Homemade Marshmallows!

Yesterday I posted my recipe for Perfectly Creamy Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix.
Today I'm gonna show you how to take it over the top!

The perfect Hot Cocoa deserves to be topped with a perfect Homemade Marshmallow!
Not one of those plastic-tasting store-bought gummy things.

Homemade marshmallows are silky, light, fluffy, perfection, and they are NOT hard to make!
You'll never want another store-bought marshmallow again!


Dana's Homemade Marshmallows

Ingredients

• 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin (I use Knox Brand)
  
• 3 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• Water
• Electric Mixer with whisk attachment (LOVE My Kitchen-aid for this!)
  

Directions

Put sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 3/4 cup water into a medium saucepan.
Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
Boil (rolling boil) without stirring, For one full minute, or until mixture registers 238 degrees on a candy thermometer.

Meanwhile, put 3/4 cup cold water into the bowl of your electric mixer;
sprinkle gelatin into the water.
Let sit to soften for 5 minutes.

Slowly pour hot sugar syrup into the gelatin mixture with the mixer on low speed.
Gradually raise the speed to high.
Beat for approx 6 minutes,
Slowly add vanilla extract.
Beat on high for another 5-6 minutes, until very stiff peaks form.
(approx 10-12 min total whipping time)

Pour and spread into a greased 9 x 13 pan.
allow to sit uncovered for approx three hours until they firm up.
(I often just leave it out overnight)

Sprinkle powdered sugar onto your work surface,
un-mold your marshmallow slab onto the powdered sugar.
Cut into squares or use decorative cookie cutters thoroughly coated in powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
Coat each marshmallow with powdered sugar and store in an air-tight container up to one week.

Extras!!


add a little peppermint oil during the last 3 minutes of beating for peppermint marshmallows!
Add a little cocoa powder during the last half of beating for chocolate marshmallows!
Use sprinkles!
use nuts!
Use coconut.
Use Your Imagination!

*Attach a baggie of homemade marshmallows to a mug of hot chocolate mix for a GREAT teachers gift!*

Enjoy!