Introduction: Tiger Tails
These treats are chewy gooey good! I first had something like this at a certain amusement park in Anaheim, CA and they were named for a tiger like creature that liked to bounce around.
Here's what you need:
~ Package of large marshmallows
~ 14 oz package of traditional caramels (unless you want to make your own caramel)
~ Approximately 1/2 cup of sugar (preferably with larger granules)
~ Orange food coloring
~ Your choice of chocolate for melting (you need approximately 1/4 cup)
~ Large wooden skewers cut down to approximately 6 inches
(Warning: cut off and discard or re-purpose the pointed tip. We don't want the kiddies to
get a sharp surprise!)
~ You will also need parchment paper and a small plastic baggie
These measurements are enough to make approximately 12 Tiger Tails
Step 1: Coloring the Sugar and Other Preparation
Place your sugar in a bowl and add a few drops of the orange food coloring. Mix well with a fork. Add more coloring in small amounts if needed. It doesn't take much. Dump the sugar on a plate and set aside to let dry while you proceed with the next steps.
Place three marshmallows on the skewers by pushing the skewer through the middle of each. If you haven't done so already, cut the skewer down to 6 inches and make sure the pointed tip is gone.
Step 2: Melt the Caramels
Melt the caramels according to the instructions on your package. To melt mine, I placed the caramels in a large saucepan along with two tablespoons of water and then stirred constantly on medium heat. After the caramels are melted, I turn the heat to low just to keep the caramel warm and workable.
Side note: I also spray the pan with a non-stick spray to help in cleanup (not sure if it really helps, but I figure it couldn't hurt!). To clean my pan, because caramel is sticky and sometimes hard to clean off, I just boiled water in the pan to remove most of the caramel.
Okay, let's put some tails together.
Step 3: Dipping and Rolling
Organize your workspace into a Tiger Tail assembly line so you can grab your marshmallow adorned skewers, dip them in caramel, add the colored sugar, and then place on your parchment paper.
At this time, take a fork and make sure the sugar is broken up and not sticking together.
Grab a skewer and spoon the melted caramel over the entire surface of the marshmallows. Let the excess caramel drip off into the pan- this also lets the caramel cool just a bit.
Now, roll your caramel coated marshmallows in the sugar. Spoon some on the hard to get areas if needed and make sure you get some sugar on the ends of the marshmallows. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet or plate.
Stir your caramel and continue to dip and roll.
Step 4: Adding the Chocolate Tiger Stripes
Use whatever chocolate you enjoy and melt about 1/4 cup of it according to the package instructions. Spoon the melted chocolate into a small plastic baggie and cut off a small portion of a bottom corner to make a small hole. Squeeze the bag as you pass over the "orange tails" and turn them into "tiger tails" by making the stripes.
Let the treats cool down for an hour or two before enjoying.
If you desire, you could also had some stripes of white chocolate. Another possibility is to make these coordinate with various holidays. With St. Patrick's Day coming up in March, you could use green colored sugar and maybe decorate with minty chocolate.
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22 Comments
10 years ago
Hart acak
12 years ago on Introduction
Having never had the ones sold in Anaheim (but I've heard of them), can I ask wether they are sugary on the outside or dipped in orange white chocolate? Either way I love this idea, because I've been wanting to try to make some for my dairy allergic son, but I have yet to find a meltable dairy free white chocolate. This solves that problem as long as I make homemade carmel sauce which I can. Thank you!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
My daughter seems to think there might be two types that they sell at "the land", so I'm going to try and find out if they use white chocolate at all for you.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Okay, a little birdie told me that the original ones sold at the park were marshmallows covered in caramel, covered in orange chocolate, and then drizzled with milk chocolate. Then, they started making the variation similar to the one I submitted here. Seems they also have ones that, after coated with the caramel, are then covered in milk chocolate, white chocolate, and sometimes even dark chocolate.
So, in the end, you can see the basic technique here, but you can change it up to whatever your taste buds enjoy or to your family's dietary needs.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Wow, thanks!
12 years ago on Introduction
How about using small marshmallows on toothpicks? Would that work? Would be less sugars with the same enjoyment?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
You forget that sugar is one of the most important food groups! All I can say is it could possibly work. The only problem I can think of is that the warm caramel does start to soften and melt the marshmallow. So, the small ones might melt away too much. A couple options would be to skewer only one large marshmallow or share the ones like I make with someone.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Right! I didn't think about the hot caramel and marshmallow. I may still try it. Thanks for the reply.
12 years ago on Step 4
Very Delicious indeed ! it will be a grand daughter surprise.
Small tip After putting the marshmallows on the sticks place them in the freezer over night. its something I I use to make up chocolate covered marshmallows and to get a gloss on them used a glass (Pyrex ) beaker with a mix of cooking and normal chocolate plus a SMALL touch of cooking oil and if you are VERY careful melt the mix in the microwave. I then dipped the Marshmallows in using a toothpick or cocktail stick to avoid having scalded fingers, then left to set minus the toothpick on greaseproof paper< It's possible to make about 100 in an hour! The night in the freezer stopped the marshmallow going too gooey and also cooled them down quickly ( That is if you are told late Sunday, that you are expected to provide your child with some thing to take to a bring & buy sale for to morrow morning first thing!!!! )
12 years ago on Introduction
I had a feeling they looked familiar... haha.
12 years ago on Introduction
looks gross. but maybe its tasty, who knows
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Buddy the Elf knows and would tell you these are great. In fact, I think these were his rations as he passed through the seven levels of the candy cane forest and through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops.
12 years ago on Introduction
Cool! I'll definitely try this.
At first glance I thought it was a roasted coconut covering with chocolate drizzle. Which honestly I think I'd like better as this whole thing is just layers of sugar. lol
Thanks for sharing. :)
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Usually, I don't like treats with straight sugar coating (peeps, sugar donuts, etc.), but this one works for me for some reason. If you enjoy coconut, I say go for it!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
How about rolling in toasted coconut, after the caramel dip~~wouldn't be orange (unless you colored it orange) but tasty.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
True, but it doesn't exactly look orange on my screen. Looks more burnt orange/brownish on my screen. lol
12 years ago on Introduction
Those are very cute~ :3
I'd love to try making them.
12 years ago on Introduction
I HAVE THOSE BOWLS!!!!!
12 years ago on Introduction
This is getting made next payday for the kids for after school. Hopefully some will be left to take to school the next day? AND NUT-FREE, but I reckon for HOME use some crushed nuts would really add to the experience?
12 years ago on Introduction
Skittles Syndrome - Here I come 8-D
Great stuff. I can't wait to spring this on unsuspecting parents. Thanks!!