What's on my table today? Hot chocolate and homemade marshmallows!
This is the first of what will be over 30 craft or cooking projects, all using cookie cutters! Every project will use a cookie cutter in one way or another. For most of them I've selected my favorite cookie cutter, the Scottie Dog! I hope you will be able to join in the fun and make some (or all) of the projects. And my desire to inspire you to think like a cookie cutter, making a "cookie" daily in a fast and fun way. Many of the projects are easy enough to do with children, though various precautions should be taken (ie: scissors, pins or hot glue guns).
PROJECT #1: COOKIE CUTTER HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS
Nothing beats a homemade marshmallow. Nothing beats a Scottie Dog homemade marshmallow! Here's the recipe, which I adapted from the one found in the "Gooseberry Patch Christmas 2010" magazine. (This is not the Gooseberry Patch "Christmas Book 11", although the recipe may be included in that book.) I've tried making marshmallows before but never have had any luck until I made this one, which does not use corn syrup as most marshmallow recipes include. This makes a nice fully and light marshmallow, perfect on top of a mug of hot chocolate or maybe sandwiched between Hershey's chocolate and a couple of graham crackers. This recipe is easy to follow and does not require any candy making equipment.
Fluffy Marshmallows
2/3 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoon cornstarch
1 cup cold water, divided
2 packages unflavored gelatin
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Line an ??????? jelly roll cake pan with aluminum foil, extending foil up the sides of the pan; grease the foil with cooking spray, such as "PAM". In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and cornstarch; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup water and the gelatin; set aside. In a heavy medium saucepan, combine remaining 1/2 cup water and sugar over medium-high heat. Stirring constantly, bring mixture to a boil and boil 2 minutes. Whisk hot sugar mixture into gelatin mixture, blending well. Chill in refrigerator 10 to 15 minutes. Beat at highest speed with an electric mixer about 5 minutes or until mixture turns white an becomes thick like meringue. Beat in vanilla. Pour into prepared pan. Chill about one hour or until set.
Use the ends of the foil to lift marshmallow from pan, setting on a firm surface. Use your favorite cookie cutter dipped in hot water to cut out your shapes. I used my Scottie Dog cookie cutter as well as a smaller sized Angel cookie cutter. The vintage Scottie Dog cookie cutter isn't thick enough to go all the way through, so just imprint the top, then use a sharp knife dipped in hot water to finish cutting it out.
Coat with the cut marshmallows in the powdered sugar mixture. Another easier way to coat the cut marshmallows is to put the powdered sugar mixture in a zip lock bag, then add the cut marshmallows to shake on the coating. Store in an airtight container. Makes about a dozen, depending on what size cookie cutter you use. The tray can also be cut in small squares.
Do not double the recipe, if you want more, make them in batches. This recipe makes about 20 cut marshmallows depending on the size cookie cutter you use.
Now to answer your question (yes, I read minds): Yes I drank MOST of this hot chocolate.
Next question: Yes, I am bouncing off the walls! Time for my daily run, maybe I can burn off some of this sugar.
I keep the homemade marshmallows in a tall seal able glass container. They look so pretty in there. Can you see the Scottie Dogs? Also, in the next size done jar I keep the hot chocolate mix. I use a vintage silver tablespoon to scoop out the mix. So fun to drink hot chocolate on cold days like today.
May you have a blessed day. Hugs, Heidi
(Linked to Susan's 121st Tablescape Thursday , and Foodie Friday here, as well as Cindy's My Romantic Home Show and Tell Friday here.)
