Yes it’s Easter Sunday and this sounds absolutely crazy but here’s why it’s not
1) If you are stuck bringing dessert, this would be all you have to bring
2) Homemade marshmallows taste waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayy better
3) Got kids? This is a great way of keeping them BUSY!! They will help (grin), assist (giggle) and generally drive you insanely crazy but these are worth the effort
So when I saw this article from Faith in the Kitchn from TheKitchn.com She is A MAZE ING!!! Ok? I am subscribed to her newsletter (along with Sara Kate) and I see things I want to share but then again.. it’s if I could would do this.
Note you could borrow the equipment required because I don’t have a standing mixer or a candy thermomemter– though my mom used to have one. However with the colors– go wild! Go crazy! Do it really purple or neon yellow or turquoise!
Photo Courtesy of Faith in the Kitchn!
How To Make Marshmallow Peeps
Makes about 12 Peeps
Check out Faith’s recipe page on her site so that you can see all the photos.
What You Need
Ingredients
7 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin (I used 3 Knox gelatin envelopes)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Butter for greasing pans (and your fingers)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Sanding sugars
Food coloring
Smoked sesame seeds (for eyes of Peeps)
Equipment
Stand mixer
Medium–sized pot
Candy thermometer 2 cake pans (or a pie pan or sheet pan would do fine)
Cookie cutters
Instructions
1. Place the contents of the three gelatin envelopes in the bottom of the bowl for the stand mixer. Add 1/2 cup of cold water and set aside while preparing the next part of the recipe.
2. Prepare the candy mixture: In a medium-sized pot, heat the sugar, corn syrup, salt and vanilla over high heat. When mixture has come to a full rolling boil, stop stirring, but swirl the pan occasionally by the handles. Put the thermometer in the pot and bring the mixture to 240°F. This will take about 7 minutes.
3. Carefully pour the sugar/corn syrup mixture into the bowl of the stand mixer. Add another 1/2 cup of water and use the stand mixer’s whisk attachment to beat on high speed for about 12 to 15 minutes total. (This image shows the mixture after 5 minutes of whisking.)
4. After 10 minutes of whisking: The marshmallow is coming together, but not quite there.
5. After just under 15 minutes of whisking: The marshmallow is ready to go, or add food coloring as I did.
6. Add food coloring: I divided my marshmallow into two parts, for two colors. It took about 12–15 drops of food coloring to achieve the pale pastel color I wanted.
7. Pat the marshmallow into prepared pans: Lightly grease two pans or one larger one and pour the marshmallow into the pans. Greasing your fingers can help because things get really sticky.
8. Clean up tray: I found it helpful to have one pan dedicated to putting my sticky utensils down on, because this really is a messy, sticky job.
9. Cover the marshmallow sheets for about 4 hours or overnight: Then when you’re ready, just turn the marshmallow out onto a flat surface and gather the cookie cutters.
10. Cut out your Peeps: Combine a little cornstarch and powdered sugar and dredge the cookie cutters in between cuts to make things smoother and less sticky.
11. Apply the sanding sugar: Dip your finger into a little water and coat the entire marshmallow. Dredge the marshmallow carefully in colorful sanding sugar. Let air dry on a cooling rack.
12. For the eyes: Use a little dab of corn syrup and a few smoked sesame seeds to create eyes on your creatures. I found a tip of a toothpick worked perfectly to apply the corn syrup and sesame seeds.
13. Enjoy your Peeps: Wrap up with cellophane, tie with a ribbon and delight your friends.
Peeps will keep covered for about a week
One of the things that Faith talks about is trying again to create more unique animals– and I agree. I would think that one could find antique cookie cutters, bargain cookie cutters and truly unusual ones availabe via catalogs, online or cooking stores. Better yet, partner up with a baker and split the cost. While she mentions all kinds of sugar sparkled animals, I was thinking of flowers, tigers, penguins and snowmen and fairies. Just a whimsical thought– since I do make cookies, I don’t use cookie cutters! However the taste of homemade marshmallows would be SENSATIONAL– unlike any peep you would ever taste!
Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com
Check out NARS Spring 2012 collection at Beauty.com!
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