Homemade Marshmallows

- Vegetable oil for the pan
- Confectioners’ sugar for the pan and the work surface
- 2 envelopes (4 teaspoons) unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions:
What could be cooler to make at home than marshmallows? They are really very easy to pull off, as long as you have the right tools—a candy thermometer and a heavy-duty standing mixer. Make a batch to put on top of a steaming mug of hot
chocolate, or give them away as holiday gifts.
- Lightly oil an 8-inch square baking pan. Line the bottom and the two short sides with a strip of aluminum foil, preferably nonstick, folding the excess foil over the edges to act as handles. Lightly oil the foil. Generously dust the bottom and the sides of the pan with confectioners’ sugar.
- Pour 1/3 cup water in the bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer and sprinkle the gelatin on top. Attach the bowl to the mixer and affix the paddle blade.
- Combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and an additional 1/3 cup water in a small saucepan. Attach a candy thermometer to the pan. Bring to a= boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When the syrup boils, stop stirring and boil, washing down any sugar crystals that form on the sides of the pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water and occasionally swirling the pan by the handle, until the syrup reaches 240°F.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually pour the hot syrup into the gelatin mixture. After the syrup has been added, add the salt and increase the speed to medium-high. Beat until the mixture is white, fluffy, and cooled to tepid, 8 to 10 minutes. Beat in the vanilla.
- Rinse a rubber spatula under cold water. Using the wet spatula, immediately spread the mixture in the prepared pan. Let stand until completely set, at least 4 hours. Generously dust a work surface with confectioners’ sugar. Invert and unmold the marshmallow onto the work surface and peel off the foil. Using an oiled knife or pizza wheel, cut into 24 pieces.