Homemade Marshmallows

Hell yes, I said homemade marshmallows.
I'm not playin' around.

Marshmallows bring up all kinds of happy memories for most people...making s'mores around the campfire, hot cocoa on a snowy day, Peeps on Easter morning, fluffernutter sandwiches for lunch...
I've been too intimidated to try making homemade marshmallows, but I've always wanted to.

Here's the thing: they aren't as difficult as they seem.

A lot of the recipes out there seem to be really complicated, and I was having trouble deciding on one. Cindy from Rosehaven Cottage posted her Grammy's marshmallow recipe for me, and I knew that I had to try it.

The recipe was simple and I loved the vintage(?) feel of how it was written. I'm not sure how old Grammy was when she made marshmallows, but I kind of picture her making these in the 50's, wearing cat-eye glasses and saddle shoes, maybe while watching I Love Lucy.

Grammy was a little vague in her recipe (ha ha), so I have rewritten the recipe with a little more direction.
This is how simple it is:
-You make a very hot simple syrup.
-You pour it over a mixture of gelatin and water.
-You beat the mixture in a stand mixer for 20 minutes.
-You pour it into a dish and let it cool.
-You cut it into squares.

Making the marshmallow was a lot of fun, and I'm ready to make more. It would be fun to add different flavors - extracts, juices, etc...I'm thinking peppermint marshmallows for Christmas. Maybe I'll even make a Halloween marshmallow.

Here's the only thing that bothered me. Just a small thing. I don't know if this has bothered anyone else, but I could smell and taste the gelatin a bit. I'm not a big fan of gelatin, especially the smell. But I don't know. I think I might be really sensitive to it?
It wasn't a big issue, because other than that, I loved the homemade marshmallows! Much better than the store-bought version.

I baked a few things with the mallows, so stay tuned!

Thanks Cindy, for the recipe! If anyone tries these, let me know how it goes.
UPDATE: Cindy posted more about this recipe, if you want to read about it.
Go here.

Homemade Marshmallows (Recipe by Emily, but adapted from Grammy)
Printable Recipe

Butter, for greasing & confectioners' sugar, for coating
2 tablespoons gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup boiling water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Butter an 8x8-inch square baking dish. Line with waxed paper, then butter waxed paper, and lightly coat with confectioners' sugar.

Disolve gelatin in cold water, in the bowl of a stand mixer, using whisk attachment.

In a large saucepan, over medium high heat, whisk together granulated sugar, boiling water and salt; bring to a boil, whisking frequently. Stop whisking, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until a thermometer reads 236 degrees F.

Pour syrup slowly over gelatin. Add vanilla extract, and beat on medium speed, for 20 minutes, or until thick and cool.

Butter a spatula, and scrape marshmallow cream into prepared dish; smooth the surface. Freeze overnight, then remove waxed paper from dish, lifting out marshmallow. Peel waxed paper off, then cut into squares, on a cutting board, using a buttered-sharp knife. Lightly dust marshmallows with additional confectioners' sugar.

Makes 36 mallows (This depends on how big you cut them)