Homemade Marshmallows

When I told my friends and family that I was gonna make marshmallows, everyone's reaction was about the same.
"You can make marshmallows??"
Uhm, yeah.
I mean, not to sound like a smartass or anything but like, how do you think they exist in the first place? Yeah, the recipe itself might not be common knowledge to everyone, but still.
Actually, they are incredibly easy to make. They are the perfect "wow your friends" food. Who wouldn't love if you showed up with a batch of fresh marshmallows?
And these aren't like any old marshmallows oh noooooo. They are fluffy beyond belief, melt in your mouth vanilla-y goodness.
Need I say more?

Homemade Marshmallows

Makes one 9x9" pan

3 packets                  Knox powdered gelatin
1 cup                        water, divided
2 cups                       sugar
1/2 cup                     corn syrup
1 1/2 tbsp                 vanilla
1/2 tsp                      salt
2 cups                       icing sugar

In a large heatproof bowl, add 1/2 cup cold water. Sprinkle gelatin over and let it bloom for about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan add the rest of the water, sugar, and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, heat to soft ball stage, around 235 degrees. Remove from heat.
With a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, on medium to high speed, slowly pour the hot syrup down the side of the bowl with the gelatin. Whip for another 12 minutes on high until it has tripled in volume and is thick. Add the vanilla and salt, briefly mix until just combined.
Transfer into greased pan and smooth out top. Let it set for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Once set, dust the top with icing sugar so that it is less sticky. Turn out onto tray and cut into cubes, making sure to coat all the sides of the cubes in icing sugar.
Store in airtight container, good for about 3-4 days. Enjoy!

I actually made these because it was my birthday on Tuesday and I needed something to bring to class. They were a huge hit! Way more interesting and fun than regular old cupcakes. Marshmallows are the new cupcakes.
Plus, there are so many different flavour combos that you can do with marshmallows. Peppermint, chocolate, citrus, berry, etc. You can even throw some sprinkles on before they finish setting!
With all these possibilities I will definitely have to make these again sometime.

Cheers,

Elanne Boake