So it's odd that I've been obsessed with marshmallows for several months now. It probably started way back when Martha printed a recipe for them and I couldn't imagine why anyone would bother to make a stupid marshmallow. And then I had one someplace and couldn't believe how much better they are: the creamy texture, and flavor options.
Then Jane posted photos of her colored marshmallows, and that was that.
So Tsia and I finally took some time this afternoon to make some ourselves. And it's so easy! I was envisioning a giant mess: clouds of sugar everywhere, our feet glued to the floor with the stuff, and hours of messy cleanup. Not at all! A few pans, the mixer, and we had ourselves some these little powdered sugar beauties.
But the best part is the surprise inside: bright blue and peppermint flavored!
I have to say, however, they are puuuuure sugar and a little gelatin. Not my usual thing. If I ever make them again (and I think I've gotten them out of my system, really) I'll try oiling the pan instead of using the recommended parchment: it sticks too much and was a bit tricky to remove. I was starting to get worried that Dr. S would get bored and wander away as I was in the middle of peeling it off, with the gluey parchment sheets attached to my hands.
Cutting them was simple as can be, however. I quickly discovered that if you sift powdered sugar on top, you can hold them with one hand while cutting firmly with the other using a serrated knife. Then a quick dip in the powdered sugar (because the three cups of sugar and 1 1/4 cups of corn syrup we already used to make them weren't enough, don't you know) and they're done!
Update: Oh, and look! We're not the only ones getting our fix!
Hmm - blue marshmallows! They look great - perhaps I should try to make them!
ReplyDeleteThey're everywhere! I made some peppermint dipped in chocolate for Christmas and was so pleased with them!
ReplyDeletei made some last year and I don't even LIKE marshmallows but i loved them. a fun grown-up option is to swirl some espresso through them before they finish drying/setting-- it looks pretty and they are lovely in hot chocolate or coffee. i lined my pan with oiled saran wrap, which made it really easy to turn the sheet of marshmallow out when they were dry. oiled kitchen scissors are a great way to cut them too! y'know, if you ever need to make them again :)
ReplyDeleteThat looks really good- I love how they are blue :-)
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to try making them but have never quite found the right occasion to make myself an entire tray of sugary marshmallows... hearing how easy it was makes me want to do it even more though!
ReplyDeleteI had great luck with sifting a solid layer of powdered sugar all over the pan before pouring in the gooey fluff. Turning them out was easy-peasy once they had dried. No sticking, no mess, and you end up with the top and bottom of your 'mellows dusted and ready to eat. Heavenly.
ReplyDeleteBlue and peppermint--too yummy.
ReplyDeleteFor slightly less sweetness, try mixing the dusting sugar half and half with cornstarch. It was in a BBC recipe I tried and it did cut the sweetness. An oiled pan definitely helps with the turning out.
ReplyDeleteI tried my hand at making a batch this Christmas...they are so delicious and next time I make them I'll definitely try adding food coloring to spice things up. I am not a fan of store bought marshmallows, but these were delicious and now I sort of find myself craving them in my hot chocolate again. I'm definitely sure that these are a once a year treat, though!
ReplyDeleteI've found that lining the pan with parchment and then oiling it works best. The parchment comes right off & you can use less oil. I made some fun, swirly red & white peppermint marshmallows with Elijah last year.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, swirling the color in was big fun! You should give it a try next time you're in the mood. If you drag the drops of color throughout, you get a feather effect. Too cool.
Yummy my kids would love those!!
ReplyDeleteWow, they look great. I may just have to try a batch myself. I don't have any qualms about sweet things, so I'm sure I'd love them :-)
ReplyDeleteLisel --peppermint marsmallows--Yummy. My daughter and I made some a while back and dipped them in semi sweet chocolate, they were sooo good. Next I want to try and make them into cookies with a shortbreadish crust and then dipped in chocolate.
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