Homemade Marshmallows

Even with the weather getting colder, I can’t resist the occasional walk/run outside during the waning hours of sunlight in the afternoons. I’ve been listening to “Catching Fire”, the second book in the Hunger Games series while I walk, and enjoying the holiday decorations around the neighborhood and in the store windows. On my usual route, I now pass by a new chocolate shop that puts up a folding board in the middle of the sidewalk with things like “Come try our hot chocolate and homemade marshmallows” written in chalk, hence the idea to make my own marshmallows. I have to admit, I don’t love marshmallows, but I do like them when they involve hot chocolate (the sipping kind OR the dipping kind) and so, I decided to try it. Conclusion: make these. SO EASY, and something fun and different for the holidays, not to mention, a great little gift that takes much less effort than baking cookies.

I did some research and decided to use Martha Stewart’s Vanilla Marshmallow Recipe. It just takes a few simple ingredients (sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, salt, vanilla, and confectioner’s sugar) and no baking! I dipped mine in chocolate fondue for dessert one night, roasted them over our fire another night, and topped off a hot chocolate with a few pre-dipped marshmallows later in the week. Enjoy!

Homemade Marshmallows:

3 packages gelatin

2 cups sugar

2/3 cup light corn syrup

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup cold water

confectioner’s sugar

Begin by sprinkling the gelatin over 1/2 cup water in a mixing bowl and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix water, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water in a sauce pan and heat until it just starts to boil and all the sugar is melted into the corn syrup. Once heated through, turn the mixer on high and slowly pour the syrup down the side of the bowl. Add salt and let it mix on high for about 12 minutes until it forms a thick and foamy “batter”. It will be REALLY sticky, so think twice before licking the bowl… Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray and cover in plastic wrap. I also sprayed the plastic wrap with cooking spray as well as a spatula and spread the marshmallow evenly into the dish. Spray another piece of plastic with nonstick cooking spray and cover the marshmallow, pushing down on it in order to flatten it out and even it up. Let it sit for about 2 hours (in the fridge if you want). Use an oiled knife to slice the marshmallows and toss in a bowl of confectioner’s sugar. There ya have it! Have fun!