Copycat Marshmallow Peeps Food

MARSHMALLOW PEEPS!

Steps:

• Line the bottom and sides of a 13- by 9-inch baking pan with plastic wrap.
• Oil and then liberally dust bottom and sides with some powdered sugar.
• Place 1/3 cup cold water in a mixer bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over the water's surface.
• In a heavy saucepan with a tight fitting lid, add sugar, corn syrup, salt, and remaining 1/3 cup water and stir to dissolve sugar.
• Cover the pan, place over moderately low heat.
• Remove cover after 4 - 5 minutes. The steam will have caused any sugar crystals to dissolve and the syrup will be bubbling lightly.
• Increase the heat to high and boil the syrup, without stirring, until it reaches 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
• Remove from the heat immediately.
• Slowly and carefully, pour the syrup into the gelatin while the mixer is beating constantly at medium speed.
• When all of the syrup has been added, increase speed to high and whip for approx 10 minutes until the mixture is lukewarm and very white, and the consistency of marshmallow cream.
• Add the vanilla extract and a drop or two of food coloring if desired. Mix well.
• Pour the marshmallow mixture into pan; smooth the top surface and sprinkle liberally with colored sugar.
• Let the pan stand, uncovered, at room temperature to dry out. Depending on humidity, this may happen in several hours or take up to 8 hours. The longer you let it set, the easier the marshmallow sheet will be to cut.
• When ready for cutting, invert the pan of marshmallow onto a clean cutting surface; remove the plastic wrap and coat the top with colored sugar.
• Use cookie cutters to stamp out your peeps (or other shapes) and toss them in a bowl of colored sugar to coat evenly. If the cookie cutter gets sticky, wash it and lightly coat with vegetable oil.
• Use chocolate sprinkles or melted chocolate to form an eye on peeps.
• Store the marshmallow peeps in an airtight container.
• Makes about 80 marshmallows.

COPYCAT MARSHMALLOW PEEPS RECIPE

Steps:

• 1. Lightly coat a silicone mold or small pan with non-stick spray. In a small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup cold water and sugar. Whisk together over medium heat. Once sugar is dissolved, stop stirring and cook until mixture reaches softball stage (between 235-240°F). While sugar mixture is boiling, sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 C cold water in a large, deep heatproof bowl (a stand mixer bowl is perfect for this). Let stand for about 1 minute, until it softens. Once the syrup reaches softball stage, remove from heat. Turn mixer on low and carefully pour hot syrup into into gelatin, avoiding the beaters and sides of the bowl. Increase to medium-high speed and beat for 8-10 minutes, until mixture thickens, turns white and can hold soft peaks. Immediately and quickly spoon into prepared mold or pan (the mixture will set quickly so don't wait long). If you used a pan, cut desired shapes out of marshmallow with lightly greased cookie cutters. If you used a mold, wait a few minutes and then pop them out of the mold. Drop marshmallows onto a plate covered with colored sugar and move them around to coat each side.