Winter Toasted Marshmallows Food

TOASTED MARSHMALLOW SYRUP

Steps:

• Thread the marshmallows onto 2 disposable chopsticks and cook over the open flame of a stove until toasted all over, about 2 minutes. (Alternatively, line the baking sheet of a toaster oven with foil coated in nonstick spray, add the marshmallows and broil, flipping once, until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.)
• Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to low and add the toasted marshmallows to the saucepan. Cook, stirring continuously and turning down the heat if the mixture starts to bubble up around the edges of the saucepan, until the marshmallows are completely dissolved into an opaque mixture, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer and whisk in the vanilla extract and salt. Cool completely Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS

Steps:

• Combine the gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and allow to sit while you make the syrup.
• Meanwhile, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to high and cook until the syrup reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat.
• With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the sugar syrup into the dissolved gelatin. Put the mixer on high speed and whip until the mixture is very thick, about 15 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix thoroughly.
• With a sieve, generously dust an 8 by 12-inch nonmetal baking dish with confectioners' sugar. Pour the marshmallow mixture into the pan, smooth the top, and dust with more confectioners' sugar. Allow to stand uncovered overnight until it dries out.
• Turn the marshmallows onto a board and cut them in squares. Dust them with more confectioners' sugar.

TOASTED-MARSHMALLOW TOPPING

Steps:

• Stir corn syrup, 1 cup water, and sugar in medium saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Attach candy thermometer to side of pan. Boil syrup without stirring until thermometer registers 238°F, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush, about 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place egg whites, cream of tartar, and vanilla in bowl of heavy-duty mixer fitted with whisk. When thermometer in syrup registers 230°F, beat whites at medium-low speed until peaks form. When thermometer registers 238°F, pour hot syrup down sides of bowl, beating until marshmallow topping is shiny and thick, about 2 minutes.
• Scrape topping into glass pie dish. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with inverted bowl (plastic wrap will stick). Let stand at room temperature. If topping hardens, microwave in 10-second intervals before browning.
• Preheat broiler. Broil marshmallow topping until surface is golden brown, about 1 minute. Serve immediately.