Monday, December 7, 2009

Peppermint Marshmallows


I know, right? Why do I opt to do baking/cooking/crafty things when I very well should be cleaning or something? I dunno, but I do.

I did all kinds of productive things this weekend. And by productive, I mean in the sense that it's productive for my sanity...not so much in the productive for my home's aesthetic appearance sort of way.

Friday night we got snow. Ok, that is perhaps a lie. The surrounding areas got snow. We got a lot of really cold rain. BUT, around 11pm there was a patch of snow on the radar that was making it's way our direction. Unfortunately I could not keep my little eyes open to wait and see if it actually snowed. Whatevs.

In any event, it was cold. I introduced the kids to hot chocolate. What goes better with hot chocolate than marshmallows!! Even better still? Peppermint marshmallows!!

I had seen a recipe for marshmallows on RootsandWingsCo WAAAYY back around Easter time (I wonder if they consider me a stalker?? lol). I had full intention of making their chocolate covered Easter egg marshmallows, but that never happened. I did, however, save the recipe.

3 envelopes of Knox gelatin

1/2 cup cold water

2 cups granulated sugar

2/3 cups corn syrup

1/4 cup water

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 Tablespoons pulverized candy cane

Powdered sugar for dredging




In the bowl of your stand mixer, dissolve gelatin in cold water for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small pot on the stove, combine sugar, corn syrup and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil and let boil for 1 minute. Pour boiling mixture into dissolved gelatin. Whip on high speed for 12 minutes, adding salt and vanilla. Here is where I strayed.

I have a TON of those giant candy canes. I broke one in half and pulverized the son of a gun in my magic bullet. I added about 2 Tablespoons to the marshmallow mixture.



Transfer mixture to a foil lined pan that has been sprayed with Pam. It also helps to spray your spatula or spoon. I took of my rings, sprayed my hands with Pam and spread evenly into the pan. Cover with a sheet of foil (again sprayed with Pam) and allow to set for an hour or so.

**NOTE** do NOT run your stand mixer on high during a very important Saints game, as they narrowly hold on to their perfect season. It will most definitely upset your husband.

After removing the top foil I sifted powdered sugar all over the top. Be liberal here people. Turn pan over onto cutting board and peel off bottom foil. Sift more powdered sugar. At this point my kitchen had a white haze floating about. It was kinda nice, lol. Made me happy!

Using a large kitchen knife, cut into cubes. You're going to need A LOT more powdered sugar to keep 'em from sticking to your knife. Toss all of the marshmallows in powdered sugar.

OH THE YUMMINESS!





9 comments:

The Farmers Wife said...

Mmm, those look divine! I keep meaning to make some christmas goodies, I keep waiting. GUESSSSSSS I shouldnt wait too much longer or it will be too late! I am thinking straight up mallows, but dipped in chocolate for the neighborinos...

Salinda said...

3 things:

1. snow in any form, even on the radar, counts. we got about a 15 minute downfall here.

2. love homemade marshmallows. my family laughs every year when i could just go buy them. but the homemade ones are so much yummier. i have always wondered about flavored ones, but never tried them. thanks for experimenting for me.

3. you made marshmallows during the Saints game!?!?!?!?!?! what were you thinkin'?

Jenn said...

Make your own marshmallows? Don't mind if I do now that I have a recipe. Like Salinda said, thanks for experimenting for me.

Panamamama said...

Wow! I have been wanting to make marshmallows but haven't tried yet. Might now! My kids are allergic to dye and they put Blue dye in most storebought marshies now!

MammaDucky said...

Salinda, love, I had to de-stress near the end of that game...hence the marshmallows. I thought I was gonna explode! I was finished in time to gleefully watch the end of the game. 12-0 woot! woot!

MammaDucky said...

My Shastiness: I was trying to disguise myself as a good, diet keeping individual, but alas, you know me too well. I have already dipped most in chocolate. Mmmmmmm.

Sandy said...

I have to try these!

StepherB said...

Looks good! I will have to try these out at my annual family Christmas candy makin' night!

The Tan of A said...

You cook and make fun yummy things instead of cleaning because cleaning is boring and you can't eat Ajax!

I'm making blackberry muffins redux tonight, and possibly a sweet little recipe called "mushroom bundles" as I have a lot of unused Phyllo dough. Exciting!