Visit our November/December issue of www.cookingbright.com to read our article about creative, budget savvy ways to make and give holiday gifts this year. When thinking of Christmas gift ideas consider simple options like homemade marshmallows- like the recipe below. Add a mug and jar of hot cocoa mix and you have a gift that is sure to keep almost anyone warm on a cool winter’s night.
Marshmallows
Pour gelatin into the bowl of your mixer and add ¾ cup of water, allow to soften. In a small sauce pan stir together 2 cup sugar and ½ cup water, bring to boil and cook until registers 240º with a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and stir into gelatin mixture. Stir in the salt and mix on high with the whisk attachment for 5 minutes. The mixture should then be cool and look like marshmallow fluff. Add the extract and mix and additional 5 minutes on high. Line a 9×13 baking dish with plastic wrap, oil the plastic, then pour marshmallow into pan and smooth. Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 4 hours. Cut into desired shapes using scissors, a knife, or a cookie cutter. Dust with powdered sugar and store in an airtight container.
** For best results do not attempt to make marshmallows on a humid day.
Hot Cocoa Mix
5 cups dry milk powder or non-dairy creamer
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
2 TBSP instant coffee powder
2 TBSP ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
Combine and mix all ingredients. Store in an airtight container. To make add 1/4 cup of mix (or more if preferred) to 1 cup boiling water. Stir to dissolve and serve with marshmallows.
Alternate recipe: Omit powdered milk/creamer and use hot milk instead of water when making.
