Introduction

Enjoy the fluffy, pillowy delight of homemade marshmallows without any corn syrup! This recipe uses simple ingredients and yields soft, melt-in-your-mouth treats perfect for snacking or adding to hot chocolate.

Homemade Corn Syrup-Free Marshmallows Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 tablespoons gelatin (2 envelopes Knox)
1 cup (8 fl oz / 225 ml) cold water, divided
2 cups (16 oz / 450 g) granulated sugar
½ cup (1 1/3 oz / 28 g) powdered sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Dust a 9-inch square baking pan liberally with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over ½ cup of the cold water. Let it sit for 10 minutes to bloom.
Step 3: In a medium pot, combine the remaining ½ cup cold water and granulated sugar. Stir gently over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
Step 4: Add the bloomed gelatin to the pot. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil without stirring, and cook until it reaches 240°F (115°C) on a candy thermometer.
Step 5: Remove the pot from heat and pour the hot syrup into the bowl of an electric mixer.
Step 6: Add the salt and vanilla extract.
Step 7: Using the whisk attachment, beat the mixture on low speed for 2 minutes, then increase to high speed. Continue beating until the mixture is soft, glossy, and has roughly doubled in volume, about 10-15 minutes.
Step 8: Pour the marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan. Smooth the surface with a spatula lightly greased with flavorless oil to prevent sticking.
Step 9: Allow the marshmallow to cool uncovered at room temperature until firm, at least 3 hours.
Step 10: Lightly dust the top with sifted powdered sugar. Use a small round cookie cutter to cut out shapes like snowmen heads if desired. Decorate with melted chocolate and melted orange melts for eyes, mouths, and noses. Enjoy plain or melted in hot chocolate!

Tips & Variations

Use powdered sugar mixed with cornstarch instead of pure powdered sugar to help prevent sticking.
For flavored marshmallows, substitute the vanilla extract with peppermint, almond, or citrus extracts.
If you don’t have a candy thermometer, cook the syrup until it reaches the soft-ball stage by dropping a bit into cold water and checking if it forms a soft, pliable ball.
Greasing your spatula with a neutral oil helps smooth the sticky marshmallow more easily.

Storage

Store homemade marshmallows in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and soft for up to two weeks. Avoid refrigerating as moisture can make them sticky. To re-soften slightly hardened marshmallows, gently warm them in a low oven or microwave for a few seconds.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make marshmallows without a candy thermometer?

Yes, you can test the syrup by dropping a small amount into cold water. It should form a soft, pliable ball that can be flattened but still hold shape. This indicates the soft-ball stage needed for marshmallows.

Why is gelatin important in this recipe?

Gelatin gives marshmallows their characteristic soft, bouncy texture by setting the sugar mixture into a stable foam. Without gelatin, marshmallows would be sticky and less structured.

Homemade Corn Syrup-Free Marshmallows Recipe

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4.6 from 500 reviews

Delicious and fluffy homemade marshmallows made without corn syrup, using gelatin and simple ingredients. These marshmallows are soft, sweet, and perfect for snacking or enhancing your hot chocolate with a festive touch.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Yield: Approximately 36 small marshmallows 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Gelatin Mixture

2 tablespoons gelatin (2 envelopes Knox)
1/2 cup (4 fl oz / 120 ml) cold water, divided

Syrup

1/2 cup (4 fl oz / 120 ml) cold water
2 cups (16 oz / 450 g) granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Finishing

1/2 cup (1 1/3 oz / 28 g) powdered sugar, for dusting
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Melted chocolate and melted orange melts for decoration (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Pan: Dust a 9-inch square baking pan generously with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
Bloom the Gelatin: In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup of cold water and let it sit for 10 minutes until it firms up.
Dissolve the Sugar: Combine the remaining 1/2 cup of water and granulated sugar in a pot over medium heat. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves completely.
Add Gelatin and Boil: Add the bloomed gelatin to the sugar water and bring the mixture to a rolling boil without stirring, until the temperature reaches 240°F (115°C) using a candy thermometer.
Mix in Extracts and Salt: Remove the pot from heat and pour the hot syrup into the bowl of an electric mixer. Add salt and vanilla extract.
Whip the Mixture: Using the whisk attachment, beat on low speed for 2 minutes to combine, then increase to high speed and whip until the mixture becomes soft, fluffy, and doubles in volume. This takes about 10-15 minutes.
Pour into Pan: Quickly pour the sticky marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula greased with flavorless oil to prevent sticking.
Set and Dust: Let the marshmallows cool uncovered at room temperature for at least 3 hours until firm. Dust the top with sifted powdered sugar to finish.
Cut and Decorate: Use a small round cookie cutter to cut out shapes like snowman heads. Dust with powdered sugar and decorate with melted chocolate and melted orange melts for eyes, mouths, and noses if desired.
Enjoy: Serve the homemade marshmallows as a treat or add them to hot chocolate for a comforting dessert.

Notes

For best results, use a candy thermometer to monitor syrup temperature accurately.
Greasing the spatula when spreading the sticky marshmallow mixture prevents it from sticking.
Powdered sugar dusting prevents marshmallows from sticking together.
Store marshmallows in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
You can customize flavors by adding other extracts or food coloring during whipping.

Keywords: homemade marshmallows, corn syrup free, gelatin marshmallows, fluffy marshmallows, DIY marshmallows, sweet treats, hot chocolate topping