Two Spoonfuls: Marshmallows!
This week Ginny and I are taking a quick break from our travels with Alton Brown. So far we’ve been rolling right along learning the fundamentals of cooking and baking. But this week we spotted a charming little detour that we just couldn’t pass up: Marshmallows! Homemade marshmallows. Oh yes.
Do you think you need industrial sized equipment and a full scale jet engine to make real marshmallows? Well, you don’t!
Aside from having fun making (and eating) these, I learned that marshmallows are NOT difficult to make. If your kitchen includes a stand mixer and an inexpensive candy thermometer – then you are ready to go*.
(*If you don’t have a stand mixer, I wouldn’t hesitate to try making these with a good electric hand held mixer. As long as I had some stamina on my side, or a husband who would take a turn or two, or if a girlfriend who is one of the American Gladiators was visiting. What I’m trying to say here is that your arms will probably be tired after 15 minutes of mixing. But give it a try – I bet you’ve got way more muscles than I do!)
I used Ina Garten’s homemade marshmallow recipe from her book: Barefoot Contessa Family Style.
Add your ingredients to the bowl and mix for 15 minutes.
And this is what you’ll get.
Dust with some powdered sugar and let sit for at least a few hours.
For cutting I recommend a large straight blade.
Don’t bother with a serrated knife.
Fluffy and yummy!
Mix up your favorite hot cocoa.
I’ve used Schokinag.
Delicious!
And especially good when shared with a friend. : )
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I happen to have some store bought marshmallows in my pantry.
Would you like to see how the ingredients compare?
HOMEMADE:
Unflavored gelatin
Water
Granulated sugar
Light corn syrup
Kosher salt
Pure vanilla extract
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
STORE BOUGHT:
Corn syrup
Sugar
Modified Food Starch (Corn)
Dextrose
Water
Gelatin
Natural & Artificial Flavor
Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate
Blue 1
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So, if you’ve ever thought about making homemade marshmallows but didn’t, thinking it would just be too complicated or messy, the Two Spoonfuls are here to say: give it a try! These aren’t complicated, all the sticky utensils clean up quickly in hot water and you’ll like how these taste.
Cheers!
Jenn : )
Tags: baking, Barefoot Contessa, cooking, homemade, hot cocoa, Ina Garten, marshmallows, Two Spoonfuls
March 13th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I can honestly say I don’t think I have ever made marsmallows before but now you have me wanting to give them a try. They sure look a lot more yummy than store brought ones!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend, even if it is supposed to rain.
x
March 13th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Nice! I’ve never thought of making homemade marshmallows but it does sound pretty easy.
March 14th, 2009 at 10:04 am
We could be hot chocolate, homemade marshmallow twins. I love the Schokinag chocolate as well. Just be warned about the dark chocolate or extreme dark chocolate. It’s is extremely bitter! And over Xmas I made my first batch of homemade marshmallows! I think I told everyone I knew. Because really, who thinks about making such things? Have a good weekend!
March 15th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Those look so yummy. I’ve been wanting to try making them. I could go for some hot chocolate. Today is the kind of day where it looks deceptively warm out. Brr.
March 15th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Oh, they look very yummy!! I recently made marshmallows and they were a lot easier than I thought and a ton of fun to make! There is no way I will purchase a store bought marshmallow again!
March 18th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Ohh man, those were good! Thanks for the tip about the smooth knife, you were so right about that one.
June 17th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
I love to eat Marshmallows every day he he he.”"*
September 12th, 2010 at 4:28 am
i love to roast marshmallows on open fire, they taste great`.;