Homemade marshmallows

Homemade marshmallows are one of those things I've always wanted to try and make.  I saw a segment about them on the Martha Stewart show about 12 years ago and saved the recipe but have always been too chicken/lazy to make them.

After seeing tons of blogs feature homemade marshmallows in the past year or two, I finally decided to get with the program and make these myself. Since I normally make peppermint bark and homemade caramels for holiday treats every year, I decided to hold out and make marshmallows for Valentine's Day instead. I'm planning to package them with homemade hot chocolate mix (post coming soon). 

I actually decided to go with Alton Brown's recipe rather than Martha's because I trust the man who knows all the science behind food - especially candy. Not that Martha's wouldn't be lovely too, but maybe I'll try her version sometime down the road.

Who knew that making your own marshmallows could be this easy? The resulting treat is fluffy and not overly sweet. These would be absolutely perfect for s'mores!

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

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 mixer 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:

Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray (I lined my pan with parchment paper and skipped the nonstick cooking spray; although next time I am using the nonstick spray and coating the entire pan because the marshmallows stuck to the parchment paper.). Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.

When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Dust the top with enough of the remaining 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.

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, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Source:  Alton Brown, via the Food Network website

Homemade marshmallows are one of those things I've always wanted to try and make.  I saw a segment about them on the Martha Stewart show about 12 years ago and saved the recipe but have always been too chicken/lazy to make them.

After seeing tons of blogs feature homemade marshmallows in the past year or two, I finally decided to get with the program and make these myself. Since I normally make peppermint bark and homemade caramels for holiday treats every year, I decided to hold out and make marshmallows for Valentine's Day instead. I'm planning to package them with homemade hot chocolate mix (post coming soon). 

I actually decided to go with Alton Brown's recipe rather than Martha's because I trust the man who knows all the science behind food - especially candy. Not that Martha's wouldn't be lovely too, but maybe I'll try her version sometime down the road.

Who knew that making your own marshmallows could be this easy? The resulting treat is fluffy and not overly sweet. These would be absolutely perfect for s'mores!

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

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 mixer 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:

Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray (I lined my pan with parchment paper and skipped the nonstick cooking spray; although next time I am using the nonstick spray and coating the entire pan because the marshmallows stuck to the parchment paper.). Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.

When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Dust the top with enough of the remaining 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.

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, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Source:  Alton Brown, via the Food Network website