Homemade Marshmallow Recipes

It's time to stop being intimidated by the dread marshmallow! You can make your own marshmallows at home, and it's really not that hard. Some recipes are as simple as sugar, water and gelatin. Using a mixer helps, but a blender works okay, too.

I've never once had a batch of marshmallows turn out inedible. As I continue to experiment, some are more marshmallowy than others--the textures have ranged from Jello-like to gooey fluff--but they've all tasted good.

Here are are some of the flavor variations I've used:

Substitute lemon juice for the water when soaking the gelatin.

Add 1/2 tsp. mint extract to your marshmallow foam.

Dredge your marshmallows in cocoa powder instead of powdered sugar.

I haven't personally tried this, but you can also use flavored gelatin to make fruit flavored marshmallows.

Maple Syrup Marshamallows

3 Tbs. (21 g) gelatin
1/2 cup water

2 cups maple syrup

1/4 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. vanilla extract

Pour gelatin and water into blender or mixer bowl. Let it sit while you heat up the maple syrup. Cook the maple syrup to hard-ball stage or 250 degrees. Pour it slowly into the gelatin while the mixer or blender is running. Add the salt and vanilla. When it's very fluffy and seems to be done expanding pour the mixture into a greased pan. Let it set, cut into squares, and voila! Marshmallows!

My latest trick is to add a pinch (about a 1/4 tsp for you measuring types) of cream of tartar. This helps to fill the place of corn syrup in creating a fluffy marshmallow texture.