This year, instead of making Christmas cookies, I made homemade marshmallows. I made 2 batches of plain (vanilla), one batch of peppermint, and one batch that was supposed to be cinnamon, but it didn't turn out very cinnamony.
Most people don't know that you can make marshmallows from scratch. It's actually not hard at all, as long as you have a stand mixer (like a Kitchenaid). I used Alton Brown's recipe, so it's hard to go wrong there.
I tried to document the process, but I apparently didn't get a picture of boiling the sugar and corn syrup. Just imagine a medium pot on a stovetop with a candy thermometer clipped to the side, and boiling sugar mixture inside. Fun! and - be careful! I manage to find a way to burn myself no matter what I'm cooking, and this was no exception.
Next up, pour the boiling sugar slowly into the mixer, where the unflavored gelatin has been patiently waiting. See the steam coming out of the mixer? Whip on high until the mixture is lukewarm - about 12 minutes. (This is where your arm falls off if you have a handheld mixer.) When it's done mixing, it looks just like marshmallow fluff you can buy in a jar. I'm pretty sure it's the same thing.
Spread the marshmallow goo into a sugar-and-cornstarched pan, let set for at least 4 hours, then dump the big marshmallow rectangle out onto a cutting board and slice it up into little squares with a pizza cutter.
Voila! Absolutely delish with hot chocolate - or even coffee!
mmmm! Those look good! I think I just might make some too.
I love making marshmallows! It's like magic! Great idea for Christmas gifts.