Homemade Corn Syrup-Free Marshmallows Recipe
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.
- 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
