January 5, 2011

Marshmallows. Period.

 How has your January been so far?
You know what I did?
I cleaned out my pantry!
While I am sure that's not big news to you, for me, it's HUGE!
I hated every second of cleaning it out, but I will tell you that I discovered a few curious things about myself.
Apparently, I am a bit of a hoarder.
Not your average hoarder, mind you...
I am a very specific hoarder.
I unearthed 15 boxes of chocolate pudding, 7 jars of hoisin sauce, 5 jars of pearl onions and 9 boxes of Knox Gelatin.
I am weird.
7 jars of Hoisin sauce?  Weird.
So, anyway I decided to put my hoarding to use today...now that my pantry is cleaned out...by getting busy with some of that gelatin.
(I remember when I was little my grandma told me to drink it to make my nails stronger.  Uhhh, not so much.  Gag.)
Since my nails are ok I decided that the next best thing would be to make marshmallows.  Because that's the logical next step, right?
If you haven't ever made your own marshmallows DO IT NOW!
They are so easy and totally yummy.
Trust me, I am big time scared of the candy thermometer, but you won't mess it up.  I pinky swear.
 recipe adapted from Martha 
4 envelopes unflavored gelatin
3 cups granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 cups water divided

Spray 9x13 lightly with cooking spray
line the pan with parchment coming up the sides (at least 2 inches) on each end.
Spray the parchment lightly with cooking spray.
 Put granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 3/4 cup water into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Without stirring, continue to cook syrup until mixture registers 238° on a candy thermometer, between 7-9 minutes.
  While the syrup is boiling pour 3/4 cup water into bowl of stand mixer.  Sprinkle the gelatin on the water and let it sit 5 minutes so gelatin softens.
When sugar syrup comes to a boil slowly pour the  hot syrup into the gelatin.  
 With the whisk attachment on the mixer beat on high for 12 minutes until marshmallow is very stiff.
 Add vanilla and beat for 1 more minute.
Pour marshmallow into prepared pan and spread with a spatula.  It will be VERY sticky!
Let sit for at least 3 hours uncovered.
 When you're ready sift 1 cup powdered sugar onto work space.
 Remove the marshmallow from pan onto sugared counter.
 Using a VERY SHARP knife cut the marshmallow into squares.
(You might find it helpful to spray knife with cooking spray)
 For plain marshmallows sift remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar into a bowl and coat each cut marshmallow with sugar.
Will store airtight for up to a week.

NOW...if you're not about plain marshmallows, let's have some fun...
I combined 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and instead of rolling the cut marshmallows in powdered sugar I rolled them in the cinnamon sugar...YUM!
and these I rolled in a combination of 1/4 cup cocoa powder and 1/4 cup powdered sugar.
These would be great in hot chocolate...
ok, now I got a little crazy.
I melted some white chocolate and dipped in sprinkles...
 mini chips...
hearts for Valentines :)
Crushed Oreos, because that's completely necessary.
 I heated up some peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds and dipped the marshmallow in...then I dipped it in the white chocolate.  Hell yes I did.
...and finally the genius idea (that was 100% not mine) of dipping the marshmallow in chocolate and then crushed graham crackers for an instant S'more.  High five to whoever thought that up!
 So here you go...a smorgasbord  of marshmallow to help your 2011 get off to a great start.
 I'm pretty sure it's impossible to not be happy when you're eating a marshmallow.
Yep..completely impossible.

54 comments:

Marie @ Myculinarycalling said...

Yum! My sister and I made homemade marshmellows at christmas time! So easy and so yummy! Peanut butter dipped? Oh yum!

Anonymous said...

Been trying to try making my own. I love your step by step! Can't wait to try them.

Sugar Swings said...

Awesome!

Kori said...

Wow, so many fun ideas! I love how you dipped some in PB and also added some V-Day sprinkles! Holiday goodies are just so much fun. Thanks for laying out the step-by-step process...I'm excited to try these sometime.

Megan said...

This is awesome! I will definitely be trying this soon! :D

Linda McCubbin said...

Cinnamon marshmallow, peanut butter white chocolate marshmallow, Mmmmm the marshmallowy yumminess is never ending.

April said...

I've been wanting to make marshmallows for some time now and I think this may have just sent me over the edge!

Melody said...

Gotta try this! Why did you post this when I am trying not to make so many sweets! :)

cocoa and coconut said...

Wow I think homemade marshamallows would be way better than normal shop-bought stuff. I think I'll give this a go..we love them!

And well done for cleaning out your cupboard! I always find an assortment of lost jars or sauces in there too

Jocelyn said...

so many fun variations for your marshmallows...i have been wanting to try homemade marshmallows. now i really want to try them:-)

cocoa and coconut said...

Ps. How much in grams to you think the gelatine sachets are? I only have powdered gelatine..would that work?

Ryan said...

Ohhh, those look delicious! And so cute! Do they taste much different from store bought ones?
Yay for cleaning out the pantry! I need to do that, but I'm a bit scared of what I'll find xD I'm pretty sure we have some cans that expired in 05... pretttyyy scary stuff :P

Luv2Teach said...

I have always wanted to make these but was totally intimidated. Your step-by-step has taken that intimidation away. I'm so trying this now! Thanks!

Mara Campbell said...

How fun are those!!! I love the marshmallow tutorial, looks like something that I possibly might tackle. Maybe. Love the smores combo!

Tiffiny Felix said...

One of my most favorite things is chocolate-dipped marshmallows, and I'm appalled I've never made my own. I absolutely must fix that. Thanks for such a fun post :)

Holly said...

Yum!!! I made Martha's recipe too!! Loved it and will be making them again-I love all your awesome additions to yours:) Instant S'more-total genius!!!!
Oh and I admire you for the clean pantry...I still {ugh} have to get that done{ugh, ugh}!!!

Sue said...

I made some homemade marshmallows ONCE, but they weren't nearly as fun and fabulous as yours!

Lish said...

OMG! These look so delicious - I love all the different finishes you did to them - I think I need an crushed Oreo marshmallow right now!

Butter Hearts Sugar said...

Wow, I cleaned and sorted out my pantry too! everything is in new matching containers, stacked and labelled. Your marshmallows look fantastic, I love the marshmallow pop idea. such fun pictures.

Caroline said...

I love making marshmallows! These are beautiful, mine are typically a little more 'ragged' around the edges. I'll have to make the oreo-covered one... and then eat them. Delicious!

Anonymous said...

I might try it! I live in mortal fear of the candy thermometer! Quit inspiring me already!
Would the dental floss trick work? Cutting them with plain dental floss or fishing line?

Trainer T.s Fitness said...

Your always great with direction and pictures.
I so want to eat them all, but then I saw the PB and you got me hooked.

How about Chocolate flavored PB too, its fabulous like Nuttella but not so bad for you.

You RAWK!

Erin said...

These look absolutely delicious! I've been too afraid to make my own marshmallows. They look hard. But these look so yummy I might have to try!

Anonymous said...

this looks so pretty..really love the step by step pics too! nicely done:) thanks for sharing this and have a great day.

Cookbook Queen said...

I am especially LOVING the hot chocolate marshmallow!!

Wouldn't you know it, but I just happen to have several unopened boxes of gelatin in my cupboard.

Weird...I know. Great minds, I guess!! ;)

My Kids Make said...

yum yum. i made some of these with my kids and the LOVED making them (and eating them). The sticks make it perfect for dunking in hot cocoa

http://mykidsmake.com/2010/12/bake/chocolate-covered-marshmallow-pops/

Erika Beth, the Messy Chef said...

"nekkid" marshmallows = lol. These look so fun to make!

Patti said...

haha..fort Knox was in your pantry.I have never tried homemade marshmallows. I need to try them. Makes me wish I hoarded unflavored gelatin. I think it's something going onto my baking/cooking bucket list...the making of marshmallows not the hoarding of gelatin. LOL

erica said...

Oh my word how amazing do these look. Love them!

xo

Manni said...

Yum!! how amazing. I have to find a way to make these but without the gelatin!!

Debbie said...

I love how you call them "Nekkid Marshmallows" too cute! I wish I could reach right through the screen and try that smores marshmallow!

Monet said...

You and this post are just too adorable! I loved the "sift" picture. So cute! Ryan adores marshmallows, and I know he would be tickled pink if I made a batch for him. Thank you for sharing this tasty recipe with me. Sweet dreams, my friend!

cookies and cups said...

Les rêves d'une boulangère ~ Just wanted to let you know that according to Martha 4 packets equals 3 Tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons.
Hope that helps!

Val said...

If I could live off of Marshmallows alone, I would. These look divine.

Summer said...

WOW! These look incredible! I'm going to have to try the Peanut Butter one:) I love your blog! You have so many great things on here!!

Lorraine said...

I have always wanted to make marshmallows but have been too afraid. Thanks for the pics and excellent instruction. I would not even attempt them without that. Yours look amazing.

Seven jars of hoisin sauce...lol That is funny. You must have been meaning to make a lot of stir frys:)

Diane Schmidt said...

they look great, I have them on my list of items to make for this year :) thanks for making it look doable!

grace said...

is there such a thing as an average hoarder? i guess so. we have both extremes and then we have those of us on the middle ground...
regardless, i love your fluffy marshmallows! :)

Lindsay said...

Wow. I have never made my own marshmellows but thank you for the amazing step-by-step! This is now on my to-do list.

Di said...

Mine are beating as I type and I can't quit sampling already. I'm in love! Thanks for hte step-by-step.

Peggy said...

I made marshmallows once, but they weren't nearly as unique and arrayed as yours are! Too cute!

Anonymous said...

These look so amazing! I tried Marshmallows once...years and years ago and they've been on my to do list to try again! mmmmm oreo marshmallows on a stick...I will dream of these tonight!

Leslie said...

HOmemade marshmallows ROCK! All of your variations look scrumptious. I am a pantry hoarder too

Tracy said...

Love this! I've never made my own marshmallows, but your post makes it look totally doable. Thanks for the inspiration!! :-)

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Been there...done them! :) I'm not much for them plain but I do like 'em fancified.
~ingrid

Whimsy Cookie Co. said...

oh...I want to make these sometime this year!! Thanks for sharing..they are precious for Valentines!!

doughmesstic said...

I have never made marshmallows. I've always wanted to, though. Now I HAVE to. These will be perfect for Valentines day! Thank you for the step by step and for showing all of your clever flavor combos...I stumbled this post for you, too - it's too fantastic!

Anonymous said...

I love your photos of how to make marshmallows. I'm really into marshmallows right now but i have never made them. This makes it seem less scary than what I thought it would be.

Unknown said...

Those look great. I wanted to try it so bad for christmas but I didn't have time.

Monica H said...

Marshmallow fun! I made some last year and dipped them in chocolate and graham cracker crumbs. Yes, they are delish!

Posti4 said...

the pictures really help! Thanks looks yummy. And the food pantry could always use some Hoisin sauce or pudding!

Becki D said...

Howdy again! I made these for my girl's 2nd birthday party - HUGE HIT. I made the smores version, and they were so yummy - plus everyone was incredibly impressed that I made my own marshmallows (who knew it was so easy?!) soo - as usual - thanks for sharing!!

Audrey @ Sweet Cheeks said...

I've been wanting to make homemade marshmallows for awhile now...you just gave me the final push I needed! FAB ideas...they all look delish!

The Cookie Cutter said...

These were awesome! And super easy too. I posted a link in my blog: http://jaclynscookies.blogspot.com/2011/05/marshmallows.html

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