This is a fun and easy recipe that anyone can whip together to provide a festive holiday treat for anyone gathering at their home!
Butter or cooking spray for greasing
Powdered sugar for dusting
3 (1/4oz) packages of powdered unflavored gelatin
1 cup cold water divided
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp peppermint extract
Liquid red food coloring
Line 11x7 baking dish with two wide strips of parchment paper leaving the edges hanging over the sides. Grease pan and parchment with butter or cooking spray and dust with even coating of powdered sugar.
Place gelatin and ½ cup water in the bowl of a stand mixer, stir to combine and set aside to soften. Fit the stand mixer with a whisk attachment.
In a small saucepan add the remaining water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring until sugar dissolves. Raise heat to high and boil without stirring until mixture reaches soft ball or 240 degrees on a candy thermometer. You can test the doneness by placing a small drop in a bowl of ice cold water. The drop should form a ball and hold its shape yet still be pliable. Remove from heat.
With the mixer on low speed slowly pour sugar mixture into the softened gelatin until fully incorporated. Increase the speed to high and whip until mixture is almost tripled in volume, about 10-15 minutes. Whisk in extract. Pour mixture into prepared pan and use wet fingers or lightly oiled spatula to spread evenly (mixture will be sticky!). Place drops of food coloring randomly on top of the mixture and use a tooth pick or small knife to drag through the food coloring to create a swirl pattern. Let stand uncovered for at least 4 hours or overnight until the top is no longer sticky and you can gently pull it away from the side of the pan.
Dust a work surface with powdered sugar and place additional powdered sugar in a small bowl. Run a knife around the edges of the marshmallow to loosen. Gently lift using the parchment paper and place on work surface. Grease a sharp knife or pizza wheel with butter or cooking spray and cut into desired shapes. Continue greasing knife as needed. Dip the sides of each cut piece in bowl of powdered sugar.
Can be stored in an airtight container between layers of wax paper for up to 1 month.
About our stylist, Laurel Z:
As a food stylist with over 20 years of experience in the photo and video world, a keen eye for beauty, harmony and mouthwatering goodness is what fuels my creativity on a daily basis.
I have worked on local and national projects ranging from TV commercials and cooking shows to print advertising and editorial work. In addition I am an award winning recipe writer, creating and testing accurate recipes for various assignments. I book local to Chicago & Milwaukee and am available for travel outside these cities.
Over the last several years I have added the title of photographer to my resume, offering photography services to international food touring companies. I have the pleasure of attending these tours alongside the guests while creating a photographic memoir for their keepsake once they return home. You can see examples of my photography work here
I bring a high level of skill and professionalism to every project along with an enthusiasm for each opportunity. My talents in the kitchen coupled with experience in prop and set styling, public speaking, modeling and wardrobe styling allow me to offer clients a unique set of skills they appreciate and often utilize. I love my job and I do it well, I am grateful to have turned a passion into a career.
My client list includes but is not limited to:
Bon Appetit, Kraft, Crate & Barrel, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Corona, Calphalon, KFC, Jimmy Dean, Kenmore, Sartori, Schreiber Foods, Aldi, Kroeger, Taste of Home Magazine, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Digiorno Pizza, Hidden Valley Ranch
What is my.....?
Favorite food: A great burger piled high with toppings. Or steak. Or cheese. Do I have to choose just one?
Favorite place to live: London, UK but home is where I lay my head as I am a vagabond at heart
Kitchen utensil I can't live without: My chef knife. I have an unhealthy fixation with knives, I buy a new one at least every 6 months
Favorite hobby: Gardening. & travel.
Favorite quote: "Always keep a bottle of Champagne in the fridge for special occasions. Sometimes the special occasion is that you've got a bottle of Champagne in the fridge" - Hester Browne