Handmade Holidays. . .Honey Vanilla Marshmallows

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Have you noticed that everyone is talking about and making homemade marshmallows this year?  Darby made them.  Joy the Baker made them.  Smitten Kitchen has made them.  They seem to be quite the trend and it is one trend I wasn't about to miss out on.

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{ The recipe I followed was mostly from Joy the Baker, with a little of Smitten Kitchen mixed in; click on the links above to see their original recipes }

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Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup cornstarch

- 1/2 cup powdered sugar

- 1 cup cold water

- (3) 1/4-ounce packages unflavored gelatin

- 1-1/2 cups sugar

- 1/4 cup honey

- 2/3 cup light corn syrup

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

- half of a vanilla bean; seeds scraped out

.In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and powdered sugar. Coat a 9×13 baking pan (metal or glass) with non-stick cooking spray.  Dust pan with small amount of powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture. Set both aside.

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Pour 1/2 cup cold water into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Pour the gelatin packs over the water and let sit for about 10 minutes.

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In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring sugar, honey, corn syrup, salt, and remaining cold water to a boil. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Attach a candy thermometer the the side of the pan and bring mixture up to 240 degrees F (labeled as "soft-ball" on thermometer). Don't stir - just watch the pan carefully to make sure mixture doesn't boil over!

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When the sugar is heated to 240 degrees, turn on the mixer with the gelatin and water on to low speed. Carefully pour the hot sugar mixture in to the mixer bowl. Be careful not to pour the mixture onto the whisk - you don't want the hot mixture to splatter. Gradually increase the speed of the mixer until you have added all of the hot sugar mixture. Beat on high for several minutes until a thick, fluffy, white marshmallow batter has formed (about 8 to 9 minutes).  I'm sure you could also use a hand mixer for this - you just will be holding the mixer for a while!

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Pour in the vanilla extract and vanilla bean and beat for another 2 minutes.

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Spread the marshmallow mixture into prepared pan. I tried using a spatula to smooth out the mixture but found that it was too sticky and made more of a mess.  I ended up just shaking the pan around a bit to level out the mixture. Top marshmallow with small amount (about 1/4 c.) corn starch and powdered sugar mixture and let set and rest, uncovered, for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

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After marshmallow has set, run a knife all along the edge of the pan to loosen marshmallow, and turn out on to a cutting board dusted with powdered sugar.

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Use a pizza cutter to cut the marshmallows.  Spray the pizza cutter with non-stick cooking spray so that it doesn't stick.

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As you cut, toss the marshmallows with remaining corn starch and powdered sugar mixture.  This helps the marshmallows not to stick.  Trust me, they will be sticky!

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I ended up with 90 or so 1" marshmallow cubes.  Marshmallows will keep in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

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I made this gift tag on my computer:

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I divided the marshmallows up among treat bags that I found at Michael's.

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Add ribbon and a tag and you're all set for gift giving!  Who wouldn't enjoy a few homemade marshmallows to top hot chocolate?

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For me, making things is definitely the best way to find the Joy in Christmas. 

I designed a free printable tag.  Click HERE to download and use for your own gifts.