I think of these as seasonal flavored marshmallows but I’m pretty sure they’ll be wonderful any time of year. But really, what’s better in the cold winter months than hot chocolate with marshmallows? I decided to make three separate flavors to give away in goody bags at Thanksgiving this year. I made pumpkin spiced marshmallows, cardamom marshmallows and cinnamon marshmallows. This recipe is incredibly flexible and you can use just about any spice or extract you want. How about peppermint or nutmeg marshmallows? Have fun with it!
You’ll need a stand mixer and a candy thermometer. A pizza cutter is useful for cutting even marshmallows but you can use a regular knife. I’ve used gelatin sheets but you can easily substitute them with powdered gelatin.
Flavored Marshmallows
Ingredients
- 12 Gelatin Sheets***
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup confectioners sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- for cardamom marshmallows: 1 tablespoon cardamom
- for cinnamon marshmallows: 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- for pumpkin marshmallows: 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice & optional 1 tablespoon pumpkin powder
Instructions
- Mix the confectioners sugar and cornstarch. Set aside.
- Grease a 9x13 baking dish (I use cooking spray with flour) and line the bottom with parchment paper, allowing the paper to hang over two sides. Lightly grease the top of the parchment paper.
- Soak the gelatin sheets in a large metal bowl filled with ice water and set aside.
- Add 1/2 cup of corn syrup to a stand mixer with the whisk attachment.
- In a medium saucepan, gently stir together the sugar, 1/2 cup corn syrup and 1/2 cup water. Turn the heat to medium high and attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan.
- Set up a double boiler: bring some water to a boil in a small to medium saucepan. Drain the water from the bowl of gelatin and gently squeeze the softened sheets to remove excess water. Place the bowl on top of the saucepan and allow the gelatin to melt while stirring with a heat resistant spatula.
- Add the melted gelatin to the stand mixer and turn the speed on low.
- When the sugar mixture reaches the soft ball stage (235-240 degrees F), remove from the heat. Slowly and carefully pour the hot sugar down the side of the mixer bowl. When all of the sugar has been added, turn the mixer up to high and allow it mix for around 5 minutes, or until it begins to turn white and fluffy.
- Now is the time to add your flavors. Turn the mixer down to medium and slowly add the spice, vanilla and salt, making sure to scrape down the side if anything gets stuck. Continue to beat the mixture until it's thick.
- Quickly pour the mixture into the prepared pan. You don't need to even out the tops, it should fall into place and smooth out on it's own.
- Allow the marshmallows to cool for 6 hours or overnight.
- Dust the top of the marshmallow with the confectioners sugar/cornstarch mixture. Using the sides of the parchment, remove the marshmallow from the pan and place it on a cutting board.
- Use a pizza cutter to create 2 inch by 2 inch marshmallows (or whatever size you prefer). As you cut them, dust the sides with the cornstarch mixture to prevent sticking.
- Store them in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Recipe Troubleshooting
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I’ve always wanted to make marshmallows! These are beautiful. Your blog is beautiful!
I have always been a bit scared of making my own marshmallows as I can imagine the mess I’ll create in the kitchen :) but I think I’m going to have to give it a try soon.
It’s a surprisingly clean process! Just have your pan ready to go when the marshmallow is done mixing.
I made marshmallows once! Yum!
Wow, you make your own marshmallows! They look and sound amazing!
Your photography is gorgeous, I love how simple & clean it is, no distractions. I’m actually going to be trying to make some marshmallows today from a different recipe I saw, hopefully mine turn out as beautifully as yours did! Wish me luck :)