homemade marshmallows

On Saturday our good friends had their annual Christmas party. It was tons of fun, as always! There was so much good food and plenty to drink, including a fabulous hot cocoa bar! My contribution was the homemade marshmallows for the hot cocoa, and I think they went over pretty well.


Making homemade marshmallows is not difficult, but be prepared to get a little sticky! I was very happy with how they turned out, and will def make them again soon. Perfect for hot cocoa or in s'mores, or maybe just dipped in chocolate- yum!


Homemade Marshmallows

2 1/2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
Confectioner's sugar (for dusting)

Combine gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer with a whisk attachment. Let it stand 30 minutes.

Combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small heavy saucepan, place over low heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Wash down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to dissolve sugar crystals.

Clip on a candy thermometer, raise heat to high. Cook syrup without stirring until it reaches 244 degrees (firm-ball stage). Immediately remove pan from heat.

With mixer on low speed, slowly and carefully pour syrup into the softened gelatin. Increase speed to high, and beat until mixture is very thick and white and almost tripled volume, about 10 minutes. Add vanilla, blend to incorporate.

Generously dust an 8 x 12 inch baking pan with confectioners sugar. Pour marshmallow mixture into pan. Dust top with confectioners sugar, let stand uncovered overnight to dry out. Slice into cubes with a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

original recipe found here