Do you have recipes that every time you make them it makes you think about a friend or family member? Maybe you are making a family recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation. Or maybe it’s a dish that you enjoyed with a friend and you can’t make it without thinking about the years of friendship and memories that you share.
For me, every time I make these delicious homemade marshmallows, I think of Maddie. Maddie is one of the students in our youth group and she’s a student that spends lots of time with our family. Our bond really cemented during a road trip to a Lady Antebellum concert 2 years ago. Currey was in a music video she created, wearing rolled jean shorts with cowboy boots, and I filmed the majority of the video. I think she realized how much we love her through that experience! She’s funny and creative and has a heart and love for people that is beautiful and challenging to me. She invites herself to sit at our table and makes requests for the menu. Maddie understands that feeding people is how I show love and allows me to feed her often. And she raves about these marshmallows!
I wasn’t the lease bit surprised when she immediately responded to my tweet yesterday about marshmallows. She loves them I tell you! So much so that I make her bags full of them for Christmas and her birthday. It makes gift giving a breeze!
Homemade marshmallows are incredibly easy to make. You simply whip a melted sugar mixture with gelatin. The result is fluffy puffs of marshmallow. You can cut shapes using cookie cutters or make them more festive by sprinkling the tops with sprinkles.
Homemade marshmallows melt beautifully in a mug of hot chocolate and they are delicious to enjoy on their own. These marshmallows pair perfectly with hot chocolate for gift giving. They might become an annual tradition in your home too!
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
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
Nonstick spray
instructions
- Pour the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add 1/2 cup of the cold water. Fit the mixer with the whisk attachment in preparation of mixing marshmallows.
- In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place this mixture over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Uncover and insert a candy thermometer into the mixture. Continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees, which should take 8 to 10 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.
- Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once all of the syrup had been added 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.
- Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and turn the pans repeatedly to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.
- When finished whipping, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Lightly dust the top of the marshmallows with enough sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
- When ready to cut, turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioners' sugar mixture. Once cut, dip each side of each marshmallow with the remaining cornstarch and sugar mixture. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
Recipe from Alton Brown
It’s the day after Christmas and the cooking is done. We made a double batch of hot chocolate mix and a double batch of marshmallows for family Christmas presents. I experimented with powdered milk, but haven’t come up with the perfect ratio of mix and milk. Everyone says it is the best hot chocolate they have ever tasted!
Grace and Peace to you and your family!
Heidi, So glad that you enjoyed it! I’d agree that it’s the best hot chocolate that I’ve ever tasted too. Love that y’all made this. Wish we lived close enough to share a mug!
May your new year be filled with blessings!