One simple way to make mealtime fun for kids is to create memorable experiences. I did this recently with my youngest daughter when we made some homemade marshmallows to enjoy with our hot cocoa.
We normally serve hot cocoa with store bought marshmallows. My daughter was so surprised when I told her we would be making our own. Many of the steps involved in making homemade marshmallows are for an adult, but my daughter enjoyed helping out with certain things. She was coloring in the kitchen and was able to quickly join in and assist when needed.
I gathered up my marshmallow ingredients.
Then I placed the gelatin and cold water in a stand mixer.
The sugar, corn syrup, water and salt got cooked in a saucepan. A candy (or food) thermometer comes in handy here.
My daughter loves pressing buttons and switching things on and off so I knew she would have fun turning on the mixer. I advised her not to touch anything else.
When we were all done mixing, she could not resist a taste. This was before we added the egg so I was fine with it. Truth be told, I had a taste as well.
After adding the egg white mixture to the gelatin mixture, it was time to prepare a pan for the marshmallows. We used an 8 x 8 pan which I lined with parchment paper and sprayed with cooking spray.
Then I dusted the bottom and side of the pan with a mix of confectioners sugar and cornstarch.
How good does the marshmallow mixture look as it’s poured into the pan?
Four hours later, I turned the pan over onto some parchment paper and dusted off the sugar and cornstarch. Then I used a pizza cutter to slice the marshmallow into one inch cubes.
The marshmallows were so soft and fluffy and different than what you’d get in a store. I would compare store bought marshmallows to frozen pizza and these homemade marshmallows to pizza you’d get at your favorite pizza place. They were so delicious that my daughter and I were munching on them before our hot cocoa was even ready.
My daughter added three marshmallows to her hot cocoa in her Zak Designs Mug. I had to laugh because there appeared to be more marshmallow in her cup than hot cocoa!
The best part of the marshmallow making experience (besides the yummy marshmallows!) was that I got to enjoy some quality time with my daughter. We made memories as we enjoyed a warm beverage, laughed and talked.
Homemade Marshmallow Recipe Instructions
homemade marshmallows
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours
Yield: 40-45 marshmallows Recipe
Ingredients
Cooking Directions
- 2 envelopes Plain gelatin
- 1/8 cup confectioners sugar
- 1/8 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup cold water, divided
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- Add 2 envelopes of plain gelatin to a mixing bowl and pour 1/4 cup of cold water on top.
- In a medium sauce pan, combine the other 1/4 cup of water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. When sugar has dissolved, allow to boil until temperatures reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer.
- When mixture reaches correct temperature, pour into mixing bowl on top of gelatin mixture. Beat on high speed until the mixture has become thick and white (about 7 minutes).
- In another bowl, beat egg white and vanilla together until stiff peaks form. Then add this egg mixture to gelatin and sugar mixture and beat until combined.
- Prepare pan for the marshmallows: Cut a piece of parchment paper to fill a 8 x 8 pan. Spray the parchment paper with cooking spray. Combine confectioners sugar and coat the bottom and sides of the pan with half of the mixture. Shake out the excess.
- Pour the marshmallow mixture into the pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle top with remaining confectioners sugar and cornstarch mix.
- Let marshmallows sit for 3-4 hours then turn over onto parchment paper. Dust off excess confectioners sugar and cornstarch Use a pizza cutter to slice into one inch squares. These can be stored in an airtight container for a week.
