HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS........It's a Marshmallow World Alright!

It's a Marshmallow World alright!

Lately I have seen Homemade Marshmallows everywhere!

I have seen them more in the past few months, than I have my entire life.

Heck, I didn't even know you could MAKE Marshmallows!

I've seen these wonderful clouds of perfection everywhere;  in little gift shops, on cooking blogs, in specialty boutiques, I mean all over the place!  Even Hallmark stores have them!


It's like KRAFT accidentally leaked out the recipe, and everyone is making them now!

Oh I wish I had this recipe last weekend when we went Christmas Light viewing.  All I had in my hot chocolate mug was Peppermint Schnapps.  Sure wish I had these squares of wonder last weekend!

Look at how wonderful they would have been!

If you are so inclined, and want to make YOUR hot chocolate extra wonderful this holiday season, then I suggest you try one of these Homemade Marshmallow recipes from my some of my favorite food blogs. 

There are several to choose from so here are the ones that I had selected from my Marshmallow World:

http://notwithoutsalt.com/2008/10/09/pieces-of-heaven/


3 packages unflavored gelatin


1 cups cold water, divided

12 ounces granulated sugar, approximately 1 1/2 cups

1 cup light corn syrup (or glucose)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 vanilla bean, seeds removed

1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

Nonstick spray


Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the water. Have the whisk attachment standing by.In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.

Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Add the vanilla seeds. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans as follows.

Combine the confectioners’ sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Line a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with aluminum then spray with pan spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel or sharp knife dusted with the confectioners’ sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. (I suggest doubling the recipe – yes, they are that good.)


Here are some more links to recipes and wonderful photos of homemade marshmallows.

Oh my!

http://www.visionsofsugarplum.com/2008/09/homemade-marshmallows.html

http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/06/springy-fluffy-marshmallows/

http://www.slashfood.com/2006/10/24/how-to-make-homemade-marshmallows/

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Homemade-Marshmallows-2

http://www.sugarlaws.com/homemade-marshmallows

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

My husband is such a good sport.

If you knew him, you would find this extremely and amazingly hysterical.

He's a man of little words.  I've seen him at parties and get-togethers and literally have never heard him utter one word.

I rarely hear him laugh, and when he does, it's stifled.  And he only has half-a-handful of close friends.

So when you see these photos, you'll understand how much this blows me away and makes me laugh uncontrollably.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties are quite popular. They have been going on for years and years. You attend the party, wearing the ugliest Holiday sweater you can find, and go home with a prize for the ugliest sweater.  I hear these parties are quite popular across the nation.  I had no clue this type of party existed until about 4 years ago.

These so-called ugly sweaters are quite sought after on eBay. This time of year they can go for 60 dollars or sometimes way more.

So every year, I try to find these "ugly" sweaters, and make hubby try them on, and do a photo shoot for my eBay auctions.

This is the result: (Please remember, this is a guy that never ever brings attention to himself in any way-shape-or-form and finds it painful to bring on conversation to people he really doesn't know)

I have to stop because I can barely see, for the tears in my eyes from all the laughter.

If you happen to have a Santa hat, and an Ugly Christmas Sweater, then watch out, because I believe your alter ego could come out!

Here's to the upcoming Holidays and all the shy boys out there!