What is it about marshmallows that makes them so irresistible? Is it their fluffy texture? Or the subtle yet delicious taste? How about the way they go perfectly with melted chocolate?
Whatever your reason for loving marshmallows is, you'll be happy to learn that you can make them in the comfort of your own home.
Yes, if you're looking for the perfect way to show someone you care, this post will reveal how to make the best marshmallows.
The Recipe
To make marshmallows, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 13 Gelatine Leaves
- 3 Large Egg Whites
- Liquid Glucose: 1 ½ tbsp
- White Caster Sugar: 700 grams
- 1 Vanilla Pod
- Sunflower Oil
- Cornflour
- Icing Sugar
The sunflower oil greases the tin you'll use to set the mixture, and the cornflour and icing sugar are essential to prevent your marshmallows from sticking together.
Step OneYou only need the egg whites for this recipe, so you can either separate the yolks from three eggs or use liquid egg whites, which you can buy at most health stores. Once you have the eggs in your mixing bowl, use an electric beater to blend them thoroughly.
Once soft peaks begin to form, you can put the bowl to one side. Grab your gelatine leaf, and put it in a jug with 200ml of water, then leave to soften.
Step TwoPut 300ml of water in a large saucepan, with the liquid glucose and caster sugar. Make sure the saucepan has high sides, and cook the mixture on medium heat. It's best to use a sugar thermometer to make sure the mixture reaches 130℃, and you should always be careful of the sugar.
Cooking with hot sugar can be dangerous, which is why you should use a high sided saucepan to prevent it from boiling over.
Once the mixture reaches the desired temperature, you need to take the saucepan off the heat and gently add the gelatine. Wear oven-proof gloves to protect your hands from the bubbling sugar, and stir the mixture gently.
You can pour the mixture into a heatproof jug (pyrex is best).
Step ThreeHead back to your egg whites and beat them to ensure the peaks reach a stiff consistency. Gently pour in the mixture while still beating the eggs, and mix everything until it creates an even texture.
When the mixture begins to look smooth and shiny, you can add the vanilla seeds and continue to beat the eggs and syrup for 8-10 minutes.
Step FourLine a large baking tin with cling film, and use sunflower to brush the edges. You don't want the mixture to stick, so this step is necessary. Use a sieve to add the cornflour and icing sugar to the tin, then gently pour the marshmallow mixture into the pan.
Use a spatula to make sure the mixture remains level, and then leave it for two hours. The marshmallows need time to set, but you don't need to put them in the fridge.
Step FiveGrab some greaseproof paper and place it on an even surface. Dust more of the cornflour and icing sugar onto the paper, turn the baking tin upside down and let the marshmallow mix fall onto the paper.
Remove the clingfilm and place a sharp knife into the cornflour and icing sugar mixture. Gently cut your marshmallows into blocks and make sure each square is covered in cornflour and icing sugar, so it doesn't stick.
You can then either serve the marshmallows or keep them in an airtight container for two days.
And that's it! This simple recipe is easy to make, and you get a lovely vanilla flavour with each bite. But you can mix things up a bit and go for a different flavour combination.
Add some food colouring to brighten up the mixture, and use flavourings such as mint, pistachio, butterscotch and everything in between.
You can also cut your marshmallows into shapes, which is perfect if you're making someone a holiday gift.
If you're feeling particularly creative, why not make a large batch of different coloured marshmallows and decorate them? Kids will love Santa themed marshmallows as gifts, but you can also make hearts, penguins and everything in between.
Can I Make Vegan Marshmallows?
The plant-based diet continues to evolve, and more people are adopting a fully vegan lifestyle. But advances in technology mean you don't have to live off actual plants anymore. Vegans can enjoy the same foods as meat-eaters - with a few minor alterations.
Gelatine is an animal-based product, so both vegetarians and vegans can't eat it. However, you can buy vegan marshmallows or make them at home.
Two of the more popular gelatine replacements for marshmallows are carrageenan and agar-agar, both derived from seaweed.
The recipe for vegan marshmallows is generally the same, but you might need to make some minor adjustments.
If you want to make vegan marshmallows, you should follow a special recipe to ensure they reach the desired consistency.
Can't I Just Buy Marshmallows?
If you're planning a special surprise for someone, making your gifts can add a personal touch. But there's nothing wrong with buying marshmallows, especially if you're short on time.
While homemade marshmallows only last for a few days, manufactured marshmallows have a longer shelf life, making them perfect as gifts.
At Appleton Sweets, we supply a range of delicious wholesale confectionery from some of the world's most famous brands. Our wholesale marshmallows offer real value for money, and they're perfect if you want to stock your store or share them as gifts.
Some of our most popular marshmallow brands include Haribo Chamallows, which are ideal as smores, and mallow bags from the Candy Factory. We also stock halal marshmallows and have a colourful collection from Kingsway, which will brighten anyone's day.
Shop with us today and enjoy huge savings on our entire range of confectionery.
Don't forget to check out our post on the best sweets for children. We cover which sweets are suitable for toddlers and older children, so you can stock up your cupboards in time for Christmas.
Read the post here.