Home-made Marshmallows

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil, for brushing
4 packages of unflavored gelatin
1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar

1. Brush a 9 by 13 inch glass baking dish with vegetable oil. Cut a piece of parchment of wax paper large enough to cover the bottom of the dish and to overhang the longer sides. Place the parchment in dish, brush with oil, and set aside.

2. Pour 3/4 cup cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer, and sprinkle the gelatin on top. Let stand for 5 minutes

3. Place 3 cups granulated sugar, the corn syrup, salt, and 3/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over high heat, and bring to a boil. Once you turn on the heat, do not stir sugar mixture, it changes the chemistry of it. Insert a candy thermometer, and cook until the mixture reaches soft-ball stage (238 degrees), about 9 minutes

4. Using the whisk attachment, beat the hot syrup into the gelatin on low speed. Gradually increasin speed to high, beat until mixture is very stiff, about 12 minutes. Beat in the vanilla. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, and smooth the surface with an offset spatula. Set dish aside, uncovered, until marshmallow becomes firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.

5. Place 1 cup confectioners' sugars in a fine strainer, and sift onto a clean work surface. Invert large marshmallow onto the sugar-coated surface, and peel off the parchment paper. Lightly brush a sharp knife with vegetable oil, and cut the marshmallow into 2-inch squares. Sife the remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar into a small bowl, and roll the marshmallows in the sugar to coat.

6. Place marshmallow in s'mores, hot chocolate, or mouth. ENJOY!!