puddle; it will form standing waves to represent the microWAVES in your oven. Look inside the door for the frequency of your microwave. speed of light = wavelength * frequency (you can guide them through figuring out that relationship using dimensional analysis). It if far from exact, but impressively close (within an order of magnitude) considering that you are measuring the speed of light using marshmallows and a microwave!
Whoa Karyn, You just blew my mind. Too bad we tossed all the other marshmallows because otherwise I was going to eat them.
My microwave “instant gratification s’mores” recipe:
Break a graham cracker in half. Put about 15-20 chocolate chips on one half (or half of one of those Trader Joes mini chocolate bars they have next to the registers). Microwave for 8 seconds. Then put in the other graham cracker half with a marshmallow on top. Microwave both halves for another 8 seconds. The marshmallow may roll off, just act fast, get it on there and squish the two halves together. Instant gratification s’mores! (My microwave is very high-powered, you may need to adjust the times by a few seconds to get it just right.)
In college, my friends and I had no money, so we would grab marshmallows from the cafeteria and then stick a toothpick in the center of them. Then we’d put two marshmallows with toothpicks in the microwave together, close but not touching, and then watch them have a “sword fight” while they spun in circles. It was pretty much hilarious. 🙂 (We were seriously poor college students, which might have contributed to the entertainment value…but still. Good times!)
You guys are making me wish I didn’t toss out the bag.
Jessica, that is awesome! I think my kids would go nuts for that too. We often say that talking with them is like talking to stoned people (“whoa, look at the second hand of the clock”).
Ghanamatrix, thanks for giving me an edible idea.