Classic Vanilla Marshmallows Recipe
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Pillowy-soft marshmallows are easy to make at home: Make a hot sugar syrup, whip it with gelatin, and let the mixture set before cutting and dusting with a powdered-sugar-and-cornstarch coating. The marshmallows make fun gifts, and they’re unbeatable on top of hot chocolate or melted in s’mores. Watch Shauna Sever, author of Marshmallow Madness! Dozens of Puffalicious Recipes, make these fun treats in her CHOW Tip video.
Special equipment: A reliable candy/fat thermometer is crucial for getting an accurate read on the syrup.
Game plan: This marshmallow batter can also be cut into shapes with cookie cutters or used to pipe out marshmallow chicks for Easter. (Shauna demonstrates how to make marshmallow chicks in this second CHOW Tip video.)
For the coating:
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup cornstarch or potato starch
For the marshmallows:
- Cooking spray, for coating the baking pan
- 4 1/2 teaspoons unflavored powdered gelatin (about 2 [1/4-ounce] packets)
- 3/4 cup cold water
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Sift the powdered sugar and cornstarch or potato starch together into a large bowl; set aside.
For the marshmallows:
- Lightly coat an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with cooking spray; set aside.
- Whisk together the gelatin and 1/2 cup of the cold water in a small microwave-safe bowl and let soften at room temperature for 5 minutes.
- Stir together the sugar, 1/4 cup of the corn syrup, remaining 1/4 cup water, and salt in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, until the temperature reaches 240°F on a candy/fat thermometer. Meanwhile, pour the remaining 1/4 cup of the corn syrup into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Microwave the gelatin on high until completely melted, about 30 seconds. Pour it into the mixer bowl. Turn the mixer to low and keep it running.
- When the syrup reaches 240°F, slowly pour it into the mixer bowl (the mixer should still be running). Increase the speed to medium and whip for 5 minutes. Increase the speed to medium high and whip 5 minutes more. Add the vanilla, increase the speed to the highest setting, and whip until opaque white, fluffy, and tripled in volume, about 1 to 2 minutes more.
- Pour the marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan and use an offset spatula to smooth it into the corners. Sift 1/2 cup of the coating evenly and generously over top; set the remaining coating aside. Let the marshmallow set uncovered for at least 6 hours in a cool, dry place.
- Use a knife to loosen the marshmallow slab from the edges of the pan. Dust a work surface with a thin layer of the reserved coating. Invert the marshmallow slab onto the work surface and dust it with more coating. Cut into whatever size pieces you wish (a pizza cutter works great for squares). Dip the sticky edges of the marshmallows in the remaining coating, patting off the excess. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
Variation: Increase the vanilla flavor by adding a scraped vanilla bean or a dab of pure vanilla bean paste along with the vanilla extract.
