Feeling Festive: Homemade Marshmallows

Ok, so I feel like I might be just a wee bit early with this marshmallow post, but since Halloween is over and there are Christmas trees up in CVS I'm going to give myself a free pass!

Thanksgiving is only a week away.  This month is going by crazy fast.  Are you ready?  Last week Channelling Contessa gave some great tips on getting ready for Thanksgiving.  One tip that struck me was make your pie dough ahead of time and freeze it.  So simple, right!  Then when it's time to make a pie, your dough is already made.  I love that.  I'm thinking about doing it with cookie dough too. She also suggested stocking up on the essentials (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, etc) before the baking-extravaganza begins.  No need to make extra trips to the store with flour in your hair if you don't need to.  Check out her list (here).  This girl knows what she's talking about! : )

I am so excited for Thanksgiving!  Not only is Thanksgiving is my favorite meal (I have it on my birthday in July!) but it's also the kickoff to the Christmas season!  And with a five year old in the house Christmas gets more exciting every year.  It also gets more expensive, but that's a topic for another day.  Today I want to talk marshmallows! I've seen them made on blogs before and have always wanted to try them.  Hot chocolate with marshmallows is a staple in my house in the winter and what could be better than homemade marshmallows, right?  I couldn't believe how easy it was.   This is all you need... (forgive my lighting situation - it was very early in the morning and the sun was coming up...: )

(recipe from Family Circle magazine Dec12)

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
2 envelopes (.25 oz each) unflavored gelatin
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp vanilla

Sift confectioners' sugar and cornstarch into a small bowl. 

Line a 9x9x2 inch pan with foil.  Coat with non-stick spray.  Sift 2 tbsp of confectioners' sugar mixture into the pan, tilting to coat sides.  Leave any excess in pan.

 

Place 2/3 cup water in a large bowl and sprinkle with gelatin.  Let sit for 5 minutes.

 

 

Combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a medium saucepan.  Cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. 

 

Add into bowl with gelatin.  Beat on high speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy - about 12 minutes. 

{early morning marshmallow making....}

Add vanilla during this process. 

Spread into prepared pan and smooth top.  Dust with 2 tbsp of confectioners' sugar mixture.  Let stand 2 hrs to set. 

Lift marshmallow from pan with foil.  With a wet knife (use hot water) cut into four squares.

Cut each square into 12 pieces.

Toss marshmallows in sugar mixture and let stand 1 hour. 

Store in an air tight container at room temperature. 

Tie a big red bow around this jar and you've got yourself a perfect hostess gift! So cute~

Toss as many as you want into a steaming mug of hot chocolate. 

This one is for you! : )

After a while look what happens..... Melty-gooey-marshmallow fluff! Just the thing to warm the bones on a cold day! And some Bailys Irish creme in that mug and make it a party.  Just a thought.

Enjoy this week before Thanksgiving!  Happy baking everyone!  Oh, and don't forget to dig out those eleastic waist pants.  You're gonna need them! 

Danielle xo