Homemade Fluffy Marshmallows

Baby, it's cold outside! Are you one of unfortunate ones suffering through the recent polar vortex? Watching the weatherman report tired of hearing about arctic chills, single digits temperature or below zero.... Spring seems so far away!
Well, not much you can do about it living in New England, besides staying warm or moving South. You, just need find ways to enjoy the season . I am not the type that will enjoys outdoors this time of the year  by skiing, sledding or snowboarding but I enjoy watching the snow through my window while reading a book or trying a new recipe in my warm kitchen. 
Last weekend, I took my daughter to go ice skating at the rink close by the house and she had some friends over after skating . We had some brazilian hot dogs made by my mom and hot chocolate and I decides to make the marshmallows in the house. And I have to say they are very easy to make and much better than store bought ones, the only cons is that they are a bit messy, once you have to coat them with powdered sugar and corn starch that gets all over counter, but it's not that bad. You can even use cookie cutters and cut them into fun shapes. And the left over you can keep them in an air tight container , they will last for weeks.

Homemade Fluffy Marshmallows

Ingredients:
(it makes 50+ marshmallows depending on the size you will cut them)

3 packets unflavored gelatin powder 
1/2 cup cold water ( for the gelatin bloom)
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup water( to make marshmallow)
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 light corn syrup
pinch of salt 
1 cup powdered sugar 
1/4 cup corn starch
cooking spray
* You will need a candy thermometer*
How to make it:

• Line 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan with foil. Coat foil lightly with nonstick spray.
• Pour 1/2 cup cold water and the vanilla extract into bowl of a mixer with a whisk attachment. Sprinkle gelatin over it. Let stand until gelatin blooms and absorbs water, at least 15 minutes.
• Combine the 1 1/2 cups sugar, corn syrup, salt, and remaining 3/4 cup cold water in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush. Attach candy thermometer to side of pan. Increase heat and bring syrup to boil. Boil, without stirring, until syrup reaches 245ºF. Do not stir sugar once it has come to a boil or it may crystalize.
• With mixer running at low speed, slowly pour hot syrup into gelatin mixture in thin stream down side of bowl (avoid pouring syrup onto whisk, as it may splash). Gradually increase speed to high and beat until mixture is thick and stiff, about 10 minutes. At first the liquid will look clear and frothy as it mixes it will turn opaque , white and creamy and will increase in volume. 
• Scrape marshmallow mixture into prepared pan. Smooth top with a spatula sprayed with cooking spray. Let stand uncovered at room temperature until firm, from 6 to 12 hours. If you like to top your marshmallow with crushed candy canes you can add it before marshmallow is set, just sprinkle as much you would like on top and softly press them down a bit using your hands.
  
  
  Stir corn starch and powdered sugar in small bowl to blend. Sift generous dusting of starch-sugar mixture onto work surface, forming rectangle slightly larger than 13x9 inches. Turn marshmallow slab out onto starch-sugar mixture; peel off foil. Sift more starch-sugar mixture over marshmallow slab. Coat large sharp knife (or cookie cutters) with cooking spray. Cut marshmallows into squares or other shapes. Toss each square( or other shape) marshmallow into the powder sugar mix so all the sides are coated. Transfer marshmallow to rack shaking off the excess of the powder mix. 
  
  
  If they are not consumed right away keep them in an air tight container, so they will stay fluffy longer.
  Now make yourself a cup of hot cocoa and top it with your homemade marshmallow and enjoy this treat in a cold day! 
  Cheers to the season!
  Pri=)

  

  almost there!

  
  

  

  Carefully pour the hot sugar down the side of the bowl

  
  

  

  mix for 10 minutes until is thick and glossy

  
  

  

  if using  crushed candy cane on the top just press them down gently so will stick to the marshmallow

  
  

  

  make sure the surface is coated with the powder mix so marshmallow won't stick

  
  

  

  I made 1/2 plain stars shape and 1/2 square with crushed candy cane 

  
  

  
  Hummm! Enjoying a hot chocolate while reading a magazine.Looking at the snow outside.