I have been enjoying marshmallows since I’ve been old enough to chew. I’ve never been really picky as to what types of marshmallows I’ll indulge in. I’m content with them straight out of the bag or melted between two graham crackers. And I’m pretty much a self-professed Peeps addict – as long as they’re stale – yep, you read that right – stale.
When I decided to make my own hot chocolate mix as an edible gift idea, I thought that homemade vanilla marshmallows were only a natural accompaniment. I mean what’s hot chocolate without the marshmallows, right?
I always anticipated that making marshmallows would result in sticky catastrophe and that I’d end up with less than delicious marshmallows. However, I can honestly tell you that after having one – or 5 of these homemade vanilla marshmallows, it may be a little difficult going back bagged version from the grocery store.
These marshmallows had such a rich and velvety texture – I couldn’t stop making hot chocolate as an excuse to eat more! Also, the recipe is easily adapted just in case you’re interested in adding a little something-something into the mix. Really the possibilities are endless, but I’m thinking some peppermint extract would be the perfect, festive twist.
Homemade Marshmallows
Yield: about 30 marshmallows
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
3/4 cup water, divided
3 (.25 ounce) packages unflavored gelatin
2/3 cup light corn syrup
2 cups white sugar
1 tablespoon *vanilla extract
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup confectioners' sugarDirections:
1. Line a 9x9 inch baking dish with plastic wrap and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Spray another piece of plastic wrap to cover the top, and set aside.
2. Place 1/2 cup of water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and sprinkle gelatin on top of water to soak.
3. While gelatin is soaking, combine 1/4 cup of water, corn syrup, and sugar in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Boil the mixture hard for 1 minute.
4. Carefully pour the hot sugar mixture into the gelatin mixture and beat on high for 12 minutes with electric mixer, until the mixture is fluffy and forms stiff peaks. Add in vanilla extract and beat until just combined.
5. Pour the marshmallow mixture into the prepared baking dish, using a greased spatula to smooth the top. Cover the candy with the piece of prepared plastic wrap, pressing it down lightly to seal the covering to the top of the candy.
6. Allow the marshmallow candy to rest for 4 hours or overnight. Mix together cornstarch and confectioner's sugar in a shallow dish. Using oiled scissors or an oiled kitchen knife, cut the marshmallow candy into strips, then into 1 inch squares. Dredge the marshmallows lightly in the cornstarch mixture and store in an airtight container.
Notes:
- For a peppermint twist, add in 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract with the vanilla extract.
- I used clear vanilla extract because I wanted to maintain a bright white color.
- I used a small, round, biscuit cutter to cut my marshmallows.Source: My Baking Addiction adapted from allrecipes.
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{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve always wanted to make my own marshmallows!! These look gorgeous!
I make homemade marshmallows last year..they were sooooo delicious and I don’t even like marshmallows! However I made the silly decision of making mini ones…what a PIA!
Your marshmallows turned out so pretty and perfect looking! These would make one heck of a s’more:-)
These look like little white fluffy clouds of perfection!
So I’ve always wanted to try making marshmallows but was always afraid of the mess and failure for little return (meaning would they be worth it)..but now you have me wanting to give it a try
I wonder if there’s any way to make marshmallows without the gelatin? I’m vegetarian but sometimes I have marshmallows in the summer with smores – cause lets be honest – that has to happen. I’ll give this a shot in the meantime – thanks for posting!
@kat on Twitter
You can just use vegetarian Gelatin instead
Dr Otker and Super Cook both do Vege-Gel’s that can be used when a recipe calls for Gelatin (both available in the UK, and I think one brand or the other is available in US/Canada – if not try a health food shop). I will say though that I have found that Dr Otker’s Vege-Gel sets extremely quickly.
Wonderful recipe, been on my list to try Marshmallows for a while, this seems to be the easiest one I have found so I’ll be giving it a go in the new year!
I’ve never made home made marshmallows before, I think I might have to give it a try, I keep seeing recipe for them… I think it’s a sign
I looove stale Peeps. They make you fuller because they’re not so air-ish.
That makes sense, right?
These marshmallows are so pretty!! I’d love to have some on my hot cocoa!
These look amazing! This year, I have just realized that I have Celiac so i am having to look for gluten free things now. The store bought marshmallows have gluten in them. Do these have gluten in them?
None of the ingredients have gluten in them, so these marshmallows are gluten-free.
Thanks for responding, Ann!
-Jamie
I’ve also always wanted to make marshmallows but was intimidated. I think when I go home and can use my parents’ kitchenaid, I’ll have to make some. I will also let them deal with the mess
. Maybe I’ll also make homemade graham crackers and make a nutella s’more! Thanks for the inspiration.
I make my own marshmallows almost every year (just did last week in fact), but I usually use cookie cutters to cut them out….my least favorite part! But, I like your idea of “pressing them” into a pan! That would make them so much more uniform! I was thinking of doing another batch up this week or next, so I’ll have to try that part out.
I like to press them in the pan also, but then I usually use a pizza wheel to cut them in cubes.
These look perfect! I’ve been wanting to try to make marshmallows for a long time but have always resisted b/c I thought they would be too hard…also I wanted a recipe without egg whites too..Think I will give yours a try! Thx for sharing!
i would have LOVED to receive these homemade marshmallows as a little gift! your friends are quite lucky.
In order to get that round shape without cutting marshmallow circles out of a square pan, I have piped tall circles onto oiled wax paper. But I like square marshmallows just as well!
This is going to make me seem like the baking n00b that I am, but what exactly does dredge mean?
I don’t want to make it that far and then ruin them!
Logan-
No worries – just toss them in the mixture! Have fun!
-Jamie
I’m glad you said these are easy. I’ve always wanted to make marshmallows but thought they’d be a sticky mess. I think I might give these a try. And I totally agree with you about stale Peeps! Whenever I get a package, the first thing I do is open them so they can start to harden. Have you tried the Christmas ones – peppermint (I know you don’t really like mint, but maybe you’d like these) Peep covered in milk or dark chocolate?
These look yummy and easy….would be good with a dash Peppermint extract,ya think?!
)
i have totally been wanting to make marshmallows for ever. i so need to do this tonight. amazing!
Yum! Marshmallow are my favorite too! My mom and I make these each year for Christmas! We love to roll them in toasted coconut or candy cane. Sometimes we even flavor them with peppermint!
Thanks for the recipe
YUM. I made homemade marshmallows and graham crackers last year but this marshmallow recipe looks so much better than what I used & I LOVE the idea of adding peppermint. This is going on my “last minute” to do list! Thanks for the recipe
FANTASTIC! I made homemade marshmallows once – they weren’t as beautiful as yours, but we drowned ourselves in hot cocoa, just so we could have these!
I have been “aging” my Peeps for MANY years. If the company was wise, they would do the aging for us !!!!
I’ve always wanted to make my own marshmallows and I thought about doing it for the holidays, but time has not allowed me to. I’ve heard about what you said happened- that once you taste a homemade marshmallow, you never go back to the jet puffed stuff.
Too Funny!! I love stale Peeps too. People think I’m nuts but, I think they just taste better stale. These marshmallows look yummy, I think I am going to try them.
I’ve never made my own marshmallows (though 7 minute frosting tastes kind of like fluff, which is close to marshmallow right?) – bookmarking these to make after the holiday baking madness is over.
I think you are reading my upcoming blog posts! I just made these and scheduled to post this week. But I used a different recipe. That’s okay
My next adventure in making these: I want to add 1/4 tsp. peppermint extract and then after pouring them into the pan, swirl melt dark chocolate on top. Yummmmmm.
I just made these and they are amazing….soooo much better than store bought!!! THANK YOU!!!
Those look so fluffy. I’m totally gonna have to try these!
true Peeps addicts only eat them when they are stale.
oooohhhh! I think I will grab some gelatin while I am out shopping and whip these up tonight ! I have always wanted to make homemade marshmallows! These sound so easy and delicious.
Made these and were delicious in my home-made hot chocolate. My husband asked where had these been for the past 15 years. The kiddos loved them, and we shared with my in-laws.
I made these and the hot cocoa mix for late Christmas / New Years presents. They were a total hit, and I have to say… Making marshmallows is really fun! I had no idea. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe and idea!
These look awesome! While I had extracts and such on the mind, I just sprouted a couple of other ideas for additives people could try…Food coloring(s) to fit whatever occasion you’re making these for (Christmas, Easter, etc), almond extract, anise extract, cherry flavoring, sprinkles of any color (for a kid’s birthday?)…so many things you could do with these!
How long will these last? I am wondering how far in advance of my sons birthday party I can make them.
Kathleen-
I think you could make them up to 3 days in advance. Have a great weekend!
-Jamie
These look great. I was thinking of making homemade marshmallows for Valentine’s Day. I have cute heart shaped cookie cutters. Can I use a few drops of red food coloring to tint them? Does that mess up the recipe at all?
Irish-
That shouldn’t be an issue at all – I’m betting they’ll be gorgeous!
-Jamie
these look amazing (I had to pin them). Putting these on my recipe bucket list : )
Any chance you might know of a substitute for corn syrup for this recipe? My son is allergic to corn, and I’ve been wanting to make him some marshmallows.
Kristina-
Sorry, I am not aware of a substitute for corn syrup for this recipe. I apologize for not being more of a help. Thanks for stopping by.
-Jamie
This was a lovely recipe – my boyfriend gobbled all the marshmallows up!
I’m completely with you on the stale peeps. They so rock!
~ Carolyn
These marshmallows are perfect!
Hia
x
Found this on Pinterest and excited to make them but a little confused about the gelatine! Is it 3 x 0.25 ounce packages (making 0.75 ounces) or 1 x 0.25 ounces?
Haven’t seen any one else asking this question so obviously me just being daft!
Thanks
Chloe-
The gelatine in the recipe should read 3 – (0.25) packages, so the recipe does require three packages of gelatin. I hope this helps – have a great day!
-Jamie
Just found this on Pinterest & repinned. My nephews will love making these marshmallows. I think they’d prefer alien shapes & maybe some weird colors. I’m gonna let them go wild on this one. Thank you for sharing!
If I use regular vanilla, will they come out yellowish?
Renee-
Yes, using regular vanilla will give the marshmallows a slightly yellowish hue. I highly recommend using clear vanilla if you want to get the bright white coloring. Good luck and have a great day!
-Jamie
This post has sparked the desire for me to try this on my own! I hate the packaged/processed stuff so I decided to try this recipe out. I have my freshly made mallows sitting out and can’t wait to try them. The only change I made was instead of using the plastic wrap I just sprinkled the dish heavily with powdered sugar. Fingers crossed it comes out easily!
Is there possibly any way to adapt this recipe so that there is no gelatin? As a strict vegetarian, there are delicious vegetarian marshmallows out there, but they’re seven dollars a bag! Too expensive for my taste! It would be super helpful if you did help me adapt it!
Isabella-
Unfortunately, I am not very knowledgeable in the area of gelatin substitutions. I am hoping someone may chime in and help up us answer this one for you. Thanks so much for stopping by.
-Jamie