Well, hello there December and all things holidays! It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!!!
Is it just me or is December probably the most fun and exciting month of the whole year?
The change from November to December is so dramatic. It’s as if fall has ended on Thanksgiving and winter starts December 1st. Even though this is the gateway to winter, we can embrace and celebrate December because there are cookies and candy and hot chocolate and marshmallows and awesome lights and decorations and presents …..
You get the picture.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I do not eat marshmallows. I have a weird aversion to all things sticky. It’s a texture issue. I do love how they look, my family and other peeps dig them, and they’re fun to make, so here we are.
And yes. I have a pink Kitchenaid. Don’t judge me. Also, I’m bringing sexy back with my reflection in the bowl wearing pink pajama pants and a green t-shirt while taking this photo.
Chris is one lucky guy.
Seriously, have you ever made marshmallows? It’s super easy and totally fun! I made some last year for Christmas gifts and they were loved by all.
You can keep it simple and just cut them into squares or use a cookie cutter and make them into fun shapes.
Then, of course, you can (and probably should!) coat them in some chocolate. I used Wilton because I happened to see CANDY CANE MELTS at the grocery. Whaaaat???!?!?!
This is totally not a sponsored post, I just got excited about the candy cane option I haven’t seen anywhere else.
You can (and probably should!) do some chocolate ones too. And then toss on some festive decorations! Because why wouldn’t you?
Then maybe drop one in some hot chocolate because that’s always a great idea!
Happy Holiday Season!
Chocolate and Candy Cane Homemade Marshmallows
Ingredients
For the Marshmallows
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 3 packages unflavored gelatin
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
- powdered sugar for coating pan and cutting board
For the Toppings
- 4 ounces candy cane Wilton melts
- 4 ounces light cocoa Wilton melts
- Cookie sprinkles
- Shortening to thin chocolate if needed
Instructions
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Combine water and gelatin in the bowl of a stand mixer and set aside
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Combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 cup corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small sauce pan
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Cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves
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Increase heat until liquid boils, either heat until temp reaches 240 or boil for two minutes, remove from heat
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Lock mixer bowl with gelatin and water into the stand mixer, attache whisk, and turn on low
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Slowly stream syrup mixture into gelatin with mixer continuing on low
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Increase mixer speed to high and continue whipping until fluffy, about 15 minutes
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Add vanilla bean paste, whisk another 30 seconds or so
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Dust a casserole dish with powdered sugar to coat, transfer marshmallow mix to dish, leave uncovered overnight - either in refrigerator or on counter
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Turn marshmallow square onto a powdered sugar cutting board
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Use a cookie cutter of desired shape to cut out marshmallows
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Melt each chocolate and candy candy chocolates according to package directions
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Dip marshmallows into melted chocolate for the desired amount, sprinkle with cookie decorations, transfer to cutting board, refrigerate overnight
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If desired, insert a skewer to have a marshmallow on a stick
Marshmallow recipe from Ina Garten
Note: I used Wilton melts and the directions on the packaging. If you use this or something else and the result is too thick, thin it out with some vegetable shortening. I just added a teaspoon at the end and microwaved it on 50% for 30 seconds.
best pictures ever! I love how beautiful this marshmallows are. Why am I not eating one right now?
Come back to work – bring supplies!
Dude. Thanks! You are not eating one right now because I am not at work. I’ll bring you some next week when I reluctantly return!
So much to say, one I love December. Two, I LOVE your pink mixer. Three, your outfit rocks and looks like what I can normally be found rocking. Four, I’m not a huge fan of marshmallows either. But, these marshmallows are SO cute! Loving the candy cane melt!! I need to find that! These would make awesome gifts! Cheers, doll! Xo
Thanks, girlfriend! I’m so glad you love my pink mixer and my rockin’ outfit! I’m glad I’m not alone in the jammie wearing! I found the candy cane melts in the last place you would normally find me. Call me and I’ll totally confess!
Why are you so weird??? Hahahahahaha. How can you not like sticky things or marshmallows or scary movies or Halloween?? If all these things are true, then this is a world that I don’t want to be a part of anymore. Maybe I’ll get over it once I make your wonderful sticky textured marshmallows. PS, you do have some major street cred going on with that pink and green outfit. Fo’ sho!
Hahahahahahah! I’m totally weird and love that you laid out all my weirdness for all to see! No joke. I cracked up and busted a gut when I read your comment. Thanks for the street cred support. Pimp my mismatched jammies, yo! And I would add that if you could see me tonight, I’m even worse in an old ratty law school t-shirt (blue) and purple PJ pants with gum drops all over them. I’m one hot mess!
I tried to make marshmallows once….
That is all.
BAH HA HA HA!
Oh my! I’d love to hear about that!
I love homemade marshmallows!! Dipping them in chocolate is such a great idea!
Thanks, Zainab! Chocolate is always a great idea, right?
Oh my gosh, these are super cute! I’m actually not a huge marshmallow fan either – unless it’s in my hot coco. I would definitely dip these in a nice hot mug 🙂
It’s hilarious how many people are not fans of the marshmallow! Thanks, Kathleen!
Haha and I love that you have a pink KA mixer and you are totally rockin’ in your pink jammies 🙂 These are the prettiest marshmallows! The festive sprinkles are the perfect touch!
Ha! Thanks for the pin KA mixer and jammie appreciation! And the marshmallow love too! 🙂
I have never tried making my own marshmallows, but I think you have now inspired me enough. 🙂 These look heavenly, Rachelle. I wish I could grab out these out of my screen right now! Can’t wait to try!
Do it, Anu! It’s totally easy! And fun! Your baby girl will love!
I have always wanted to make Marshmallows, but never did. Totally going to now! These look ADORABLE. I also have a pink (the baby pink) kitchen aid mixer!
Yay! Cheers to pink mixers!
I am really not a fan of marshmallows either, it must be the texture thing. But these look so cute. I think my niece would love to make them with me over Christmas.
Even if you don’t love the marshmallow, I think it would be totally fun to make them with your niece, Dannii!
Hahaha…I love that you called yourself out on your reflection in that photo. Well done! Seriously, though, these marshmallows look perfect! I can see some little gift shop selling these for like $3.95 a pop. And yes, marshmallows are sticky, gooey and take forever to clean up. Love this post, though! Happy Holidays!
OMG! You think I could sell these for $3.95? Maybe I could totally get out from under student loan debt! You are a genius, David! Happy Holidays!
Hahahah! Love this post! I’m with you…December is the most fun and exciting month of the year! And Chris IS one lucky guy and I don’t love marshmallows either but you have convinced me to try homemade! For the children 😉
We all have to take one for the team – or the children, Annie! Do it!
I like marshmallows in small amounts. These are adorable and those candy cane melts are too cute!!
Thanks, Thao! Those candy cane melts were a treasure find!
These are so darned cute! I’ve never made marshmallow before…I think it’s time I give it a try! Btw….love the pink mixer!!!
Thanks, Kathy! My mixer rocks!
I’ve never been brave enough to make my own marshmallows! These are so festive and I should definitely try them just to celebrate the best time of the year 😉
Thanks, Megan! Marshmallows are so easy and fun! Happy Holidays! 🙂
I LOVE making marshmallows – in fact, I made a big batch yesterday! I love that you cut yours into stars – so cute!
Cool! I never knew that you could make homemade marshmallows until last year. It’s so easy and fun! Thanks, Rachel!