Photographed by- Kristen at Dine & Dish
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Homemade marshmallows have been on my cooking bucket list for three years now. Making peppermint flavored marshmallows sounded far more intimidating that the process actually was and after making my first batch with great success, I can’t wait to try a few other flavors in my kitchen.
This year I vowed I would not talk myself out of  marshmallow making. With my big girl set to celebrate her sixth birthday, I thought I would make these for cocoa fun for her birthday party. Once I bought all the supplies, there was no turning back.
I was so nervous that I didn’t take a single picture while I made them.
What if I messed the whole thing up?
What if my marshmallows reached 241 degrees and the whole batch failed?
I followed the God of Cooking (also known as Alton Brown) and did everything exactly as instructed. Surprisingly, my stand mixer did the brunt of the work while I tidied the kitchen. Who knew that marshmallow making was so darn easy? Â The taste? Better than any marshmallow I have ever tasted.
Photographed by- Kristen at Dine & Dish
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I did pretty pink swirls through the marshmallows and added my peppermint extract to the batch to add a fun pink peppermint touch to our marshmallows.
The hardest part was waiting the four hours before I could cut them. With cornstarch and powdered sugar mixed together in a bowl next to my board, I just used my pizza cutter (dusted with the sugar mixture) and cut my marshmallows in squares. Each one was lightly dusted with  more of the sugar mixture and I stored them in a plastic container. You know…for storing….or for eating.
And eating.
And eating.
And eating.
I confess, I think I have a new food addiction.
These are fabulous, easy, and delicious.  They would make a fantastic gift to give this holiday season with a little of my favorite cocoa mix or served up with a fancy little hot cocoa bar like I did for my daughter’s birthday party.
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- 3 packages unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup ice cold water, divided
- 12 ounces granulated sugar, approximately 1½ cups
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¾ tsp peppermint extract
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- Nonstick spray
- 4 drops red food coloring
- Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with ½ cup of the water. Have the whisk attachment standing by.
- In a small saucepan combine the remaining ½ cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.
- Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the peppermint extract during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans as follows.
- Combine the confectioners’ sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.
- When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Drop red food coloring onto marshmallows and use a toothpick to swirl the food coloring into the marshmallows. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
- Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioners’ sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
Source:Â Alton Brown, Good Eats
Special thanks to Kristen at Dine & Dish for sharing her photographs of these marshmallows with MomAdvice! What a wonderful friend!
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What is something that you discovered was surprisingly easy to create in the kitchen that you always thought was intimidating? Feel free to share your kitchen adventures!
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Oh, YUM, Amy! I’m not even a huge marshmallow fan, but these look delish. I can already envision the steamy cup of cocoa by treelight topped with these babies…
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Amy Reply:
December 13th, 2011 at 10:10 am
Heck ya!
These were such a fun addition to the cocoa and it makes the whole cup taste like candy canes. Yummy! Hope you can try this recipe- Merry Christmas!! xoxo
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They look great! However, I don’t have a stand mixer and I wouldn’t make something that must be whipped for 12 to 15 minutes with a hand-held one. : ( I love the Christmas lights cello bag, btw.
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Amy Reply:
December 13th, 2011 at 10:09 am
I found those bags at Hobby Lobby two years ago for my daughter’s birthday party! I am so sorry you don’t have a stand mixer. I agree, that would be a long time with a handheld mixer. I wish I could give you one for Christmas
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Liz@HoosierHomemade Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 7:41 am
Hi KS…you should totally try them. I don’t have a stand mixer either, I used my hand mixer and it’s not bad at all. It’s similar to making meringue.
~Liz
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Amy Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 9:36 am
Thanks so much for that tip, Liz! I wasn’t sure if it was doable without the stand mixer. I definitely think it is a lazier way of doing it
Merry Christmas to your family!
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Those look great Amy! I made some with Alton’s recipe as well, and was surprised at how achievable the recipe was!
I am going to make some this week to include in a S’mores kit that I am packaging up for my sister. I’ll have to add the peppermint like you did!
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Wow! Those look awesome. Send some my way? LOL
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Amy Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 9:39 am
You bet, Tammy!
They are awesome! Merry Christmas, sweet friend!
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I have always wanted to try my hand at making marshmallows but have been too intimidated – I think I’ll do what you did and just buy the ingredients – then I’ll HAVE to give it a try!
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Amy Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 9:39 am
Ha! That is the way to do it- financially commit yourself and then you can’t back out
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Those look great! I make my own marshmallows, too… just because we can’t buy them where I live. It IS a lot easier than it sounds, doesn’t it?! And it’s always hardest the first time since you are just figuring out what to do. The next time will be easier and faster! The only bummer about homemade marshmallows is that they don’t roast very well… they get all melty and just slide off the stick.
Oh! You know what would be even better? You should dip your peppermint marshamallows in a little chocolate… YUM!
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Amy Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 9:38 am
Oh, I would never even think about how they would do for s’mores. What a bummer- who wants a marshmallow that doesn’t stay on the stick. I wonder if you left them out to dry out a bit if they would work better? I will definitely have to try dipping those in chocolate- thanks for the idea
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I made some last week (with a different but similar recipe) and we cut ours out with Christmas cookie cutters and decorated them with edible color markers. They weren’t quite as elegant as yours, but still lots of fun for the kids.
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Amy Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 9:36 am
Oh, I bet they were beautiful and what a fun mom you are- so much more fun than this version, Alice!! Happy holidays to your family!
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Gorgeous Amy! I made marshmallows for the first time last year, and I was also very intimated. They were surprisingly easy.
Thanks for sharing the Peppermint recipe. I’ve been wanting to try some Raspberry Marshmallows I saw too. YUM
~Liz
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Amy Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 9:35 am
Oh, Raspberry Marshmallows sound heavenly, Liz! Yes, so much easier than I had expected! I can’t wait to make another batch!
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Your mallows look perfect Amy!
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Amy Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 11:58 am
Aw, thank you, Maria!! Merry Christmas to your family!! xo
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They look so delicious, thanks for posting the recipe.
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Amy Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 11:57 am
Thanks so much for the comment, Wendy! Merry Christmas to your family!
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okay… stand mixer? ready. thermometer? ready. marshmallows? can’t wait!!
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Amy Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 11:52 am
How did it go, Laurel? I hope you had marshmallow success!!
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My friends started making marshmallows at home and it’s turned into big business! Check them out: http://wondermade.com/
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How much gelatin is in 3 packages? I buy mine in bulk… Thanks!
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Amy Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 7:11 am
Sara- I Googled it- I hope this answer helps you: http://community.tasteofhome.com/community_forums/f/28/t/2207.aspx
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For Christmas gifts, we make marshmallows and cut them out with a small angel cookie cutter. then we pair them with hot chocolate mix. It is so fun to make and always a hit! They look so pretty in the bag…little powder sugared angels!
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I made these today and I wouldn’t say they were easy. More of an intermediate recipe. I don’t have a Kitchen Aid standmixer, but a smaller Hamilton Beach one. I had to stop mixing 2 minutes early because the marshmallow fluff was spilling out over the bowl! A huge sticky mess! But I put what was left in the prepared pan like the recipe says and I think all is well. Not a peppermint fan, so I added some vanilla instead. I think it will be easier the second time. The marshmallow fluff I ate off the spatula tastes amazing!!
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