Puffy clouds of heaven.....Marshmallows!!!!!

I know, everyone is asking...what would possess someone to make homemade marshmallows??? I would probably ask the same thing due to my dislike of the dessert. However, I do LOVE them mixed with the appropriate amounts of rice cereal and made into little rock-like squares of delight. Basically, I came across pictures of these fluffy, white, "honey, I shrunk the kids" pillows of sugary fabulousness and I just couldn't resist.

So here, the adventure of homemade marshmallows begins....

Homemade Marshmallows
Recipe, found on the internet, altered from my own experience.

1 cup water, divided
2 packets unflavored gelatin
2 cups white sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1/3 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar*, divided
wax paper or aluminum foil
Butter or cooking spray**

*I started with 2 cups and didn't use most of it. You can always add more if needed.
**I used cooking spray.


Line a 13x9 baking dish with aluminum foil (or wax paper), spray liberally with cooking spray and lightly coat with 1/4-1/3 powdered sugar (no need to be perfect.)

Put 1/2 c cold water and both gelatin packets in standing mixer and leave it alone while you warm the sugars.

In a heavy bottom pot, combine 1/2 c water, white sugar, salt, and corn syrup. Bring to a rolling boil (bubbles) and boil for approx. 1 minute (needs to reach 238 degrees but I didnt have an appropriate candy thermometer so just use 1 minute as a gauge.)

Pour sugar mixture, while hot (BE CAREFUL!) into standing mixer with gelatin/water. Add Vanilla. Whip on high setting for 10-15 minutes (took me 15 minutes) until stiff peaks form.



























Pour mixture into baking sheet. Coat the top with another 1/4-1/3 c powdered sugar. Place in freezer for 8-10 hours (I did not wait 8 hours, I only waited 6 hrs and I think it was fine so just let it have some time to rest.)


Flip onto cutting board, cut into squares, dredge in left over powdered sugar so covered on all sides. ENJOY! I believe they will last longer if kept in closed lid in fridge....

I forgot to take pics at every step....bare with me as I get used to this "blogging" thing...