Still staring at a pile of leftover candy canes? Or maybe you picked up an extra box of the minty treats at an after-holiday sale and are thinking, now what?
Peppermint marshmallows are the answer!
This recipe for homemade marshmallows will use up some of the leftover candy and will make a great addition to your January cup of cocoa. Once you taste fresh marshmallows it will be hard to buy them again!
Ingredients:
Peppermint marshmallows are the answer!
This recipe for homemade marshmallows will use up some of the leftover candy and will make a great addition to your January cup of cocoa. Once you taste fresh marshmallows it will be hard to buy them again!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Knox unflavored gelatin
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup (about 7) candy canes
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Tools:
- 13x9x2" pan
- Foil (preferably nonstick)
- Nonstick spray
- Food processor or blender with ice crushing setting
- Mesh strainer
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Mixer
Step-by-step instructions:
- Put 2/3 cup of water into the bowl in which you will be mixing ingredients.
- Sprinkle gelatin on top and allow to soften.
- Sift the cornstarch and confectioners sugar together into a small bowl.
- Line the 13x9x2” baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
- Dust the pan with about 1/4 cup of the cornstarch sugar mix making sure it is completely covered. Tilt to make sure sides are covered, too. Set aside cornstarch/sugar mixture for later use.
- Peel plastic off of candy canes, break and place pieces into a food processor or blender. Cover top with a damp dish towel as it gets dusty! Process or blend on ice crushing. Let the dust settle before you take off the lid.
- Put granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt and candy cane powder in a saucepan over medium heat and stir occasionally until melted, about 10 minutes.
- Pour mixture through strainer (to catch any lumps or unmelted candy) into mixing bowl with gelatin.
- Beat on high speed (I find it best to work up to high. If you have a Kitchen Aid stand mixer, absolutely put the shield on!! This is STICKY if it splatters!). After 10-15 minutes, the mixture will get very fluffy and turn a pretty light pink color.
- Spread the mixture into your foil-lined pan and smooth the top.
- Dust the top with a few tablespoons of the corn starch confectioners sugar mixture.
- Cover with waxed paper and let sit at room temperature for several hours until firm.
- When firm, lift foil with marshmallows out of pan onto a flat surface.
- With a wet knife, cut into 6 blocks.
- Cut each of those blocks into 9 pieces.
- Toss the squares into the cornstarch/sugar mixture completely covering all sides.
- Let rest one additional hour.
Serve with hot chocolate!
Plan ahead! These would also make fun Valentine’s Day treats. Instead of cutting in squares, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter and package in small plastic bags to give to friends and family.
Plan ahead! These would also make fun Valentine’s Day treats. Instead of cutting in squares, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter and package in small plastic bags to give to friends and family.
