Although marshmallows aren't exactly a health food, they are fat-free. And honestly, what would hot chocolate be without them?
I love to give food gifts of homemade marshmallows with good-quality hot cocoa in a pretty holiday basket. Everyone loves them.
You can give these marshmallows a peppermint flavor simply by using peppermint extract in place of vanilla.
Homemade Marshmallows
- 3/4 cup cold water
- 3 envelops (3 Tbsp.) unflavored gelatin
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1-1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- butter, for greasing pan
- powdered sugar
You will also need a candy thermometer for this recipe. And I highly recommend using a silicone baking pan. The hardest part about making marshmallows is getting them out of the pan. The silicone baking pan makes the job a breeze.
Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan with butter. Sprinkle powdered sugar over butter. Set aside.
Place 1/2 cup of cold water in a large bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over the water and let it dissolve for about ten minutes.
Meanwhile, heat sugar, corn syrup, salt and the remaining 1/4 water in a heavy saucepan over medium low heat. Bring mixture to a boil. Turn heat up to high and insert a candy thermometer in the pot. Allow mixture to continue boiling until thermometer reads 240 degrees. Remove from heat.
Gradually add sugar mixture to gelatin, beating constantly with an electric mixer on medium speed. Once syrup is well incorporated and mixture starts to get fluffy, you can turn mixer speed up to high. Continue beating for 10-15 minutes. When volume of the marshamallow mixture no longer increases, add the vanilla. The mixture will be the consistency of marshmallow fluff. Stop beating.
Immediately pour marshmallow mixture into your prepared pan. Smooth the top with a silicone spatula. Allow to cool, uncovered, at room temperature for 12 hours or overnight.
Cover a large silicone mat or cutting board lightly with powdered sugar. Turn out marshmallows onto the sugared board. If you have a silicone pan, this will be fairly easy. If not, you may have to coax the marshmallows out with a spoon at the corner.
Once marshmallows are on the cutting board, sprinkle powdered sugar on top. Cut with a sharp knife that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
Makes 36 marshmallows.
Per marshmallow: 46 calories, 0g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 17 mg sodium, 11 g carbohydrate, 0g fiber, 0 g protein, 0% Vitamin A, 0% Vitamin C, 0% calcium, 0% iron
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