Difficulty: Intermediate
Did you know Marshmallows are filled with additives and preservatives and can send out little people crazy? Marshmallows can be made in a beautiful and nourishing way with just a few simple ingredients.
You do need a temp thermometer for this one as it’s super easy to get the temp wrong.. If the temp of the sweetener goes too high the marshmallows will split. If it’s too low they won’t be fluffy! You must make sure your thermometer is calibrated too and you can do this by popping it into boiling water and it should read 100 degrees.
Traditionally the marshmallow herb is a beautiful demulcent which means it can soothe our gastrointestinal tract making it a great herb for tummy upsets and indigestion. You can buy traditional marshmallow root herb as health food shops and it can be drunk like a tea - or steeped in warm water to make this recipe given some extra nutritional value. This is not an essential part of this recipe but I love to include it because it makes them filled with a little extra goodness.
Gelatin is also great for gut health and probiotics help our kids healthy gut bugs. My fave gelatin is Great Lakes Grass fed gelatin. Make sure your honey is a light coloured honey.
TIP - Get probiotics from a good health food shop. You want at least 50 billion CFU strength, multiple strains and one without artificial sweeteners, colours, preservatives, gluten, wheat, dairy or soy. Just pure probiotics - more nourishment less junk. The ones in Coles and Woolies are not worth getting. If you are going to buy - buy quality.
Good luck and don’t forget to TAG us #123nourishme! We can’t wait to see your creations!
Ingredients
- 1 tbs marshmallow root (optional)
- 1 1/2 cup filtered water (split into 2 cups)
- 4 tablespoons of gelatin (I use great lakes grass fed gelatin)
- 1 tsp organic vanilla extract (not essence - that stuff is nasty!)
- 1 cup organic maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 tsp himalayan sea salt
- 1 tsp shelf stable probiotics powder or 2 -4 capsules open and emptied (optional)
- Magic Sprinkles (Optional)
- Coconut Oil for Tray (Optional - can just use parchment paper)
- Okay you need a high powered mixer/food processor/thermomix And a small saucepan and a tin lined with parchment paper.
Directions
- Place marshmallow root in warmed filtered water like you are making a herbal tea and let sit for at least 15 minutes. Strain making sure you have one full cup of water remaining. If omitting marshmallow root just use filtered water.
- With coconut oil grease pan and line with parchment paper. You can spray paper lightly with coconut oil also.
- Pour half your water into mixer/food processor/thermomix and lightly sprinkle gelatin over the top evenly evenly to bloom. This means to soak up the water and needs to be sprinkled lightly. The gelatin should not sit for more than 5 minutes.
- Pour other half of water in small saucepan and add maple/honney vanilla extract and salt bring gently to the boil without letting it foam up. Bring to 240 - 242 degrees F (115 degrees C) If you don't get it hot enough the marshmallows will not go fluffy. If you get it too hot they will crack.
- Turn your food processor on to a medium speed and gently and slowly pour the maple/honey mix in. The slower you can do this the better the consistency will be.
- Once the maple/honey mix has combined turn to a high speed until the mix has tripled in volume. This could take anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes depending on the strength of your food processor. You will know when it's changing when it turns white, thickens and goes a bit fluffy. If using a thermo place the butterfly in and whip for 10 minutes on speed 4 after the sweetener has been added.
- Add the shelf stable probiotics and mix for another minute.
- Pour into lined tin smoothing out and place in the fridge for minimum of 4 hours (overnight is perfect)
- Remove parchment paper and cut into shapes storing in airtight container. Can be dipped in Magic Sprinkles, Coconut or icing sugar.
- Can also be turned pink by adding a drop of beetroot juice in the final stages of mixing.
