MAKING MARSHMALLOWS

Fluffy mittens. Red Cheeks. Making snowmen. Long afternoons outdoors. Winter. Nothing is sweeter than the return to the nest and sit by the fire in winter. Or just cuddle under a throw and watch the snow fall outside. And drink hot coco. Hot coco with homemade marshmallows. Heart shaped marshmallows. My own recipe, one of my favorite things to make. A family favorite. Follow along to make your very own, winning the hearts of everyone in your family. Just in time to enjoy winter!

Just something to know ahead of time…

Know there will be some waste.

This can be messy.

Follow along for the best marshmallow confection recipe-

Marshmallow Hearts

4 Envelopes Unflavored Gelatin

1 Cup Cold Water, Divided

2 Cup Granulated Sugar

½ Cup Light Corn Syrup

2 Large Egg Whites, Room Temperature

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

Powdered Sugar

Oil the bottom and sides of a 13 x 9 x 2 jelly roll pan. Dust pan with powdered sugar.

In the bowl of a stand mixer sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over ½ cup cold water. Let Sit.

In a large saucepan cook on very low heat until combined, sugar, ½ cup cold water and corn syrup.

Once everything is combined, stop stirring, remove spoon and increase heat to medium.

Use a candy thermometer and let cook until it reaches 240 degrees.

Remove from heat and pour over gelatin. Use caution at this step, when the hot sugar mix is combined with the gelatin it may instantly bubble up. Start mixing on low, then gradually increase mixer speed to high.

You might like to use a dish cloth to cover the mixer to prevent splatter.

When the sugar mix starts to triple in size (about 10 minutes), beat egg whites in a separate bowl. Add the vanilla flavoring to the egg whites.

Turn off stand mixer. Add egg whites to the sugar mix in the stand mixer and quickly combine.

Working very quickly, spoon out marshmallow fluff into the prepared jelly pan with a spatula. Fill the pan and spread evenly. You have seconds to do this. Don’t worry about making the surface super smooth. To avoid a big mess it is important to do this step quickly before the fluff starts to get stringy. Once it reaches the stringy stage you just have to stop. It won’t get better. And try not to scrape the last of the remaining fluff out of the bowl. It will become a big sticky mess. There will be some left over fluff. Sorry.

Sift a layer of powdered sugar over the entire top of the marshmallows.

Place uncovered tray in refrigerator overnight.

Remove tray from fridge. Using a 1 ½” heart cookie cutter, cut heart

shapes out of the marshmallow tray.

Place the hearts into a zip lock bag with a little powdered sugar and gently shake the sugar over the hearts. You can store the marshmallows about two weeks.

These little hearts are much more than a sweet confection. They will warm their way to your heart. Winter is so much easier with homemade marshmallow hearts. Find your favorite person and your best throw and snuggle in. Let it snow!

  

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WINTER WHITE LIGHTS

Someone once said “if you build it, they will come” but they forgot to include “light the way and they will get there faster”. Not to mention, safer. Humm… So, picture this: January, your warm and cozy home softly lit by a row of white lights lining the path welcoming you and your guests inside. Idyllic. Sounds beautiful. And it can be just that. Here is my take on the classic white paper bag luminary for a unique and creative (and of course, simple) way to light the path to your door. Any month, any time of year, any time of day. Light it and they will come. 

This is what you will need-

2 Yards White Felt

Thread

Pins

Pencil

Ruler

Scissors

Sewing Machine, or Needle and Thread

Card Stock

Battery Operated Votive

Two yards of felt will yield about 6 felt bag luminaries, with a little bit left over.

Lay the felt down on a flat work surface, smooth the wrinkles out. Double layered.

Measure and mark a 20” x 14” rectangle.

Cut out the rectangle.

You will have two rectangles.

Fold each rectangle in half, the fold should be on the 14” length. See above.

Pin the side and the bottom together with pins.

Stitch by hand or with a sewing machine down the side then the across the bottom. Secure the beginning and end of all seams by sewing a back stitch.

Lightly press open both seams.

On the card stock, measure a 2” square, and cut it out.

Lay the 2” square in the corner of the bottom and side seam.

Trace around the square leaving a pencil mark on the felt.

Lay the 2” square on the opposite corner and trace a line around the square.

Flip the felt over.

Repeat tracing the square on both corners.

If you turn the felt as shown, you will have tracing lines like above.

With the bottom seam facing you, fold the felt to make a triangle. Press with fingers to flatten. 

Pin the triangle in place, make sure to keep the seam allowances flat.

Stitch across the pencil lines.

Trim off excess.

This is how your “bag” should look now.

Turn right side out.

Gently press with an iron on a low setting sides and bottom to resemble a paper bag. Repeat cutting and sewing steps to make more, if you like.

Add battery LED string lights.

Or add a battery operated votive.

Add a laundry clip. just for fun...

Line these little cuties anywhere your would like to light a path...

Or add a little warm love to a special spot...

If you light it, they will come. Welcome home...

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