a marshmallow world in my winter

With the cold weather, my hot chocolate love has re-emerged.  Because nothing can cozy you inside & out like a mug of the good stuff.  As for toppings, I love whipped cream, but have never enjoyed marshmallows.  Until I made this homemade version and added a drop of peppermint, that is.It's too good not to share.

So make them tonight & enjoy them tomorrow. 

Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows

.75-oz unflavored gelatin (3 envelopes of Knox gelatin)
3/4 cup water, divided
2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cups light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp peppermint oil/extract

Line 9 x 9-inch pan with plastic wrap and lightly oil it. Set aside.  In the bowl of an electric mixer, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup water. Soak for about 10 minutes.

While the gelatin is soaking, combine sugar, corn syrup and remaining 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a full, rapid boil then boil hard for 1 minute.

Pour the boiling syrup into soaked gelatin and turn on the mixer, using the whisk attachment, to high speed. Add the salt and beat for 12 minutes. After 12 minutes, add in the vanilla and peppermint extracts and mix just until they are fully incorporated.

Scrape warm marshmallow into the prepared pan and spread evenly (lightly greasing your hands and the spatula helps a lot here). For red twirls, swirl red food coloring on top of mixture with a toothpick.  Take another piece of lightly oiled plastic wrap and press lightly on top of the marshmallow, creating a seal. Let mixture sit for a few hours, or overnight, until cooled and firmly set.

When the marshmallows are set, you can cut them up. I used kitchen scissors sprayed with a bit of Pam, and they worked perfectly well.  In a shallow dish, combine equal parts cornstarch and confectioners’ sugar. Remove marshmallow from pan and cut into pieces of desired size. Dredge each piece of marshmallow in confectioners’ sugar mixture.  Store in an airtight container.

For non-peppermint, regular marshmallows, simply omit the peppermint extract. 

And my Tips for heavenly Peppermint cocoa:  Make sure your water (or milk) is plenty hot so the marshmallows will start to dissolve and get blobby and lovely and spread their peppermint glory. I had a batch this morning for a brunch that was not hot and was not near as tasty as the cup I enjoyed tonight. Also, cut the marshmallows much smaller than in these pictures so they'll dissipate nicely into your chocolate.  If you like peppermint, that is.

Then find someone you love, lust, or merely adore.  Turn off all the lights except the Christmas tree.  And share.

Comments

[Barb]

I think making marshmallows is worth another try. Jaclyn would love the peppermint.

[jenny c.]

I am so glad you posted this recipe. I have been dying to try and make these. Thanks! It looks so yum!

[Neighbor Jane Payne]

. . . and then find someone you love, lust or adore . . . you have some great one-liners, Amy!

[michelle]

Oh oh oh.... I have wanted to try making homemade marshallows before, but I think yours might just push me to finally do it!

[Tiffany]

Yum! I've only tried making marshmallows once (years ago). These look luscious.

[Lucy]

Argh! I have Enrichment tonight and we are having a hot chocolate bar and these would have been perfect! Sadly, I don't have all the ingredients which means a trip to the store and I don't think I could have them cooled and ready by 5:30 (when I need to leave). I love the Williams and Sonoma once, though, and these look just as good. Excellent idea posting such a fun holiday treat.

[April]

Oh, thank you.

[Mandi]

I can attest to the fact that these were great (even though I got the AM version that didn't melt). People really freak out over the little homemade things like this -- and yet they're so easy. I love that you thought to make them!

[Jill]

Wow, homemade marshmallows, that's a new one to me. I am rather fixated on homemade hot chocolate ever since I made it for my RS book club last week. I put whipped cream in it and it was so creamy and good that I want to have it all the time.

[Kelly]

I was so happy to see you posted pictures! The food coloring swirled just fantastically! We will definitely be making these -- my girls will love it! And I love peppermint hot chocolate, so it's all good in my world!

[Marie]

That is one beautiful way to top a hot chocolate. Beauty.

[Shanon]

I loved them!! Thanks for sharing. I let Abby had one and then I had the rest in my hot chocolate a few times. She was mad but I enjoyed them too much!!

[carlo]

can i tell you how long i have wanted to make homemade marshmellows?? so long

your recipe will help but the intimidation factor is overwhelming...

the pics are enough to make me run out and get the ingredients to start this minute.

then i remember it is 4 degrees out (4!!!) so i will have to wait...

[shazbraz]

Hi! You don't know me; your hubby is my cousin. I check you blog once in awhile and think you have the cutest ideas. I made these marshmallows last night. YUM! And so easy! Thanks for sharing!

(and thanks for the pix--it was fun to be scrolling through someone's blog that I don't even know and see a picture of my wonderful Grandma Evelyn!)