Andrea Johnson has been a self taught baker since middle school and after 15-plus years, she had grown tired with the standard cakes and treats expected of her. A preschool assignment making marshmallows from scratch with her daughter changed everything, and after trying to find nut free desserts for her daughter (who has a nut allergy), Johnson rebranded to a marshmallow focused bakery.

Karmalita’s Marshmallows and Confections is a handcrafted marshmallow shop and s’more pop up business and has been going strong for three years. The business was named after her daughter (her nickname) and flavors change monthly. 

“Vanilla is a classic and available year round. With so many flavor options, it allows me to still explore my creativity and keep things from becoming stagnant,” Johnson said. “I do also offer other marshmallow inspired confections that also rotate and do gourmet s’mores at pop ups and events.”

Despite initial skepticism from non-marshmallow fans, Johnson said she is happy the ‘Mallow Gang’ is growing slowly but surely. For first time customers, she recommends they try something they’d never think to pick and mentioned her favorite item on the menu.

“Vanilla is pretty much a classic flavor that recognize as being the ‘regular’ flavor. If you are dead set on vanilla, I suggest a S’mores Bar,” Johnson said, “[it’s] a graham cracker crust, semi sweet chocolate and vanilla marshmallow bar dessert that can be eaten straight from the package or toasted & melted. It’s both the most popular and my favorite.”

Johnson runs Karmalita’s full-time after quitting her job in March; her goal is to eventually make the switch from being a mobile/online business to acquiring a storefront that appeals to families and the late night crowd.

Johnson’s favorite thing is converting ‘non-mallow’ lovers and she said she likes to emphasize the difference between her marshmallows and store bought. It’s been rewarding for her seeing people enjoy her products, but she said she’s more than just s’mores. 

“I would love for people to just know that Karmalita’s is more than s’mores. I love s’mores, grew up on them, and they have a very special place in my heart,” Johnson said. “However, I’m looking forward to seeing more online orders come through for the retail items available year round.”

Follow Karmalita’s on social media via their official website, Instagram and Facebook.