How To Make Your Own Marshmallows

I know, most people probably think why bother to make your own marshmallows when you can buy a big bag at the supermarket. But let me tell you, there is such a difference in the taste and the consistency of homemade versus store-bought marshmallows.  They are two different creatures. And once you’ve had homemade marshmallows, you’ll never buy them at the supermarket again…unless you’re making s’mores and then it doesn’t matter. But if you want a delectable cloud like snack, charming gift, or the best possible marshmallows for hot chocolate, these are it!

Marshmallows aren’t hard to make, but there are a few steps. And it makes sense to get everything you need to make them together before you start. Some of the ingredients, like gelatin, light corn syrup and confectioner’s sugar, you may not have around the house, so you do need to plan in advance. You also need a candy thermometer – I bought an inexpensive one at A.C. Moore.  I use my KitchenAid stand mixer to make the marshmallows. If you don’t have one, electric beaters can certainly be used instead.

Place 3 packets of gelatin in the bowl of a stand mixer or in a mixing bowl with 1/2 cup of ice water. You do this so the gelatin can “bloom” or get activated.

In a small sauce pan, combine 1/2 cup of ice water, 1 and 1/2 cups of granulated sugar, 1 cup of light corn syrup, 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt. Turn the heat to medium, cover and let it cook for 3-4 minutes. Then, take off the cover, clip the candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and cook till the thermometer registers 240 degrees F. This could take about 7-8 minutes. Once it reaches 240, shut off the heat.

Turn your mixer to low, and add the mixture from the saucepan by pouring it down the side of the mixing bowl. Once added, turn the mixer to high and beat for about 12-15 minutes till the mixture thickens, cools a bit, and starts to look like marshmallow fluff. Mine whipped up quite quickly, but I left the mixer on for 12 minutes. A minute before you shut off the mixer, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

While the mixture is being beaten as above, prepare the pan. Whisk together 1/4 cup each of confectioner’s sugar and cornstarch.

Spray a 13 x 9 inch metal baking pan with cooking spray and then add about half of the confectioner’s sugar/cornstarch mixture to coat the bottom and sides of the baking pan.

Pour or scoop the whipped marshmallow mixture (this is thick, sticky stuff!) into the prepared pan and smooth it out  as best you can with an offset spatula (they work best if you happen to have one) coated lightly with cooking spray.

Dust the top with some of the cornstarch/sugar mixture, and let it sit for between 4 hours or overnight.

Once the mixture has set, turn out the marshmallow rectangle onto a cutting board. Use a pizza cutter or a carving knife to cut the marshmallows into one inch squares.

Dust them all around with the cornstarch/confectioner’s sugar mixture to keep them from sticking.

Store in an air-tight container for up to 3 weeks.

Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• 3 packets of gelatin (4 packets come in the box that I buy)
• 1 cup ice water
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• non-stick cooking spray

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add 1/2 cup of ice water and sprinkle 3 packets of gelatin over the ice water.
2. In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of ice water, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup of light corn syrup, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes over medium heat. Remove cover and clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and continue to cook till the thermometer reads 240 degrees F about 7-8 minutes.
3. When the stove mixture reaches 240 degrees, turn the mixer onto low and pour the mixture down the side of the mixing bowl. Then increase the speed to high. Whip the contents for 12-15 minutes till they thicken, cool slightly and look like marshmallow fluff. One minute before the end, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
4. While the mixture is being whipped, prepare the pan. Spray the bottom and sides with cooking spray. Then combine 1/4 cup each of confectioner’s sugar and cornstarch in a bowl, and use half of that to coat the bottom and sides of the pan.
5. When marshmallow is finished whipping, pour or scoop it into the prepared pan and smooth it with a spatula sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Dust the top with the confectioner’s sugar/cornstarch mixture.
6. Let the marshmallows sit for between 4 hours to overnight. Use either a pizza cutter or carving knife dusted with confectioner’s sugar/cornstarch mix to cut the marshmallows into 1 inch cubes. Dust all sides with the sugar/cornstarch mix to prevent them from sticking together. Store in an air-tight container for up to 3 weeks.

You can change up the flavor by adding peppermint flavoring instead of vanilla and putting crushed candy canes on top. Or dust the top with a cocoa/sugar mixture. Or change their color with natural food coloring. Use your imagination!

Enjoy them on their own or in hot chocolate! They make wonderful gifts.

 Have you ever had homemade marshmallows? Have you ever made them? Would you try it?

I’m thinking I’ll take a few days off for the holiday, but I’ll be back again soon or sooner if I have extra time. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, or just plain Happy Holidays!

Allison Cohen

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