Marshmallows

every-time i admit that i make my own marshmallows i get the same perplexed response. i'm not sure if its confusion about how i go upon do this or why i spend my time making something so cheap and readily available. but really if you every have a homemade marshmallow you will know why i do what i do - they are so good.

i had decided one day that i was determined to make a "healthy" version of rice krispy treats to mail to josh (when he was in vegas) and so i decided i just couldn't bear to buy one of those strange bags of what seemed to be a vacuum packed pillow. are these bags vacuum packed or is it just me?

so i knew i was going to have to make marshmallows. and heres what i ended up with. i am listing just the basic recipe for these little guys but the new favorite treat around my apt. is to cut them into little pieces and cover in dark chocolate. the become seriously addictive.

MARSHMALLOWS

3 pks unflavored gelatin

1c ice cold water

1 1/2c sugar

1c light corn syrup

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4c powdered sugar

1/4c cornstarch

*combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch in a bowl

*lightly grease a 9 x 13 x 2 pan and "flour" with half of the powdered sugar mixture

*place gelatin in a bowl with 1/2c of the water, mix to combine

*in a small saucepan combine 1/2c water, sugar, corn syrup and the salt. stir to combine

*cover and cook the sugar mixture on medium high heat for 3-4 minutes

*uncover and raise to high heat. insert your candy thermometer and boil the mixture to exactly 240 F

* remove from heat immediately and pour into the same bowl that has the waiting gelatin mixture

* beat with a handheld mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until it becomes stiff (and well looks like marshmallow fluff)

*about one minute before you are done whipping add in the vanilla and beat for the remaining time

*pour the fluff into the prepared pan and dust the top with the remaining powdered sugar mixture

*let rest for at least 4 hours

*turn out onto to a sheet of wax paper and cut with a pizza cutter

*dust the cut pieces with any remaining / access powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture

*at this point i like to mix dutch cocoa powder and powdered sugar together to dust all over these

***as you can see in the picture i love to coat these in dark chocolate. Just freeze the cut pieces before you dip them and make sure the dipping chocolate is not molten hot - marshmallows do melt ****