Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Hot chocolate spoons and homemade heart marshmallows are the perfect gift for friends and family. Homemade marshmallows use simple ingredients and are easier to make than you might think. The taste of homemade marshmallows is unbelievably rich compared to the store-bought variety. You'll make them again and again and you'll be amazed every time, we promise!
Directions for Hot Chocolate Spoons:
We used wooden spoons from the shop and had the kids decorate them using ink pads and letter stamps. Melt down chocolate chips (we used the microwave) and using a small metal spoon fill the wood spoon with the melted chocolate. Tap the filled chocolate wood spoon on the counter to get the chocolate spread evenly. Add some cut up marshmallows or heart sprinkles. Stick in the refrigerator to harden. Warm up a cup of milk and stir with your chocolate spoon.
Directions for Marshmallows:
We have tried different recipes over the years and we always go back to our favorite, Martha's Marshmallows. This recipe is easy to work with and delicious. Even if you don't like marshmallows, you'll love these! A stand mixer works best because of the lengthy beating time.
Ingredients:
Spray a 9-by-13-inch (or bigger if you want thin marshmallows)
glass baking dish with cooking spray. Line with parchment or foil, allowing a 2-inch overhang on the long sides. Brush parchment or foil with oil and set aside.
Put 3/4 cup cold water into the bowl of an electric mixer and sprinkle in the gelatin. Let sit while you cook the rest of the ingredients.
Put granulated sugar, salt, corn syrup, and 3/4 cup water into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Once sugar is dissolved stop stirring and cook until mixture registers 238 degrees on a candy thermometer which will take about 8 to 10 minutes.
Using your whisk attachment, beat hot syrup into gelatin mixture. Gradually raise speed to high and beat mixture for 15 minutes or until it is very stiff. It will look gray at first but keep mixing and it gets white and thick. Beat in vanilla. Pour mixture into prepared dish, and smooth with an offset spatula or a piece of parchment paper sprayed with cooking spray. Set aside, uncovered, overnight or until firm, at least 3 hours.
Put some confectioners' sugar onto a work surface and unmold your marshmallows onto the sugar. Use a small heart cookie cutter (or any shape of you choice) to cut out. You can also use a sharp knife and cut into 2-inch squares. Dip your cookie cutters into sugar or spray with cooking spray to help with the sticking. Sift remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar into a small bowl, and roll each marshmallow in the sugar to coat.
These cuties are so good. Your friends and family will love them! You can also dip them in chocolate for an extra special treat.
Enjoy!
Wood Spoons, Bakers Twine, Paper Straws are from The Sugar Confetti Shop.
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