Celestial Vanilla Marshmallows

Have you ever wanted a treat that feels like a soft cloud melting in your mouth? That’s exactly what these Celestial Vanilla Marshmallows taste like. They’re fluffy, light, and sweet in the best way.

I made them the other night, and honestly, I couldn’t stop eating them. The vanilla flavor is simple but so comforting. It’s like biting into a tiny piece of happiness.

What I love most is how easy they are to share. They’re perfect for hot cocoa, s’mores, or just snacking on. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll want to make them again and again.

So, let’s jump in and make these marshmallows together. They’re fun, quick, and taste amazing. Ready? Let’s go.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

– Reader Favorite: These Celestial Vanilla Marshmallows are consistently praised for their light, airy texture and delicate vanilla flavor. Perfect for any occasion.

– Soft & Fluffy: Thanks to the use of unflavored gelatin and corn syrup, these marshmallows have the perfect consistency that’s not too chewy and not too airy – just right.

– Simple Ingredients: The ingredients for these marshmallows are simple, easy to find, and affordable.

– Customizable: Feel free to skip the edible glitter or swap in different flavors or colors to fit the occasion.

– Perfect for Gifting: These marshmallows are perfect for gift-giving – just package them up in a cute box or bag and they make a lovely homemade present.

Required Kitchen Tools

Before we begin, make sure you have the following kitchen tools at your disposal:

• Stand Mixer (or Hand Mixer): This is essential for whipping the marshmallow mixture to its fluffy texture. A stand mixer with a whisk attachment is ideal.
• Candy Thermometer: This helps ensure that the sugar syrup reaches the right temperature to create the perfect texture.
• Large Mixing Bowl: For mixing the gelatin and water.
• Saucepan: To cook the sugar syrup.
• 9×13-inch Baking Pan: This will serve as the mold for your marshmallows.
• Parchment Paper: Line your baking pan with parchment paper to make removing the marshmallows easier.
• Sifter or Fine Mesh Strainer: To evenly dust the marshmallows with the cornstarch and confectioners’ sugar coating.

Ingredients

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need to make these delightful marshmallows:

• 3 packages of unflavored gelatin: This is the key ingredient that gives marshmallows their signature light and airy texture. It’s the magical ingredient that holds everything together.
• 1 cup of ice-cold water, divided: Cold water helps dissolve the gelatin and keeps it from setting too quickly.
• 12 ounces of granulated sugar: The main sweetener in this recipe, sugar gives the marshmallows their sweetness and structure.
• 1 cup of light corn syrup: This adds a smooth, chewy consistency to the marshmallows and prevents them from becoming too firm.
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt: Salt balances the sweetness and brings out the flavor of the vanilla.
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract: This adds that deep, aromatic vanilla flavor that is essential to any marshmallow.
• 1/4 cup of confectioners’ sugar: This sugar is used to dust the marshmallows once they’re made, preventing them from sticking to each other.
• 1/4 cup of cornstarch: Combined with the powdered sugar, cornstarch gives the marshmallows a smooth finish and stops them from sticking.
• Edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles (optional): For that celestial touch, sprinkle edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles on top for an enchanting, starry appearance.

Variations for Celestial Vanilla Marshmallows

Want to get creative with this recipe? Here are a few fun variations to try:

• Flavor Infusions: While vanilla is classic, you can experiment with other extracts. Try adding peppermint extract for a refreshing twist, or almond extract for a more nutty, aromatic flavor.
• Colored Marshmallows: Use a few drops of food coloring in your marshmallow mixture to create colorful marshmallows. You can even create layered or swirled colors for a more festive effect.
• Marshmallow Pops: Once the marshmallows are cut into cubes, you can skewer them onto sticks for fun marshmallow pops. Dip them in melted chocolate or sprinkles for an extra sweet touch.
• Marshmallow Fondue: If you’re serving these marshmallows at a party, they’re perfect for fondue. Melt some chocolate and allow your guests to dip these marshmallows into the chocolate for a fun treat.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Celestial Vanilla Marshmallows

Making marshmallows from scratch might sound intimidating, but it’s surprisingly simple. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you create Celestial Vanilla Marshmallows at home.

1. Prepare the Gelatin

Start by pouring 1/2 cup of ice-cold water into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the three packages of unflavored gelatin evenly over the water. Let the gelatin sit and “bloom” for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the gelatin to absorb the water and soften, which will help it dissolve more easily when you add the hot syrup.

2. Make the Sugar Syrup

While the gelatin is blooming, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of cold water, sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a medium saucepan. Stir the mixture together and place it over medium heat. Attach your candy thermometer to the side of the pan, making sure it doesn’t touch the bottom of the pan.

Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until it reaches 240°F (115°C). This is the “soft-ball” stage of sugar syrup, which is perfect for marshmallows. Once it hits this temperature, remove the pan from the heat immediately.

3. Whisk the Gelatin and Sugar Syrup

With the stand mixer on low speed, carefully pour the hot sugar syrup into the blooming gelatin mixture. Once all of the syrup has been added, increase the speed to medium-high and continue whipping for about 10-15 minutes, or until the mixture becomes thick, glossy, and cool to the touch. This is the marshmallow fluff we’re aiming for!

4. Add the Vanilla

Once the marshmallow mixture has reached the right consistency, add in the vanilla extract. Whisk to combine and make sure the vanilla is fully incorporated into the fluffy mixture.

5. Prepare the Pan

While the marshmallow mixture is being whipped, line your 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This will help ensure the marshmallows are easy to remove once they’ve set. You can lightly grease the parchment paper with oil or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.

6. Pour the Marshmallow Mixture Into the Pan

Carefully pour the marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top of the marshmallow mixture. Make sure it’s evenly spread in the pan, and don’t worry if the top isn’t perfectly smooth – marshmallows are supposed to be a little rustic!

7. Coat the Marshmallows

In a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar and cornstarch. Sift this mixture evenly over the top of the marshmallows, making sure to coat the entire surface. This coating will help prevent the marshmallows from sticking together.

8. Set the Marshmallows

Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight to fully set. If you’re in a rush, you can place them in the fridge for 2 hours, but letting them sit at room temperature will give them the best texture.

9. Cut the Marshmallows

Once the marshmallows have set, turn the pan upside down onto a clean surface. The marshmallow slab should come out easily. Using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors, cut the marshmallows into squares or rectangles. Make sure to dust the knife with more powdered sugar to avoid sticking.

10. Add the Celestial Touch

For a touch of magic, sprinkle edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles over the marshmallows. This will give them a fun, celestial look that is perfect for any special occasion or just to brighten up your day.

Serving and DecorationHow to Serve Celestial Vanilla Marshmallows

These marshmallows are perfect on their own, but there are countless ways to enjoy them:

• S’mores: The classic way to enjoy marshmallows – toast them over a fire and sandwich them between graham crackers and chocolate.
• Hot Chocolate: Drop a few marshmallows into a cup of hot cocoa for the ultimate indulgence.
• Marshmallow Pops: Skewer the marshmallows and dip them in melted chocolate for a fun treat.
• As a Gift: Package the marshmallows in a jar or cute box and give them as gifts during the holidays or for birthdays.
• As a Snack: Sometimes, the simplest way to enjoy these marshmallows is just to eat them straight from the pan.

Storing Celestial Vanilla Marshmallows

To keep your marshmallows fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Be sure to layer parchment paper between the marshmallows if they are stacked to prevent them from sticking together. You can also freeze marshmallows if you’d like to store them for longer periods – just make sure they are in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Nutrition with Table Format

Nutrient	Per Serving (1 Marshmallow)
Calories	25
Fat	0g
Carbohydrates	6g
Sugars	5g
Protein	0g
Sodium	5mg

Conclusion

Making marshmallows from scratch is an incredibly rewarding experience, and these Celestial Vanilla Marshmallows are sure to impress your friends, family, and guests. With their soft, fluffy texture and heavenly vanilla flavor, they’re perfect for a variety of occasions – from casual snacks to festive treats. And with the added star-shaped sprinkles or edible glitter, they bring a little bit of magic to your everyday life. Whether you’re enjoying them in a cup of cocoa, giving them as gifts, or simply savoring them on their own, these marshmallows are bound to become a new favorite in your kitchen.

So what are you waiting for? Get started on this fun, easy, and delicious recipe today – your taste buds will thank you!