peppermint marshmallows

I was watching the food network channel once and saw them make home made marshmallows on iron chef.  I had no idea you could make your own marshmallows, and like anything it turns out that taste so much better then the store bought kind.  I also realized there are endless possibilities.  you can make marshmallows any flavor you want, dip them in chocolate or nuts, and make them any color you want.

In celebration of Christmas I made peppermint ones.  Here is what you will need:

courtesy of Betty Crocker
Butter
1/3 cup powdered sugar
2 1/2 tbsp unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup water
1 tsp peppermint extract
red and green food coloring

Grease a 2 quart casserole dish with butter and than sprinkle it with powdered sugar.  When making marshmallows powdered sugar is your friend, otherwise you will end up with a sticky mess.

In your mixer put the 1/2 cup of cold water, and sprinkle the gelatin over it.  Set this aside, after a couple of minutes it will look like the picture above.

In a 2 quart saucepan heat up the granulated sugar, corn syrup, 1/2 cup water, and salt.  Stir constantly on low heat until sugar has completely dissolved.  Turn up the heat to medium and bring the syrup to a boil.  Allow the syrup to boil without stirring until the syrup reaches 240 degrees Fahrenheit.  To check the temperature use a candy thermometer.  You can get a candy thermometer at the grocery store and they are fairly cheap.

When the syrup has reached this temperature remove it from the heat.  Turn your mixer with the gelatin in it on the lowest speed and slowly pour the syrup in.  Make sure you are pouring the syrup down the sides of the mixer so it doesn't splash onto you.  That would be a nasty burn.

After all the syrup has been poured in gradually speed up your mixer to medium high.  Allow the mixture to mix until it becomes white and shiny.  Add the peppermint and mix it in for a minute.

Pour the mixture into your casserole dish.  I lined mine with parchment paper which makes for an easier extraction.  Just make sure you sprinkle your parchment paper with powdered sugar.  add some food coloring and fold it into your marshmallows with a spatula.  If you want the whole marshmallow to be one color and you don't like the swirl effect, add your food coloring in at the same time you add your flavoring in.  Spread the mixture out and then put a couple more drops of the coloring on top.  Swirl it with a toothpick.  You can smooth the top of your mixture with a spatula which has been dipped in warm water.

Let your marshmallows sit uncovered in a protected area for at least four hours.

After your marshmallows have set sprinkle some powdered sugar onto your counter top and dump your marshmallow out of its container.  If it is sticking to the parchment paper put some powdered sugar on your fingers and slowly work the marshmallow off of the paper.  Using a knife which has powdered sugar on it cut your marshmallows into cubes.  Place the cubes in a bowl with powdered sugar making sure all sides of the marshmallow have been covered in powdered sugar.  Shake the excess off.

You can store your marshmallows in an air tight container in the refridgerator for up to 3 weeks

Tastes great in hot chocolate......