Pillowy Homemade Marshmallows

Have you ever made your own marshmallows at home? They're so pillowy and soft, you'll never want to go back to the store bought ones - And extra bonus, these marshmallows are made from cleaner ingredients, and will go amazing with your homemade paleo hot cocoa (get the recipe here)!! We made these at our bakery for homemade s'mores.

You'll need a thermometer for this recipe to make sure the syrup reaches the right temperature - but don't let that scare you off. If you don't have a candy thermometer, you can totally use a meat thermometer too.

This recipe does use gelatin so it isn't vegan. If you try making these using a substitute like agar agar, please let us know how it goes!!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cold water (divided - two x 1/2 cups)

• 2 1/2 tbsp organic grass-fed gelatin

• 1 1/4c organic honey or pure maple syrup (we like a 50:50 mix of honey and syrup)

• 1 tsp pure vanilla

• pinch salt

Directions:

1. Start by preparing the tray/dish you will be spreading your marshmallows on by greasing a 8x8" glass pyrex dish with coconut oil, or lining a baking tray with parchment paper.

2. Next, stir together the gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water in a mixing bowl and let sit to bloom.

3. In a small saucepan combine the other 1/2 cup water, honey/syrup, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 238-240F (112-115C).

4. Start mixing the gelatin mixture on low with a hand mixer or with the whisk attachment on a stand mixer. With the mixer running, slowly pour the hot water/syrup into the mixing bowl. (Pour it down the side of the bowl (avoiding the whisk so it doesn't splatter everywhere).

5. After all the syrup has been added, add the vanilla, then turn the speed up to medium-high and continue mixing until fluffy, white and stretchy.

6. Immediately scoop the marshmallow into your prepared dish/tray and spread. As the marshmallow cools it is harder to spread so work quickly.

7. Let the marshmallow cool, then remove from the tray/dish and cut into cubes with a knife (or we like to use scissors), or get fancy by using cute cookie cutters for shaped marshmallows!

8. ENJOY!! Add them to your favourite hot beverages (try our homemade hot cocao recipe here), or make some s'mores with your kids!! Store any extras covered in the fridge.