I have often read posts about making marshmallows in your own kitchen. I decided to give it a try. I found that it was not as time consuming and messy as I thought it would be and the result was worth the effort. The homemade confection is much more fluffy and delicate than the chewy, store-bought marshmallows. The flavor is pure sweetness, not cloying sweet. These little guilty pleasures could be life changing.
I researched various recipes and decided that I would try the David Lebovitz recipe that you can view
here. There are just three steps:
1. Dissolve gelatin in water.
2. Bring water, sugar, and corn syrup to 245 degrees
3. Whip egg whites
Then all that is left is to combine these ingredients following directions.
A combination of cornstarch and powdered sugar are combined in a sieve and sifted over the surface where the marshmallow mixture will be set to dry. You can smooth the mixture over a sheet pan to cut later or drop individual mounds of marshmallow on a tray. Wait at least 4 hours or overnight before trying to cut the marshmallows. I found a pizza cutter to work the easiest. Alternatively, pipe the marshmallow mixture in very small dollops for mini-marshmallows.
Cut and dry marshmallows are coated in the cornstarch-sugar concoction. They look like fluffy, little pillows. Add food coloring to dye the marshmallows. Use cocoa powder in the sugar/cornstarch mixture or top with shredded coconut as alternatives.
A homemade marshmallow takes hot cocoa to a new level. Make this a grown up drink with a little coffee liquor or peppermint schnapps. Set up a hot cocoa bar for a party with various liquors and a bowl of marshmallows.
A mason jar of hot cocoa mix and a tin of homemade marshmallows wrapped creatively would be a most thoughtful gift.
Indulge in a s'more made with graham crackers, Nutella and a toasted, homemade marshmallow.
