
Happiness is a homemade marshmallow nestled in a cup of steaming hot cocoa. Or actually, happiness is about one minute later when the marshmallow starts to melt, slowly enveloping the chocolate in a blanket of sweetness. Making marshmallows from scratch really makes a difference — the texture is so much more tender and yielding than anything out of the bag, and you can add any flavor you please. So do yourself a favor and make a batch of fresh, gooey, delicious marshmallows. They last for a week in a container and are the perfect wintertime garnish for a cup of hot cocoa, so you’ll have one the next time you’re craving one ;)
Ingredients:
— 1/2 cup powdered sugar
— 1 cup hot water, divided
— 3 1/2 envelopes (2 Tablespoons plus 2 1/2 teaspoons) unflavored gelatin
— 2 cups white sugar
— 1/2 cup light corn syrup
— 1/4 teaspoon salt
— 2 large egg whites
— 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
— 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
— 1 teaspoon red food coloring
Tools:
— paint brush
— toothpick
— parchment paper
— candy thermometer
Instructions:
1. Grease the bottom and sides of a 13 x 9-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper, and coat the bottom and sides with powdered sugar.
2. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer, pour in a half cup of hot water and sprinkle with the gelatin and vanilla. Let it set for about 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, combine the white sugar, corn syrup and remaining hot water in a pot over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon until the sugar is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook without stirring until a candy thermometer registers 240 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from heat and pour the sugar mixture over the gelatin, stirring until combined.
4. With the whisk attachment, beat the mixture on high speed until pale white and nearly tripled in volume, about six minutes.
5. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until they just hold stiff peaks.
6. Add the egg whites, peppermint extract and vanilla extract to the mixture.
7. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and paint with red food coloring. Swirl the food coloring with a toothpick (this needs to be done while the marshmallow is still a little warm and not set).
8. Once the marshmallow is set, use a knife dusted in powdered sugar to cut it into squares. Dust the sticky edges in powdered sugar. Pop into some cocoa and enjoy!
Grease the bottom and sides of a baking pan lined with parchment paper, and coat the bottom and sides with powdered sugar.
In a standing electric mixer, pour in half a cup of hot water, gelatin and vanilla. Let it set for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the white sugar, corn syrup and remaining hot water in a pot over medium heat, until a candy thermometer registers 240 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from heat and pour the sugar mixture over the gelatin. With the whisk attachment, beat the mixture on high speed until pale white and nearly tripled in volume.
In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until they just hold stiff peaks.
Add the egg whites, peppermint extract and vanilla extract to the mixture.
Pour the batter into the baking pan and paint with red food coloring. Swirl the food coloring with a toothpick into a marble design.
Once the marshmallow is set, use a knife dusted in powdered sugar to cut it into squares. Dust the sticky edges in powdered sugar (for your sanity). Pop into some cocoa and enjoy!
These marshmallows keep for about a week on the counter and they make a great stocking stuffer if you pair them with a jar of hot cocoa mix!
Make sure to share your photos with the tags #britstagram and #iamcreative so we can check out your version — and come back tomorrow at 8am PT/11am ET for another video + recipe in the Crave series!
Back in January, we introduced you to a feel-good cause to inspire your New Year's resolution: a walking challenge to help raise funds for the amazing cancer fighters at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I took part in the challenge with the Brit + Co team and ended up walking 105+ miles in January — it was awesome.
This spring, there's a new challenge on the horizon, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Big Climb. The ask: On May 15, 2021, you can step up to take cancer down by committing to climb 1,311 steps, walking 3.2 miles, or doing 440 chair step-ups at home as part of the Big Climb. If you need some motivation to bring movement back into your daily routine — look no further!
As always, it's free to sign up, but climbers are encouraged to set a fundraising goal to help beat cancer. We'll be organizing another Brit + Co team to step up, and I hope you'll join us too! Keep scrolling for a peek at where I'll be completing the challenge in my Los Angeles neighborhood around the hidden Silver Lake Stairs. Happy climbing!
Never underestimate the power of an accountability buddy! I asked my in-laws, my partner, and a few friends to join me so we can keep each other motivated and accountable in completing the challenge — virtual high-fives all around! Also, my dog Fox is a great climber, too.
An aesthetically pleasing backdrop is a huge motivator for me! I'm fortunate to have all sorts of painted steps around my neighborhood to keep the challenge interesting, but you can also keep cool inside with at-home chair step-ups.
Don't forget to share your progress on social — #BigClimb!
Feel free to break the challenge up if you need to by tackling half the distance in the AM and half at sunset. Here's me 1,311 steps later and ready for a break — but, think I earned this one!
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