Maria-mole (Portuguese pronunciation:[ma'ɾiɐ'mɔli]; lit.'limp Mary') is a dessert popular in Brazil that is similar to a marshmallow. Maria-mole's base ingredients are sugar, gelatin and egg whites. It is usually covered in grated coconut and made without the addition of any other flavors, although there are variations.[citation needed]
The dessert was created by Antonio Bergamo, a Brazilian candy maker of Italian descent. While trying to use leftover egg whites, he managed to make a firm meringue and decided to add gelatin to it. After the meringue was cool, he noted that it hadn't gotten as firm as he expected, and called it Maria-mole ("soft" or "limp" Mary).[1]
