There I was last Friday, stuck at home, waiting for the snow, wondering what to do with myself. Of course there was knitting. And some reading, too. But. I was aching to do something else. Hmmm. What to do . . . what to do . . . ?
And then inspiration struck! Make homemade marshmallows! They’ve only been on my to-do list since 2012, after all.
I did a quick peruse of Pinterest and a more extensive google search and I finally settled on Alton Brown’s Homemade Marshmallows as the one to try. It was actually quite simple.
First you soften your unflavored gelatin with some cold water.
While that’s softening up you boil some sugar and corn syrup together until it reaches 240° on a candy thermometer.
Pour that sugar syrup into the gelatin and beat, beat, beat until the mixture is thick and glossy.
Spread that into a pan you have coated with a mixture of powdered sugar and corn starch.
Then comes the hard part. You have to wait and wait and wait until they set up. I will confess that we snipped off a corner before too long, just to give them a try. Oh my. Then we showed some restraint and we left them alone overnight.
On Saturday, though, when everyone else was outside shoveling, I got to work cutting them into squares. I made some homemade hot chocolate and when the troops came inside I handed them each a mug topped with a couple of little bundles of sugary love.
Was it a lot of work? Not at all. Was it sticky and messy? Yes, a bit. But it was all worth it for the smiles I got in return for my efforts.
P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day, I love y’all!
Oh, my! I am not a fan of the marshmallow . . . generally. But I think THOSE marshmallows look FABULOUS. What a perfect Snow Day treat! Mmmmmm.
Sounds like the perfect accompaniment for the end of the shoveling.
Fantastic! Looks like a lot of fun!
I think those were the perfect cure for the shoveling blues! Not generally a marshmallow eater, but I just might have to try those.
I’ve had the gelatin hanging around for a while to try those. The look terrific Carole!
REAL marshmellows would be so yummy and I’ll bet the melt beautifully into the chocolate! yum
I finally got around to making these for last Christmas. We were having chocolate fondue and thought they’d be good dippers. We all had one or two and immediately recalled that “These are pretty good, but I don’t really like marshmallows.” LOL Still glad I tried the project though.
Oh Lordie, I do love marshmallows (wonder where that name comes from?) but I don’t have a stand mixer so I’ll pass on making them at home.
Yum. Did you have trouble cutting them?
Last year (around Valentines Day) Caribou Coffee was offering packages of marshmallows dipped in white chocolate and then a few red/pink/white sprinkles were sprinkled on . I sent some in a college care package to my DD. She loved them so I looked for them this year but couldn’t find them. I suppose I could have made them….. but I just didn’t get out and get the white melting chocolate.
Looks like a fun project. Do they taste different than commercial marshmellows? Dale looks like a happy camper.
What a wonderful snow day activity, Carole! I’ve always wanted to try making my own marshmellows, but DH won’t eat gelatin and I don’t want a whole batch to myself so I haven’t given it a try yet.
That last photo is perfect. Just perfect! Thanks for sharing.
You know how to do it right, Carole!
Your step-by-step photos were terrific too!
Those look great and your pictures are perfect. I’m taking the GS Troop camping this weekend and suddenly I’m wondering how smaores made with homemade marshmallows would be. But that’s just nuts – right?
Homemade marshmallows are awesome. I haven’t made them yet, but the recipe I plan to start with are for chocolate chipotle ones from Homesick Texan (http://homesicktexan.blogspot.com/2009/12/cinnamon-chocolate-marshmallows-recipe.html). I’ve had these in my list since almost 2009.
Hillary, yes, that IS nuts…
Carole, I can just imagine the delight when this treat got passed around…It’s such a wonderful feeling when you know you’re loved.
My son’s girlfriend made homemade marshmallows and gave them to my husband for his 60th birthday just before Christmas! Oh, were they ever the best thing!! I imagine your crew was delighted to get them in their hot chocolate.
homemade marshmallows are the best!
wow! never considered making marshmalows as i thought it would be a horrible pain but you make it look so easy (other than the waiting part 😉 ). will have to trythese one day. thanks