I first met Nicole Roberts of Burgh Bakes, about a year ago. Word was starting to get out about her gourmet homemade marshmallows and I instantly became one of her quickly growing legion of fans. The marshmallows started to make appearances at local food markets, craft fairs and a few of the city’s best independently owned shops like The Edinburgh Larder and Lickety Splits started to stock them. Nicole could see that the demand for these delicious marshmallows was growing.
After the success of the online store, she has decided to take the plunge and open a kitchen, cafế and shop called ‘The Marshmallow Lady’ in Canonmills. It’s a well-chosen location, in an area which has seen an increase in enthusiastic foodie footfall recently thanks to the opening of Earthy Three earlier this year. The bright shop has retro touches of kitsch Americana and a cosy slice of Great British vintage with board games and a corner selling crafts.
So, what treats can you expect from the woman who (probably) dreams in marshmallows? Well, prepare yourself for a myriad of marshmallows. Giant glass jars and paper bags are packed with favourites like rocky road, key lime, Innis & Gunn beer, and Great Taste Award winning raspberry. Jumbo versions of some of the favourites are available in tray-bake sizes, and just perfect to accompany a cappuccino or the ultimate hot chocolate.
The cold drinks are more than just an afterthought too. I don’t know about you, but in my mind there’s a pony-tailed bobby-soxed version of me who regularly gets to sit down to while away an hour with friends over a sweet milkshake. Even better, if that milkshake is made with Mackie’s vanilla ice cream and topped with a toasted gourmet marshmallow, served with a red and white candy-striped paper straw. Heavenly!
In the back of the shop is Marshmallow HQ, the new kitchen where all of the fantastic goodies are now made from. It’s worth mentioning that all of the ingredients are ethically sourced wherever possible, meaning fair-trade sugar and free range eggs are used in the recipes. Even better to know, is that many of the recipes are naturally gluten and fat free, and so as long as The Marshmallow Lady keeps dreaming up delicious confectionery, her legion of fans isn’t going anywhere.
The Marshmallow Lady
14 Rodney Street
Edinburgh
EH7 4EA
Tel: 0131 629 7672
Opening hours vary, see www.burghbakes.com
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