If you’re taking the time to make homemade hot chocolate, why not add homemade marshmallows as well?
They melt better than the ones from the store, which will give you a deliciously creamy layer on top of your mug.
Their meltability also makes your s’mores even more delightful!
What are marshmallows made of?
Marshmallows are essentially sugar that has air whipped into it, and then is stabilized or suspended with gelatin.
This means they aren’t vegan, so just keep that in mind when serving friends.
Not everyone is a fan of corn syrup, but it is essential here.
When you melt granulated sugar into water, it isn’t very stable.
You could easily get grainy crystals back into your mixture, and your final texture wouldn’t be great at all!
By using corn syrup, you are adding an invert sugar that helps stabilize the sweeteners.
One thing we love is that our marshmallows are not made with artificial colors.
If you pick up a bag of marshmallows at the store, you’ll notice blue dye in the ingredients.
Many white foods aren’t “white enough” to the consumer’s eye so blue dye is added.
If you are trying to avoid that, then making your own is the way to go!
There are also marshmallow recipes out there with whipped egg whites in them.
Our recipe doesn’t have them, and they have a pleasant bite with the gelatin this way.
Egg whites can create softer, fluffier marshmallows, but it is extra work and means the final product won’t last as long, either.
How to make homemade marshmallows
In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the gelatin to cool water to bloom.
Always start gelatin in cool water so that it dissolves easier!
Add the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and remaining water to a small saucepan.
Heat gently until the sugar dissolves, stirring often.
Now turn up the heat, and do not stir until the mixture reaches 240°F on a candy thermometer. Avoiding stirring is crucial to not have sugar grains forming.
With the mixer running, slowly pour the syrup into the gelatin. This ensures it won’t be too hot as it mixes so the gelatin activates.
Switch to high, add vanilla, and whip until light and extra fluffy.
Working quickly, before the mixture sets, pour it into your prepared, greased pan, smoothing the top as best you can.
We like to line the pan with plastic wrap in order to make it even easier to remove the homemade marshmallows from the pan.
Sprinkle your mallows with confectioner’s sugar and let it sit to dry.
Depending on humidity and temperature, it could be a few hours or overnight.
Once dry, carefully remove from the pan to a cutting board and slice. Dipping your knife in cool water will help sticking.
Toss the final marshmallows in more confectioner’s sugar and serve!
We also love to add homemade marshmallows in a gift pack with a cute mug and hot cocoa packets.
How long do homemade marshmallows last?
In an airtight container, homemade marshmallows can last a very long time.
There isn’t any ingredient that can “go bad” (like egg whites) so really, you will eat them all up before they even have a chance to go bad!
One thing you might see happen is the powdered sugar coating start to soak in and the marshmallows stick together some, but just go ahead and toss them in a fresh coat before serving. No harm done.
Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows
Hot chocolate and marshmallows go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Why not take your homemade marshmallows and pair them with homemade cocoa?
Our crockpot hot chocolate recipe is so indulgently rich and creamy since it uses real chocolate chips, you’ll never reach for that hot chocolate powder packet again.
Be sure to add some of those homemade marshmallows to a hot chocolate charcuterie board (check out our post for some awesome hot cocoa topping ideas).
Homemade Marshmallow Recipe
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Additional time: 4 hours
Makes: 24 marshmallows
Ingredients:
- 3 packets of plain gelatin
- 1 cup cool water, divided
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup of light corn syrup
- 2 Tbsp vanilla
- Dash of salt
- Confectioners’ sugar to coat the marshmallows
Directions:
1. Combine the gelatin packets and ½ cup cool water into the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment. Mix to combine.
2. Mix granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and the remaining ½ cup cool water in a small saucepan. Cook the mixture on medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Raise the heat to high, and cook, without stirring until the syrup reaches 240°F. Then, remove from heat.
4. Set the electric mixer on low speed. Slowly pour the corn syrup into the softened gelatin. Increase mixer speed to high, add vanilla, and whip until the mixture is thick and fluffy.
5. Spread marshmallow mixture into a glass baking pan lined with greased plastic wrap.
6. Sprinkle H-E-B confectioners’ sugar over the top and let the marshmallows sit for several hours, or overnight.
7. Use a pizza cutter or knife dipped in cold water to cut your marshmallows.
8. Toss the marshmallows in additional H-E-B confectioners’ sugar and enjoy!
Homemade Marshmallows Recipe
Ready to up your hot chocolate game? Add in homemade marshmallows! Here's how to make amazing homemade marshmallow recipe at home.
Ingredients
- 3 packets of plain gelatin
- 1 cup cool water, divided
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup of light corn syrup
- 2 Tbsp vanilla
- Dash of salt
- Confectioners’ sugar to coat the marshmallows
Instructions
- Combine the gelatin packets and ½ cup cool water into the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment. Mix to combine.
- Mix granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and the remaining ½ cup cool water in a small saucepan. Cook the mixture on medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Raise the heat to high, and cook, without stirring until the syrup reaches 240°F. Then, remove from heat.
- Set the electric mixer on low speed. Slowly pour the corn syrup into the softened gelatin. Increase mixer speed to high, add vanilla, and whip until the mixture is thick and fluffy.
- Spread marshmallow mixture into a glass baking pan lined with greased plastic wrap.
- Sprinkle confectioners’ sugar over the top and let the marshmallows sit for several hours, or overnight.
- Use a pizza cutter or knife dipped in cold water to cut your marshmallows.
- Toss the marshmallows in additional confectioners’ sugar and enjoy!
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