marshmallows

There are a few a lot okay, a ton of things I have never tried before. I need to make a list. Lists are good, Until you misplace them, and then you have to make another list to try and remember what was on the first list…and then you end up starting a list of things to remember not to forget… and then you lose that list and well, that’s a snowball effect…right now my lists usually turn into a big sheet of paper with sections of lists…to do, to buy, to make, to remember….oh boy. Anyway….

One of the items on my list was to make  homemade marshmallows. And, from what I heard- homemade marshmallows are one of those things that blow the store-bought ones away. Kind of like comparing pre-packaged chocolate chip cookies with one right out of the oven.

Guess what?

Homemade marshmallows are that good.

Light. White. Fluffy. Sweet.Not spongy.

One thing, however- in making them:

they are sticky.

you cannot scrape the bowl.

I happen to be a bowl scraper. Maybe it’s being thrifty, but I like to use up all of whatever it is in the bowl. Maybe it’s because they’re easier to wash that way, too. Hmmm. Anyways, you can’t really scrape the bowl that well with these. But don’t let that deter you. They aren’t that hard to make. Just keep your fingers out of the sticky marshmallow batter. It’s like white tar, man.

But… it does rinse off very easily.So, no worries.

My husband asked why they were square. Good question, especially since I have a cutter that would probably make the typical cylindrical marshmallow shape….

I always saw pictures of square homemade ones…so I did squares. You don’t waste any that way, too.

There are several recipes “out there” for marshmallows. I used the one I found on Joy Of Baking, mainly because it didn’t call for egg whites, and it seemed pretty simple for a first timer like myself. 🙂

Next time, I am making strawberry marshmallows. Because strawberry s’mores just sound yummy. Don’t they?

You do need a candy thermometer for these, because you have to get your mixture to 240°F (soft ball stage) which reminds me…I now need another one. This one in the picture got me all flustered because it wouldn’t stay straight. Grrr. I am so going to buy one of the flat ones next time. Man, I just saw one last month…where was that…I need to add it to my list.

You also need a mixer for these. (sorry)

It’s just easier. I promise.

I suppose you could do it by hand, I am positive it’s been done before…but oh my…duplicating high speed for 10 minutes- that’s like a million strokes by hand.

Now, they have to “set” for 12 hours. This is where your kids/husband/mom/aunt/grandma/uncle/grandpa/dad/crazy cousin will ask: “How do you get them into circles?”

Then you’ll debate cutting them with a cutter.

Don’t.

Too wasteful. These are yummy.

Pizza cutters work best for cutting.

Be sure and dust the edges in powdered sugar.

And there you have it~ homemade marshmallows. For the recipe, go here

And, don’t feel too guilty… they are fat free. Insert happy-booty dance.

As for happy booty dances. I want to thank all of you for your kind words over the loss of my beloved Salvador.  I am moving forward, although the sting in my heart still lingers…and the tears have not ceased completely. I am planning a garden in his memory, near where he used to lay in the yard.  So, I will share the details as that gets underway. Maybe it will inspire you guys to get dirty too.  🙂  Jst wash up before you make your marshmallows. White shows everything. :0

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