The Adventures of Arcly and Elo: Homemade Marshmallows

I cant even remember where I got this recipe from. But it is exactly the same as the one at Joy of Baking:

http://www.joyofbaking.com/candy/HomemadeMarshmallows.html

I made Marshmallows before and they seemed a lot harder. I think I used less gelatin and therefore had to get the sugar syrup the exact right consistency (soft ball). Not this recipe, simply heat then mix then pour. that is about as hard as it is.

Ingredients:

3 packages gelatin
1c water
2c sugar
1c corn syrup (get the clear kind)
pinch salt
2tsp vanilla (also try to get the clear kind.. yah its crappier then the real kind but... its clear)
1c-ish icing sugar (for dusting the finished product).

Try to get clear vanilla and corn starch, otherwise your marshmallows will look beige and dirty. Although, if you get real vanilla, they might taste better.

Step 1: dissolve the gelatin in 1/2 cup cold water and wait a while. I never time this step, by the time the sugar is dissolved and boiling (step next) it is usually long enough.

gelatin and water

Step2: in a pot heat the sugar, remaining water, syrup and salt. when it comes to a boil (maybe let it boil for 1 full min), dump it into the gelatin and beat with an electric mixer for 10-15 min aka an eternity. Near the end of the beating add the vanilla. The Joy recipe says something different, but I find when you use 3 packets of gelatin (aka a lot) the temperature of sugar does not matter so much. For a "mathematician" I am super sloppy when it comes to measuring. Its freaking marshmallow, not the supportive structure for a house.

sugar gelatin mixture

After 10 minutes of mixing, you have liquid marshmallow.

Step3: Pour the mixture into a lined and greased (so important!!!!!!) 8"x8" dish. Dust the top with icing sugar and wait a few hours. Leave the bubbles.. they are fun. This solution is so sticky you could do car repairs with it. If you do not grease the parchment paper it will stick to it.