Monday, December 7, 2009

Homemade Marshmallows!

I was sick for about 3 weeks- hence the lack of posting- plus that whole Thanksgiving thing... needless to say, life has been pretty busy!


Tonight I begin my baking adventures with homemade marshmallows.  Thanks to Martha Stewart I found an extremely easy recipe!

Ingredients included:
Vegetable oil, for brushing
4 envelopes unflavored gelatin (3 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons)
3 cups granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
My Tweak to Martha's Recipe: Flavored Concentrated Extracts- Eggnong and Cinnamon Roll

Steps:
1.Brush a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with oil. Line with parchment, allowing a 2-inch overhang on the long sides. Brush parchment with oil; set aside.


2.Put granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 3/4 cup water into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Cook, without stirring, until mixture registers 238 degrees.on a candy thermometer, about 9 minutes.

3.Meanwhile, put 3/4 cup cold water into the bowl of an electric mixer; sprinkle with gelatin. Let soften 5 minutes.

4.Attach bowl with gelatin to mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. With mixer on low speed, beat hot syrup into gelatin mixture. Gradually raise speed to high; beat until mixture is very stiff, about 12 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Pour into prepared dish, and smooth with an offset spatula. Set aside, uncovered, until firm, about 3 hours.

5.Sift 1 cup confectioners' sugar onto a work surface. Unmold marshmallow onto confectioners' sugar; remove parchment. Lightly brush a sharp knife with oil, then cut marshmallow into 2-inch squares. Sift remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar into a small bowl, and roll each marshmallow in the sugar to coat. Marshmallows can be stored in an airtight container up to 3 days.
 
6. My addition to Martha's Recipe: Cut the marshmallows with various miniature holiday-shaped cookie cutters. Scatter sprinkles, drizzle chocolate or use any type of holiday-themed decoration you want to add a festive look and taste to your homemade marshmallows!

No comments: