Kids Make Gifts! Marshmallows
Learn how to make marshmallows–make them heart shaped, just in time for valentines day.
A few reasons to LOVE this Valentine’s project:
- Learn how to make marshmallows at home
- Explore flavorings like mint extract and rose water
- Melt hearts with this adorable gift packaging
Materials and tools:
Stand mixer with whisk attachment OR Hand mixer and a large bowl
Small pot with lid
Large spoon
Small candy thermometer
Small bowl
Large baking sheet
Spatula
Parchment paper
Small heart cookie cutter
Large labels from Evermine (pictured is the Katniss style in shape 16 in a custom color)
Hang tags from Evermine (pictured is the Katniss style the small oval shape in the sea glass color and in the deep coral color)Tip: Order labels and tags ahead of time so you’ll have them on hand when your marshmallows are ready.
- 3 tablespoons gelatin
- 1 cup cold water, divided
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 5 drops rose water (optional) OR 1/2 teaspoon mint extract (optional) OR 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For pink marshmallows: 1/2 teaspoon beet powder (optional) or a few drops of red food coloring (optional)
- For light mint colored marshmallows: 3 ½ teaspoons spirulina powder (optional) or a combination of blue and green food coloring (optional)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup corn starch
- Place ½ cup cold water and gelatin in your mixing bowl and set aside.
- Combine sugar, corn syrup, salt and ½ cup cold water in a pot and place over medium-high heat. Attach the thermometer on the side of the pot and stir constantly until the temperature reaches 240˚F, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat as soon as it reaches 240˚F and set on a heat-safe surface close to your mixing bowl.
- Start mixing the gelatin on slow speed, carefully pour the hot sugar mixture into the side of the mixing bowl.
- Increase to high speed and mix for 12-15 minutes.
- Add any colorings or flavorings during the last minute of mixing.
- While your marshmallows are mixing, combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl.
- Lightly oil a large baking sheet and dust it with the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture. Remove any excess powder and return it to the small bowl.
- Once the sugar and gelatin have whipped up to a thick consistency and is only slightly warm and you’ve added any flavorings or colorings, stop the mixer and turn the marshmallow onto the powdered baking sheet. Spread it out as evenly as possible on the sheet with a spatula.
- Dust the top of the marshmallows with the powder mixture.
- Let your marshmallows set overnight or 24 hours.
- Lightly oil your heart-shaped cookie cutter and then dust with the powder mixture, before cutting out your first heart marshmallow.
- As you cut out each marshmallow heart, dust the sides with powder and shake off any excess.
- Re-dust your cookie cutter each time you press it into the marshmallow sheet, and continue until you’ve collected as many hearts as possible from your marshmallow sheet.
- Store your marshmallows at room temperature in an airtight container.
To turn your marshmallow hearts into adorable Valentine’s day gifts:
- Visit evermine.com to pick out a rectangle label in shape 16 or 17 and hang tags in shape 09, 23 or 1B. Have fun choosing your own words and maybe even a picture of yourself!
- Place a large label on an empty sealable sandwich bag.
- Fill the bag carefully with your adorable handcrafted marshmallows.
- Use a hole punch to make a hole in the band of plastic above the seal, and tie on a hang tag.
- Your gift is ready to give to your loved ones!
Auntie Angie is a part-time blogger and a full-time creator and crafter. She adores sticky things in tubs and bottles, but regrets sticky things on doorknobs and pencils. At Evermine, Angie shares projects inspired by her nieces and nephews that spark joy, imagination, and generosity.