Marshmallows

Yes, I do make my own, marshmallows! It's a great activity to do with your kids. I allow them to put the ingredients in the pan, but not the cooking part. Once they are cooled and ready to be cut the the little ones can help again. They can help roll them in the powdered sugar.



MARSHMALLOWS

Ingredients:
*4 envelopes unflavored gelatin
*3/4 cup water
*3 cups granulated sugar
*1 1/4 cups corn syrup
*1/4 teaspoon salt
*3/4 cup water
*2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
*1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
*1/2 cup corn starch

Directions:
~Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray.
~Line pan with parchment paper.
~Spray parchment paper with cooking spray.
~In a medium saucepan combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt & 3/4 cup water.
~Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
~Continue to cook until syrup mixture reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer, without stirring.
~While the syrup is cooking put 3/4 cup water into a large mixing bowl.
~Sprinkle the gelatin on the water, but do not mix.
~Let it sit for 5-6 minutes.
~Once syrup has reached it's desired temperature, slowly pour the hot syrup into the gelatin.
~Start out stirring very slowly until the gelatin is dissolved.
~Use a whisk attachment of your mixer and slowly bring the mixture up to high speed.
~Mix for 12-14 minutes, or until  marshmallow mixture is stiff.
~Add vanilla and beat for 2 more minutes.
~Spray cooking spray on a spatula.
~Pour marshmallow mixture into prepared pan and spread with spatula.
~Let marshmallow mixture sit for at least 4 hours uncovered.
~Stift powered sugar and corn starch together onto clean surface.
~Remove marshmallows from pan and onto powered sugar mixture.
~Using a knife or pizza cutter dipped in sugar mixture, cut marshmallows into desired size.
~Roll cut marshmallows into powdered sugar mixture until all sides are coated.
~Shake off any excess sugar and serve.

Variations:
-dip in cinnamon sugar mixture instead of powdered sugar mixture.
-dip in cocoas powder instead of powdered sugar mixtures.
-after dipping in powdered sugar mixture, dip in melted chocolate, let set until chocolate hardens.
-after dipping in powdered sugar mixture, dip in chocolate & crushed graham crackers, let set until chocolate hardens.
-after dipping in powdered sugar mixture, dip in chocolate & nuts, let sit until chocolate hardens.
-after dipping in powdered sugar mixture, dip in melted peanut butter and then melted chocolate, let sit until chocolate hardens.
-after dipping in powdered sugar mixture, dip in chocolate & then  crushed oreos, let sit until chocolate hardens.
-after dipping in powdered sugar mixture, dip in melted white chocolate & then sprinkles, let sit until chocolate hardens.