Homemade Marshmallows

The mention of marshmallows may conjure up images of campfires, s'mores, and hot chocolate. Marshmallows are a well-known example of an aerated, or air-infused, confection that are traditionally used as centers for chocolates or enjoyed individually. They have a distinctly chewy texture. Marshmallows were exceptionally popular and considered trendy in the United States from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Directions

Prepare pan:
Cut two pieces of parchment paper to line bottom of baking pan. Place one sheet in pan and brush with oil. Place second piece on top of first and press down to oil underside of second sheet. Remove second sheet and hold to side.

Bloom "plump up" gelatin:
Pour one-third cup of cold water into a bowl. Sprinkle powdered gelatin quickly, but gently, across the surface of the water. Make sure all granules are completely moistened. Let stand for about 10 to 15 minutes to allow gelatin to "bloom" or plump up.

Cook sugar:
In a medium size, heavy-bottom saucepan, combine sugar, honey, corn syrup and the remaining one-third cup of cold water. Stir to moisten sugar. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of pot. Thermometer bulb should be immersed in mixture but not touching pan bottom.

Cook over high heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula until solution comes to a boil. When solution boils, stop stirring and skim surface to remove any scum that may have formed.

Continue cooking to 248 degrees F/120 degrees C while watching the mixture carefully, to ensure it does not boil over. If mixture begins to stick to the sides of the pan, wash sides using a pastry brush dipped in water.

Remove from heat. Keeping the candy thermometer in place, allow sugar syrup to cool to approximately 210 degrees F/98 degrees C. This should take about 10-20 minutes.

Prepare gelatin mixture:
Place the bowl containing the bloomed gelatin over a pan of gently simmering water and melt completely. Mix vanilla into melted gelatin.

Whip marshmallow:
Place the sugar mixture and the gelatin mixture into bowl of a stand mixer. Fit the mixer with the wire whip attachment. Whip on high speed until strands of the marshmallow mixture form from the sides of the bowl to the whip.

Set mixture:
Use a lightly oiled heat-resistant spatula to remove mixture from bowl. Place mixture in center of the pan lined with oiled parchment paper. Place second piece of prepared parchment on top of marshmallow mixture, and lightly press second pan on top so that mixture spreads evenly to the edges. Remove second pan. Cover marshmallows with plastic wrap and allow to set overnight (or for at least eight hours).

Cut marshmallows:
Loosen edges of marshmallow from sides of pan using an oiled metal spatula. (Note: If removal appears difficult, place the pan containing the marshmallow slab into the freezer for up to one hour before cutting the marshmallows.)

Place a generous bed (between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick) of cornstarch on a large cutting board. Peel off top layer of parchment paper and gently flip paper-free side of marshmallow slab onto cornstarch. Peel off second piece of parchment.

Lightly oil knife and cut marshmallows to one-inch by one-inch squares or oil cookie cutters and cut into desired shapes. Place marshmallows onto a sheet pan that has been sprinkled with cornstarch and toss, coating them lightly to prevent pieces from sticking together.

Store in an airtight container for one week, or freeze for later use.

Note: 9 x 13-inch pans may be used and will yield approximately 117 one-inch by one-inch marshmallows of one-half inch thickness.

Variation: For a more prominent honey flavor, reduce the sugar to one cup and increase the honey to one-third cup. Follow method as indicated above.

Nutrition information per piece:
25 calories, 0 grams protein, 6 grams carbohydrate, 0 grams fat, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 0 milligrams sodium.

This recipe is from The Culinary Institute of America's Baking and Pastry, Mastering the Art and Craft, which is available for purchase at bookstores nationwide.

Ingredients

Makes approximately 64 one-inch by one-inch pieces
1 1/4 cups sugar
6 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/8 cup honey
2/3 cup cold water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons powdered gelatin
vegetable oil, as needed

Equipment needed
2 baking pans (8 x 8-inch)
parchment paper
small stainless steel bowl
candy thermometer
wooden spoon
sauce pan, medium size, heavy-bottom
sauce pan, small size
pastry brush in a small bowl of water
electric stand mixer
heat-resistant spatula
metal spatula
sharp knife or cookie cutters
sheet pan

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