As I’ve mentioned a few times before, my family LOVES hot chocolate. It’s one of our favorite cold weather treats.
My kids like to drink their hot chocolate with lots and lots of marshmallows. I mean, who doesn’t, right? Actually, I prefer mine with fresh whipped cream.
But that has changed since I tasted homemade marshmallows.
A neighbor dropped off a Christmas gift last week with some homemade hot chocolate mix and freshly made peppermint marshmallows. Oh my goodness they are so much better than the store-bought kind. My kids were fighting over who got the last one.
To keep the peace I asked my neighbor for the recipe so we could make some ourselves. I can’t believe how simple it was! And there’s no limit to the flavors you can try. Our neighbor made them with peppermint extract instead of vanilla and added crushed candy canes to the top. I substituted the vanilla in the recipe for almond extract, because almond flavoring is delicious with hot chocolate.
You can tint the marshmallows by simply adding some food coloring (add it to the mixer after the fluff turns white). Use cookie cutters to cut out fun-shaped marshmallows. I used a small circular cookie cutter and they looked similar to store-bought marshmallows, only they tasted so much better!
I loved how easy it was to make the marshmallows using my Ankarsrum Original mixer! I was a little nervous about pouring the boiling sugar syrup into the plastic mixing bowl, but it was fine. The Double Whisk Bowl is made from Tritan Plastic, which is PBA- and BPS-free, and it’s also free of estrogenic and androgenic activity (EA- and AA-free). Which means it is perfectly safe to pour the hot sugar syrup directly into the bowl.
You don’t need a lot of special equipment to make homemade marshmallows. One thing you will need is a candy thermometer. I like to use this in oven thermometer, because I can set the temperature and then walk away from the stove. You will also need parchment paper. My favorite is Reynolds Cookie Baking Sheets parchment paper. They are pre-cut for a 12X16″ baking sheet.
You can also use the marshmallow fluff right out of the mixer. It’s delicious! Now I’m craving a fluffernutter sandwich!
Homemade Almond Flavored Marshmallows
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Homemade Almond Flavored Marshmallows
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cornstarch
- Parchment paper
- 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 1/2 cup ice cold water
- 12 oz sugar (approx 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 cup light corn syrup (you can also substitute with 1/2 cup agave which is what I used because I was out of corn syrup)
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/4 Tbsp. vanilla, almond extract or your preferred flavor
Instructions
To prepare the pan
- Measure and cut out parchment paper to fit in the bottom of your 9X13" pan.
- Use spray oil to cover the bottom and sides of the pan, then place the parchment in the bottom of the pan.
- In a small bowl combine powdered sugar and cornstarch.
- Dust the sides with the mixture.(Save the rest of the mix to use when the marshmallows have cooled and you are ready to cut. They will be sticky and this will keep them from sticking to everything.)
To prepare the gelatin
- In a mixer with the whisk attachment, add 1/2 cup ice cold water and sprinkle the gelatin packets in the water. Don't stir. Let stand to soften. Don't inhale over the mixer with the gelatin, it's not a pleasant scent 😉
For the sugar syrup
- In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup/agave 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 vanilla (or your preferred flavor) during the last minute of whipping.
- Pour the marshmallow mixture into the prepared baking pan and smooth with a lightly greased spatula.
- Chill uncovered until firm, about 3 hours.
- Once chilled, lift marshmallows out of the pan and place on a cutting board.
- Spread some of the powdered sugar mixture over the top of the marshmallows.
- Cut as desired using a greased knife or cookie cutters. Be careful not to cut through the parchment paper so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the marshmallows.
- Toss each cut marshmallow in a little of the powdered sugar mixture and store in a plastic zipper bag.
- May store for several weeks.
Notes
It's better to use a metal pan vs. a glass one. The marshmallows will come out of the pan much easier. Be sure to coat your hands with the powdered sugar mixture to keep the marshmallows from sticking.
Another delicious way to prepare the marshmallows is to temper some really good chocolate, then dip the cut marshmallows in about half-way and sprinkle with crushed candy canes, etc.
Oh my Heavens this would be a treat for my with even putting them in anything! I love this! YUM!
These look really good. We love marshmallows in our house. I’ve never tried making them before, but always wanted to. I’ll have to give this a try.
How cool! I’ve never heard of making your own marshmallows before. Honestly, I’ve never even thought about how they’re made. I can’t wait to try this!
Huh! I never thought to make AND flavor my own marshmallows, that looks super good! I’ll have to try it with my kids (I’m sure they’d love to be a taste-tester! thanks!
That is so awesome! I’ve never thought of making my own marshmallows before. I love this because I can see making them in all sorts of flavors!
These homemade almond flavored marshmallows sound amazing. I have never made marshmallows before but I would love to try it. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe.
I have made my own marshmallows in the past and while it is time consuming, the results are worth it. I am amazed at how different (and better) they taste than store bought marshmallows.
Homemade marshmallows seem so intimidating to make. I would totally like to take a whip at it, though! I should try your recipe out.
Oh my goodness! This is fantastic for sure. My husband is really love Almond flavor he will surely love it.
I have never made my own marshmallows before. These look so delicious and easy to make. I will have to try it out.
My kids are going to love these. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make some this week.
Wow! This is a great idea of homemade! Kids will surely love it.
wait…. you can make your own marshmallows?!!! HOW COOL IS THAT! My kids would love this!
Yum! My son loves marshmallows, but I’ve never thought of creating them here at home. Thanks for the recipe.
Wow, this is a great ideas and I bet my kids would love this homemade marshmallow, I can’t wait to try this with them.
I love Marshmallows and this is really looks yummy.
You had me at marshmallows. They are my downfall. I will eat anything that has marshmallows. I’m so going to make these this weekend.
You could have a lot of fun going crazy with different flavors with this.
I’ve never made homemade marshmallows before, but it sounds like a yummy treat!