Homemade Marshmallows

• 5 tbsp unflavored gelatin
• 2 cups cold water
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups light corn syrup
• ½ tsp salt
• 4 tbsp vanilla
• powdered sugar

First, take 1 cup of the cold water and place it in the bowl of your mixer. Add the gelatin to the water and allow it to sit for about 30 minutes. It will look like sand.

While your gelatin is resting, dust your pan or molds with powdered sugar. This just keeps the marshmallows from sticking.

Place the other cup of water into a deep pot and bring it to a boil. Add in granulated sugar, salt and corn syrup. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pot making sure not to touch the bottom of the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring (make sure to keep the sides scraped clean at all times) until it reaches about 244 degrees. This is called the firm ball stage. Then immediately remove from the heat.

Turn the mixer on and break up the gelatin mixture that’s already in the mixing bowl. Slowly pour in the hot sugar. The mix may smell a little stinky, which is just the gelatin,but it wont be once you add in the vanilla.

Let it mix for about 20 minutes on a medium speed. It is good to use a splash guard around your mixing bowl. If you don’t have one you can lay a damp towel over the top of the mixer to prevent spatter.

After 20 minutes add vanilla and mix 5 more minutes and pour into dusted dish. Dust the top of the marshmallow and let it set up over night.Then cut into squares with a sharp knife and roll each square in the powdered sugar dust.

Store in an airtight container.

**Warning** Hot sugar can cause severe burns. Use extreme caution and do not let children help with any recipe involving hot sugar**