Homemade marshmallows are a real treat. Your campfire s’mores never tasted so good!
MAKES: 16 to 24 marshmallows
PREP TIME: 30 minutes
COOKING TIME: about 10 minutes
SETTING TIME: at least 6 hours
INGREDIENTS:
- Icing sugar for dusting
- 1 cup cold water
- 3 envelopes (3 Tbsp) unflavoured powered gelatin
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup white corn syrup
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Grease an 8-inch square baking pan (for thick marshmallows) or a 13-x 9-inch baking pan (for thinner marshmallows). Dust the pan generously with icing sugar.
- Pour ½ cup of the water into a large bowl. Sprinkle with the gelatin. Set aside.
- In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the remaining ½ cup of water with the granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Hook a candy thermometer over the side of the saucepan. Increase the heat to medium-high. Cook, without stirring, until the candy thermometer registers 240ºF, about 10 minutes.
- Using an electric mixer on low speed, gradually beat the sugar mixture into the gelatin mixture, drizzling the sugar mixture in slowly. Gradually increase the speed to high and beat until the mixture is thick and very sticky, about 10 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract.
- Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan, spreading it level. Dust the top with icing sugar.
- Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature until the marshmallow is firm enough to cut, at least 6 hours or preferably overnight.
- Invert the pan onto a large cutting board and unmould the marshmallow. Grease a large knife or pizza wheel and cut 16 to 24 pieces.
- Toss the marshmallows in additional icing sugar to prevent them from sticking together. (The marshmallows can be stored in an airtight container, with parchment paper between the layers, for up to 1 month.)
BAKING DAY SECRETS
- Homemade marshmallows hate sticky summer weather, so avoid prepping these on especially humid days. The moisture in the air can affect the cooking time and even prevent the candy from setting properly.
