Vanilla Bean Marshmallows

Homemade marshmallows are easier to make than you probably think and they are SO much better than store bought! They’re also gluten free, so they’re a great treat for friends and family who have a gluten intolerance or Celiac disease. I like to use vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract in this recipe so that you can see the vanilla bean flecks in the marshmallows.

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Tools

Stand mixer with whisk attachment (If you’re in the market for a stand mixer this is the 6qt. Kitchenaid one I have and it is amazing! I think it might actually be indestructible)
Small saucepan
Candy thermometer (I have this Taylor one and I love it!)
9X13 pan
Small bowl
Spatula
Small mesh sieve for dusting the pan and the marshmallows

Ingredients

3 packets of unflavored gelatin (¼ ounce each)
1 cup cold water, divided
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
12 ounces granulated sugar (about 1.5 cups)
1 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract) – I always use this Nielsen-Massey vanilla bean paste
¼ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
Nonstick spray

Directions

Put ½ cup of cold water in the bowl of your stand mixer, along with the gelatin.

Combine the corn syrup, granulated sugar and the other ½ cup of water in a small saucepan. Over medium heat, cook the mixture until it reaches 240°F (about 7-8 minutes). Once the mixture reaches 240°F, immediately remove from heat and turn on the stand mixer to low speed with the whisk attachment.

With the mixer on slow speed, slowly pour the hot mixture down the side of the bowl into the gelatin, and then turn the mixer to high speed. Whip the mixture for approximately 12-15 minutes. Add in the vanilla bean paste during the last minute of mixing.

While the mixture is whipping, prepare the 9×13 pan. First, combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch in a bowl. Next, spray the bottom and sides of the pan with nonstick spray and then dust liberally with some of the powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture. Reserve the rest of the powdered sugar mixture for later.

After the marshmallow is done whipping and you have mixed in the vanilla bean paste, pour into the prepared pan. Use a lightly oiled spatula to spread the marshmallow mixture evenly into the pan.

Then, dust the top with more of the powdered sugar mixture. Reserve the rest of the mixture for later – you will need it after you cut the marshmallows.

Let the marshmallows sit uncovered for at least 4 hours (I usually leave them overnight). It’s important to leave them uncovered because they are still warm at this point and you don’t want condensation accumulating on top because you will have a giant sticky mess!

Once the marshmallows have set, it’s time to cut them. Turn the marshmallows out onto a large cutting board. I usually put a piece of parchment beneath the marshmallows to prevent them from sticking as I cut.

Use a pizza wheel to cut it into strips. It helps to spay some oil onto a paper towel and then rub it onto the pizza wheel to prevent it from sticking.