If you’ve never had a fresh marshmallow, you have GOT to try this recipe. There’s no other way to describe these other than fluffy pillows of sweetness. I am now forever a store-bought marshmallow snob. Where have these yummy, homemade treats been my whole life?
I recently checked the ingredient list on the back of the popular brand of marshmallows you find in the grocery store. Here’s what I found.
Ingredients: CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, DEXTROSE, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, WATER, GELATIN, TETRASODIUM PYROPHOSPHATE (WHIPPING AID), ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, ARTIFICIAL COLOR (BLUE 1)
According to OSHA, tetrasodium pyrophosphate is slightly toxic and mildly irritating to humans. I don’t know about you but the last thing I want my marshmallows to be is irritating!
The Handbook of Industrial Chemistry says that Blue 1 is a synthetic dye made from petroleum. Yum!
And, I just shake my head at artificial flavors. Click here to read my post about “Vanilla vs. Vanillin.”
Ok, enough of my rant. On to the REAL marshmallow recipe.
I found a few recipes online and I’ve tried them. They were good but I tweaked the recipes a bit and found a flavor and texture I love.
Fluffy, Sweet, Soft, AMAZING Homemade Marshmallows
3 packages unflavored gelatin
1 cup ice cold water, divided
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon + a pinch salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
Directions:
Prepare a 13×9″ pan by spraying with nonstick spray and dusting with confectioner’s sugar and cornstarch. Reserve the remaining sugar/cornstarch mixture.
Empty gelatin into mixer bowl fitted with whisk attachment. Pour 1/2 cup of the water over the gelatin.
Stir 1/2 cup of water, sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook for a few minutes and attach a candy thermometer.
Side note about the thermometer – Don’t attempt this recipe without one! Sugar is a tricky little bugger. Alton Brown is the only person I know of who can actually look at heated sugar and know the exact stage. When I make caramels, even 2 degrees up or down can dramatically alter the finished product. So, just find a candy thermometer and start making lots of caramels and marshmallows!
If you’re the fancy schmancy type, there are digital candy thermometers.
However, I’ve only worked with the inexpensive, simple analog thermometer and have had fine results.
Once the mixture reaches 240F (almost 10 min), QUICKLY remove it from the heat and pour into the mixer with the gelatin. Turn the mixer on the lowest setting until the gelatin and sugar are combined.
Gradually increase the mixer speed to its highest setting until the mixture is unbelievably thick. This will take up to 15 minutes depending on the mixer. Add the vanilla and whip to combine.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.
Dust the top with confectioner’s sugar. Let it sit for 3 hours (I know, it’s a LONG time when you’re waiting for these beauties). The longer, the better.
Turn the mixture out onto a cutting board. …one that has been SERIOUSLY dusted with even more confectioner’s sugar and corn starch.
Prepare a bowl of several tablespoons of cornstarch and confectioner’s sugar. Set aside. Using a knife or metal cutter dusted with cornstarch or confectioner’s sugar, slice the marshmallows.
Chicago Metallic even makes a special Non-Stick Cutting Wheel just for slicing marshmallows.
Place individual marshmallows into the bowl and turn to coat. Store in a ziplock bag. Enjoy!
You can eat these in your hot cocoa, coffee, or make some homemade graham crackers for an ultimate batch of s’mores. They’re so rich and melt right in your mouth! I would have loved to know about this recipe before I made this mug of hot cocoa birthday cake.
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These look so appetizing and your pictures are fantastic. I could use these in a cookbook! Homemade marshmallows are on my list. I am not a big fan of commercial marshmallows but I hear these are incredible. My Daughter in law loves marshmallow so I should make them to show her I love her!
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Beautiful! I've never made marshmallows, but everyone says they're easy and delicious. Yours are really tempting me!
Hi Sarah…
Ohhh my goodness…your homemade marshmellows look heavenly! Okay, I must admit…I have never even thought about making marshmellows and…I have never known anyone who has made them…until now! hehe! I love the little fluffy white pockets of sweetness. In fact, I have a bad in my cupboard right now! I will have to give your recipe a try. I'm sure the store bought cannot compare to the homemade version! Thank you for sharing your recipe with us…Mmm…now I'm hungry for marshmellows! Hehe!
I also wanted to thank you for stopping by and taking a peek at my Autumn Enchantment table and mantel! I really enjoyed your visit and your sweet note! Thank you!!!
Warmest autumn wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design
So cool! I didn't know that you could even make marshmallows. LOL Thanks for stopping by Dragonfly Designs. Have a wonderfull day!
Thanks for sharing…these look incredible! Found you on Tators….
My hubby makes these for every Christmas! YUM! Ill have to ask him if his recipe to close to yours.
Hi Sarah…
So glad that you decided to share your recipe for homemade marshmellows with us for Sunday Favorites, my friend! Thank you!!! It really does look and sound sooo delicious!
Warmest autumn wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design
Oooh, these looks so delish!!!
Wow cool!! I've got to try these! Thanks for sharing!
Amie @ http://kittycatsandairplanes.blogspot.com/
Those look so chewy and good…just like marshmallows are supposed to be.
Seriously, you are amazing. Those look incredible (can you tell I have a soft spot for marshmellows??). I also didn't know the ingredients of the store bought kind. Glad I know now!!
One question….how do they hold up to roasting? Have you tried? They look amazing!!!
I absolutely love homemade marshmallows! Your recipe sounds absolutely perfect. I've tried a few and have never been entirely satisfied. I'm going to give yours a try for sure! Your photos are fab too!!!
These look amazing! I'm bookmarking your recipe!
I really want some marshmallows now….I might have to make these. Thanks for sharing, they look delicious!
These have been on my want to make list for some time now – I think it's time to try.
They look so good! Great information on the additives and amazing pictures.. thanks
They look so yummy! How long can they be stored in a plastic bag? Did you try roasting them over a fire?
Hi Sarah – How cool is this! I can't wait to try these – Thanks so much for sharing. I featured this today – stop by and grab a featured button if you like. Thanks so much for linking to The Sunday Showcase Party. I greatly appreciate it. Hope you have a wonderful week. ~ Stephanie Lynn
I have been meaning to make homemade marshmallows for some time now…it's nice to see pictures from someone who has done it and knows that it works! They look beautiful! – http://www.delightfulcountrycookin.com
Those look so fluffy. They really would make the best and most delicious s'mores ever.
Have you tried strawberry marshmallows? Ummm divine!! I like to roll them in toasted coconut or dip them in chocolate for a tasty treat!!
Your pictures are incredible! Now I think I am going to have to go and make up a batch or two… 🙂
O.M.G… you had me at mallow… I cannot wait to try this! Thank you! Visiting via Somewhat Simple =)
Oh my heck I want a cup of hot chocolate with a home made marshmallow. Thanks!
Wow…sound good
I just bookmarked this. I have been wanting to try making my own marshmallows for YEARS. I know, what am I waiting for??? 🙂
Wonderful! I'm not much of a cook, but I'm certainly willing to try this!
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I've made marshmallows once but never blogged about it. I think I need to make them again some time soon! Please make sure you stop by Katiescucina.blogspot.com for my first ever cooking link party!
I just tried marshmallows for the first time this week and wasn't happy with the results. They turned out a little too much like a Tempurpedic pillow!
I'll give your recipe a try – it's significantly different than the one I used and that's a good thing!
Thanks.
These look great! I can't wait to try them for homemade s'mores once we start using our fireplace 🙂 You're being featured in our Weekend Wrapup! http://www.frugally-natural.blogspot.com
Ohhh, your they look soo yummy. I would love to try them.
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I have to say, I am super impressed by this! Last Christmas, I tried making homemade marshmallows from a Martha Stewart recipe, and it was an epic fail. It probably didn't help that I was using a hand mixer (I don't have a stand mixer). I'm almost tempted to try them again, but I'll probably just drool over your photos instead. 🙂
Do you know if you could use Agar-Agar instead of gelatin?
This is the recipe that I used for Christmas presents last year. I didn't have a whip attachment for my stand mixer so I had everything ready and used my hand mixer.. it worked out ok. Since it was Christmas I used peppermint flavoring & they were to die for. I combined the marshmellows with hot cocoa mix that I made and some fresh made banana nut, lemon poppyseed, zuccini and pumpkin breads.. everyone loved their gifts!
You mean you don't need a cyclotron to make these?