Marshmallow Peeps Or Homemade Marshmallows Recipes

MARSHMALLOW PEEPS!

Steps:

• Line the bottom and sides of a 13- by 9-inch baking pan with plastic wrap.
• Oil and then liberally dust bottom and sides with some powdered sugar.
• Place 1/3 cup cold water in a mixer bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over the water's surface.
• In a heavy saucepan with a tight fitting lid, add sugar, corn syrup, salt, and remaining 1/3 cup water and stir to dissolve sugar.
• Cover the pan, place over moderately low heat.
• Remove cover after 4 - 5 minutes. The steam will have caused any sugar crystals to dissolve and the syrup will be bubbling lightly.
• Increase the heat to high and boil the syrup, without stirring, until it reaches 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
• Remove from the heat immediately.
• Slowly and carefully, pour the syrup into the gelatin while the mixer is beating constantly at medium speed.
• When all of the syrup has been added, increase speed to high and whip for approx 10 minutes until the mixture is lukewarm and very white, and the consistency of marshmallow cream.
• Add the vanilla extract and a drop or two of food coloring if desired. Mix well.
• Pour the marshmallow mixture into pan; smooth the top surface and sprinkle liberally with colored sugar.
• Let the pan stand, uncovered, at room temperature to dry out. Depending on humidity, this may happen in several hours or take up to 8 hours. The longer you let it set, the easier the marshmallow sheet will be to cut.
• When ready for cutting, invert the pan of marshmallow onto a clean cutting surface; remove the plastic wrap and coat the top with colored sugar.
• Use cookie cutters to stamp out your peeps (or other shapes) and toss them in a bowl of colored sugar to coat evenly. If the cookie cutter gets sticky, wash it and lightly coat with vegetable oil.
• Use chocolate sprinkles or melted chocolate to form an eye on peeps.
• Store the marshmallow peeps in an airtight container.
• Makes about 80 marshmallows.

HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS

Steps:

• Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the water. Have the whisk attachment standing by.
• In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.
• Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans as follows.
• Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.
• When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
• Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioners' sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
• Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Line 4 half sheet pans with parchment paper, spray the paper with nonstick cooking spray and dust with the confectioners' sugar mixture.
• Scoop the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round piping tip. Pipe the mixture onto the prepared sheet pans lengthwise, leaving about 1-inch between each strip. Sprinkle the tops with enough of the remaining cornstarch and sugar mixture to lightly cover. Let the strips set for 4 hours or up to overnight.
• Cut into 1/2 inch pieces using a pizza wheel or scissors dusted with the confectioners' sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining sugar mixture and store in an airtight container for up to a week.