Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows Dipped In Chocolate Recipe 465

Steps:

• Break rounded portion off top of each candy cane, leaving a straight peppermint stick. Reserve sticks for later use. Place tops in resealable plastic bag; pound with meat pounder or rolling pin until coarsely crushed.
• Cover baking sheet with parchment. Melt chocolate as directed on package. Dip marshmallows, one at a time, 3/4 the way into chocolate; sprinkle immediately with crushed candy. Place on prepared baking sheet.
• Refrigerate 30 min. or until chocolate is firm.
• Insert 1 of the reserved peppermint sticks into center of each marshmallow just before serving.

Steps:

• Line a 9x9 inch baking dish with lightly greased foil or plastic wrap. Grease another piece of foil or plastic wrap to cover the top, and set aside.
• Place 1/2 cup of water in the bowl of an electric mixer, and sprinkle gelatin on top of water to soak.
• While gelatin is soaking, combine 1/4 cup of water, corn syrup, and sugar in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil the mixture hard for 1 minute.
• Pour the hot sugar mixture into the gelatin mixture and beat on high for 12 minutes with electric mixer, until the mixture is fluffy and forms stiff peaks. Add vanilla and peppermint extracts, and beat just until blended.
• Pour the marshmallow mixture into the prepared baking dish, using a greased spatula to smooth the top of the candy. Cover the candy with the reserved greased foil or wrap, and press down lightly to seal the covering to the top of the candy.
• Allow the marshmallow candy to rest for 4 hours or overnight. Mix together cornstarch and confectioner's sugar in a shallow dish. Using oiled scissors or an oiled kitchen knife, cut the marshmallow candy into strips, then into 1 inch squares. Dredge the marshmallows lightly in the cornstarch mixture and store in an airtight container.

Steps:

• Lightly spray a 13x9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Sift the powdered sugar and completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining sugar to the bowl for later use. Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the water. 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°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. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vanilla and peppermint extract during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans as follows. When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled (or baking spray) off-set (or regular) spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. If adding the red food color, add some random drops and then swirl with a toothpick. Dust the top with enough of the remaining powdered sugar to lightly cover. (Reserve the rest for later.) Cover the pan with foil and shake up, down and sideways. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight. To cut the marshmallows, I had great success with a very sharp knife, sprayed with non-stick spray. Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board, lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Cut into 1-inch squares using sharp knife, or pizza wheel dusted with confectioners' sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. TIP: I cut strips of marshmallow, the placed them back into the baking pan, dusted with extra powdered sugar. I then gently pressed sugar on all of the freshly cut sides, so that they wouldn't be sticky. That technique worked great! Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. I bagged a few marshmallows in a clear cellophane bag (ordered on Etsy.com) and tied them with ribbon. They are perfect for hot chocolate. TO COAT IN CHOCOLATE: Cut the chocolate into small chunks and place in a glass bowl, over a pot of simmering water. Do not let the bowl touch the water! Once melted, stir to smooth. Have a baking sheet, covered with wax paper on standby. If using cake pop sticks, dip the stick into the chocolate at about 1/4-inch deep. Carefully plunge the stick into the marshmallow. Dip the bottom of the marshmallow to coat the bottom and slightly up the side. Set on the wax paper. Allow the dipped marshmallows to set for at least at hour. I placed 2 to 3 marshmallows in tall cellophane bags and tied them with a ribbon.

Steps:

• Line a 9x9 pan with plastic wrap, leaving enough overhang to cover the top. Spray plastic wrap lightly with cooking spray. Place the 6 tablespoons of warm water in a large bowl, and sprinkle gelatin on top. Let gelatin soften in the water for 5 minutes.
• Combine the white sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water in a tall saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for one full minute, 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Pour the hot syrup over the softened gelatin, and add the salt. Beat at high speed with an electric mixer until the mixture increases in volume and holds a peak, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts.
• Pour into prepared pan, add several drops of red food coloring, and swirl with a toothpick. Cover lightly with plastic wrap, and let stand at room temperature for 4 hours. Cut into 18 squares, using a knife sprayed with cooking spray. Combine cornstarch and powdered sugar in a bowl. Toss cut marshmallows in the reserved powdered sugar mixture. Store in airtight container or resealable plastic bag.