Super Easy Homemade Marshmallows [no corn syrup]

I have been wanting to try to make marshmallows for a long time.  Its been one of the things on my list that I have never really gotten to until this weekend.  I have been working on a super secret project that I will reveal around the Holidays and I needed to test recipes for Rice Krispy treats.  I went to my local small grocery store and what do you know they were completely out of Marshmallows (as in not a single package anywhere --- I went searching).  I then stopped by two local deli's and they also had nothing so I decided to turn lemon's into lemonade (or in this case sugar into marshmallows) and try to make them myself!

This was the best happy accident, because after this first batch I have vowed to never buy store bought again.  They are so soft, fluffy (almost like little pillows) with the most sweet vanilla flavor.  If you had a birthday this weekend and/or you sit near me at work you may be receiving a few of these fluffy sweet treats tomorrow!

I also made this delicious hot chocolate mix (its totally divine).  I was looking for a vessel to showcase these beautiful marshmallows and on a cool brisk fall day hot chocolate just felt right!  This recipe is SOOO easy and SOOO decadent.

Marshmallow Recipe

Ingredients: 

• 2 tbsp gelatin (2 envelopes Knox - which my grocery store had, go figure)
• 1/2 cup + 8 tbsp cold water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup powdered sugar 
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (if you put off making these for a few months, you can make your own extract here)

Directions: 

1. Dust an 8X8 or 9X9 square pan with powdered sugar and set aside
2. In a small bowl, soak gelatin in 8 tbsp cold water, set aside
3. Combine sugars and 1/2 cup of water in a large heavy sauce pan and heat over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved (stir constantly) 
4. Add gelatin and bring to a boil (don't worry if gelatin is hard, add it all at once) 
5. Remove from heat and add into your stand mixer bowl and let cool slightly 
6. Add salt and vanilla extract 
7. Beat with your stand mixer on medium until soft and double in volume (10 to 12 minutes) 
8. Pour into prepared pan 
9. Dust top with powdered sugar 
10. Set aside to "dry" and "harden" on your counter for a few hours (3 to 4 hours) 
11. Cut into squares (as big or small as you want) and roll each piece in powdered sugar 
12. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks 
13. Enjoy ---- with hot chocolate, s'mores, rice krispy treats, alone...whatever you fancy you will LOVE them!