Making Your Own Marshmallows

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 (8 ounce) envelopes unflavored gelatin
• 1/3 cup water
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. 1

   Sift the cornstarch and confectioners sugar into a bowl. Lightly grease an 8x8-inch square baking pan and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the cornstarch-and-sugar mixture into it. Tilt the pan to coat the sides and the bottom. Leave any excess in the pan.

2. 2

   Sprinkle the gelatin into the water in a small saucepan and let soak for five minutes. Add the granulated sugar and stir over low heat until the gelatin and sugar dissolve.

3. 3

   In the large bowl of an electric mixer, combine the gelatin mixture, corn syrup, salt and vanilla and beat for 15 minutes on high speed, until peaks form.

4. 4

   Spread the fluffy mixture in the prepared pan and smooth the top. Leave for two hours or until set.

5. 5

   With a wet knife, cut the marshmallow mixture into quarters and loosen around the edges. Sprinkle the remaining cornstarch-and-sugar mixture on a baking sheet and invert the marshmallow blocks onto it. Cut each quarter into nine pieces and roll each one in the starch and sugar.

6. 6

   Place the marshmallows on a cake rack covered with paper towels and let them stand over night to dry the surface slightly. Store airtight; the marshmallows will keep for a month.