Marshmallows are one of those foods that people don’t usually think about making at home but homemade marshmallows are a lot easier than you think. Soft, fluffy and ethereal homemade marshmallows are far better than store bought. My homemade marshmallow recipe is made without corn syrup and the results are positively divine. With a few easy steps you can discover just how delicious homemade marshmallows can be.
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Are Homemade Marshmallows Worth It?
Totally!
Making marshmallows from scratch results in a texture and taste worlds better than anything you can get at the store. While making marshmallows at home is easy, the right equipment and attention to technique is needed. The first thing you’ll need is a candy thermometer ( I like this candy thermometer that clips to the pan and has indicators for the stages of candy making) to ensure the sugar mixture cooks to the the precise temperature. Also having a stand mixer will make your life a lot easier ( you can use a hand mixer but it will take longer to get the desired volume). The last two items you’ll need are a silicon spatula and an 8 inch x 8 inch pan.
How to Make Homemade Marshmallows
The first step to making marshmallows is making a sugar syrup. In a medium saucepan bring sugar and water to a boil over medium high heat, occasionally swirling the pan to evenly distribute the heat and minimize sugar crystallization. Lower the heat to medium and place a lid on the pan and cook for an additional 2 minutes (the water condensation will also help prevent crystallization). Gently clip a candy thermometer to the pan, ensuring the thermometer does not touch the bottom of the pan. Heat the sugar to 245 degrees F, or firm-ball stage (at this stage the sugar concentration will be about 87%).
While the sugar mixture is cooking combine water and gelatin in the bowl of your stand mixer, allowing this to bloom for 10 minutes. Over low speed with a whisk attachment add the sugar syrup mixture slowly, then add the salt and increase the speed to medium. Whisk the marshmallow mixture for 5-6 minutes, or until the mixture is fluffy, glossy and tripled in volume. Add the vanilla extract and whisk for 1 more minute. Grease an 8×8 pan with cooking spray, butter or coconut oil. Spread the marshmallow mixture into the pan and allow the marshmallows to rest for 5 hours (this is very important as this time allows the marshmallows to properly cure and set).
In a medium bowl combine powdered sugar and cornstarch to dust the marshmallows. Cut the marshmallows into your desired size ( 2 inch x 2 inch for large marshmallows or 1 inch x 1 inch for smaller marshmallows) and toss the marshmallows in the powdered sugar mixture to coat.
While you can eat these marshmallows as is or enjoy them in a mug of hot cocoa I absolutely love adding them to a cup of coffee! As they melt in to coffee they add just the right amount of sweetness. You can also toast these marshmallows over a fire or give them as gifts. These marshmallows will keep for a week in an airtight container.
If you like these Homemade Vanilla Marshmallows be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
Chocolate Swirled Meringue Cookies
Apple Almond Puff Pastry Rose Tarts
Mini Pavlova with Lime Curd and Blueberries
If you make these Homemade Vanilla Marshmallows please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Homemade Vanilla Marshmallows From Scratch (No Corn Syrup!)
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups granulated sugar 500 grams
- 1 1/3 cups water, divided
- 7 tsp gelatin about 3 packets
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Instructions
- Place the sugar and 2/3 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring the sugar mixture to a boil over medium high heat, occasionally swirling the pan to evenly distribute the heat. Lower the heat to medium and place a lid on the pan.
- Gently clip a candy thermometer to the pan, ensuring the thermometer does not touch the bottom of the pan. Heat the sugar to 245 degrees F, or firm-ball stage.
- While the sugar syrup is cooking combine the remaining half cup of water and gelatin in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, stirring to combine. Allow this to sit for 10 minutes to bloom.
- Once the sugar syrup reaches 245 degrees F move the pan off the burner and allow the bubbles to subside. In the stand mixer with a whisk attachment add the sugar syrup mixture slowly over low speed, add the salt and increase the speed to medium.
- Whisk for 6 minutes or until the mixture is fluffy, glossy and tripled in volume. Add the vanilla extract and whisk for 1 more minute.
- Grease an 8×8 pan with cooking spray, butter or coconut oil. Spread the marshmallow mixture into the pan and allow the marshmallows to rest for 5 hours (this allows the marshmallows to properly cure).
- In a medium bowl combine powdered sugar and cornstarch. Cut the marshmallows into your desired size ( 2 inch x 2 inch for large marshmallows or 1 inch x 1 inch for smaller marshmallows) and toss the marshmallows in the powdered sugar mixture to coat. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
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Lindsay Fuce says
Wow such a good idea! I’ll have to add it to my “to-try” list asap!
Liz says
Thanks for this recipe! I had no idea how marshmallows were made!
Tastegreatfoodie says
This is a recipe I would love to try!!
Jeff Albom says
Wow, I never thought these could be made at home. I’m allergic to corn syrup so these sound wonderful.
Kayla DiMaggio says
What a fun recipe! These marshmallows turned out great! The family loved having them with a big mug of hot chocolate!
Audrey says
My kids loved these!
Zoe Rogers says
These were super easy to make with my son today on Mothers Day! He loved getting the sticky mixture all over his face after we had spread it into the pan to set. Perfect.
Brianna says
Aw, I love this experience for you two so much!
Kathy Marquardt says
These are awesome. Easy, but takes a long time beating. We roasted them over a fire last night and everyone raved.
Brianna says
So glad you like them!