Homemade Marshmallows

I have found my new favorite Christmas treat! Homemade marshmallows! I have had so much fun making them the past few days and trying out different recipes. While most of the recipes I found are pretty much the same, there are a host of different flavors you can make. So far I've made peppermint and vanilla. They have turned out great and it's so fun to do something other than cookies or fudge! Make sure you have a candy thermometer (I'm borrowing one from my grandmother-in-law :)). My poor Kitchen Aid mixer is tuckered out...I'm making more as I type! :)


Ingredients

• 3 packages unflavored gelatin
  
• 1 cup ice cold water, divided
• 12 ounces granulated sugar, approximately 1 1/2 cups
• 1 cup light corn syrup (Karo or generic)
  
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (optional-I didn't use it because I didn't have any)
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or peppermint)
  
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• Nonstick spray

**red gel food coloring

Directions

Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the water. Have the whisk attachment standing by.

In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.

Turn the mixture on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans as follows.

Lightly spray an 8x8 pan with cooking or baking spray and dust with powdered sugar, tapping out the excess.

With a greased spatula, scoop mixture into pan and flatten out the top the best you can. **For the peppermint marshmallows, drop about 7 drops of red gel food coloring on top and swirl into marshmallows with a knife**. Let marshmallow mixture set and cool for at least 4 hours.

After 4 hours, turn out mixture onto a heavily powdered sugared surface. With a greased knife, cut marshmallows into 1 inch squares (they will be 2 inches tall in the 8x8 pan so you'll have to cut them half), making sure to dust each side with powdered sugar to prevent them from sticking to you, each other and any other surface they can find to stick to!

Stay tuned for chocolate dipped marshmallows coming soon to a foodie blog near you! :)

Enjoy!

e