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gelatin

Healthier Homemade Marshmallows

July 14, 2020 by Dafna Leave a Comment

I have a confession to make. I am, and forever will be, a sucker for marshmallows. As with all things in life, I believe that for optimal health, there needs to be balance. And while most of my day is filled with lots of greens, fresh fruit, lean proteins, and various superfoods, there is ALWAYS dessert. (This is basically my definition of life balance in a nutshell.) Normally dessert is some tasty treat that is gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free. And I usually feel completely satisfied with these healthified desserts because they taste as good (usually even better) than their conventional counterparts (like these Thin Mints). But for me, with marshmallows, a super clean healthy version just will not do. I know there are tons of sugar free, carb free, 2 ingredient concoctions out there, but can we even call them marshmallows at that point?

These Healthier Homemade Marshmallows are chewy and sticky but light, airy, and fluffy. Basically, everything you would want and expect from a marshmallow. They are surprisingly easy to make and the taste of a homemade marshmallow is infinitely better than anything store bought. Plus they contain no preservatives and made with only 7 ingredients. Once you make these, I suspect you will be just as hooked on the homemade version as I am. And these will majorly up your s’mores game.

While I have made these marshmallows “healthier” by using less cane sugar than traditional white sugar and replacing corn syrup with agave, I would not call these “healthy”. Which I know is a completely relative term to each individual body. But sometimes arbitrary labels are necessary to get points across. These Healthier Homemade Marshmallows have less overall sugar than traditional recipes and contain no corn products. I swap the typical cornstarch and powdered sugar dusting for tapioca flour. This also keeps the sugar content lower and they are still just perfectly sweet. If you do not have (or prefer not to use) tapioca flour, I provide a sub in the recipe notes below.

To make these you will need a candy thermometer. If this is your first time using one, don’t let this deter you from make these. Homemade marshmallows are surprisingly easy to make. And once you master the plain marshmallow a world of flavor additions is open to you! For July 4th I sprinkled crushed freeze dried blueberries and raspberries into the mallow. The tartness of the berries was a delicious complement to the sweet marshmallow goodness. I use and love this brand of gelatin (great quality and reasonably priced) but any will do. Just be sure you are using gelatin and not collagen, there is a difference.

corn syrup free, gluten free, grain free, nut free

If you make this recipe, please feel free to leave a review or rating down below. And I’d LOVE to see your creation! Please tag me on Instagram @freshlydafna and use #freshlydafna.

Print

Healthier Homemade Marshmallows

Homemade marshmallows are surprisingly easy to make and SO much better than store bought. These are made without corn syrup and processed white sugar and instead sweetened with agave syrup and cane sugar. The result is a fluffy, light, and airy marshmallow that is pure heaven.

gluten free, dairy free, nut free

Course Dessert

Ingredients

  • tapioca flour for dusting (about 1/2 cup) see notes for subs
  • coconut oil (about 2 tbsp) or cooking spray
  • 1 cup water divided
  • 2 tbsp + 1 tsp gelatin
  • 1 3/4 cup cane sugar
  • 2/3 cup agave or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp vanilla
  • 1/8 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish by greasing with coconut oil or cooking spray ensuring the bottom and sides of the dish are well oiled. Add 2 tbsp of tapioca flour to the dish and shake it all around the pan so the entire dish is well dusted. Add an additional tbsp of tapioca if needed.

  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, with whisk attachment, gently stir 1/2 cup of water with the gelatin and let stand.
  3. Arrange a candy thermometer on a small pot and add the remaining 1/2 cup of water, cane sugar, and agave and cook over medium high heat.
  4. Cook the mixture until it reaches 240 degrees (this will take a few minutes, but be sure to watch the pot). Once it reaches this temperature, promptly remove from the heat.

  5. Turn the mixer to low and while running, slowly (and carefully) pour the hot sugar mixture down the side of the mixing bowl into the gelatin. Once sugar mixture has all been poured into the bowl turn the mixer to medium high speed.

  6. Whisk until the mixture is white, thick, and fluffy, about 5-6 minutes.

  7. Add in the vanilla and salt and whisk again on high for another 2-3 minutes. The mixture should be glossy, thick, and still slightly warm.

  8. Using a lightly greased rubber spatula pour the marshmallow into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.

  9. Dust the top with 1 tbsp of tapioca flour and let set for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.

  10. When ready to slice place 2 tbsp of tapioca flour in a small bowl. Use a well greased pizza cutter or knife to slice the marshmallow into desired shapes and roll edges of each marshmallow in the tapioca flour to coat. Shake off any excess powder left on marshmallows. Use additional tapioca flour if necessary to coat all the mallows.

Recipe Notes

Traditionally, marshmallows are dusted in a mixture of cornstarch and powdered sugar. This is used to reduce the exterior stickiness of the marshmallows so they can be handled. To reduce the sugar content in these Healthier Marshmallows I use tapioca flour to achieve the same results. If you don't have/don't want to use tapioca flour make a mixture of 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1/4 cup powdered sugar for dusting. 

These marshmallows use agave instead of corn syrup and have less sugar than traditional recipes so there is more moisture and less crystallization making these a bit more sticky. I keep them in the freezer for optimal flavor and texture. But worry not, you'll be able to eat these straight out of the freezer! And I actually think they taste even better (as if that was possible) than room temp marshmallows. 

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Filed Under: Dessert, DIY Treats Tagged With: chocolate free, dairy free, dessert, gelatin, gluten free, grain free, marshmallow, nut free, s'mores, summer

Paleo Marshmallows! (gluten free, naturally sweetened)

July 1, 2018 by Dafna Leave a Comment

As a kid and well, up until very very recently, marshmallows were a deep source of sugary satisfaction. The fluffy white, pillow-y treats satiated me in a way no other sweet treat could. And during the summer months any opportunity for a bonfire, to me, just meant a chance to roast marshmallows. There’s something so magical about pushing a marshmallow into an open fire from a safe distance and watching it transform into a gooey, crispy, skewered mess of deliciousness. But as I have started to really tune into my diet and eliminate the sugar from my diet, the marshmallow indulgences lessened to only two special occasions a year, Thanksgiving (ahem, my sweet potato casserole) and Fourth of July.

But with the creation of this blog, came a motivation to create a recipe for marshmallows using only natural ingredients and is even a bit healthy! And truly, these marshmallows, while yes having some sugar from the coconut syrup, do not feel like a massive indulgence from the processed sugars in the store bought ones an even reap the health benefits of the gelatin.

I use and love Great Lakes gelatin, it comes from grass-fed cows and is at a really good price point for the high quality. Any gelatin will do, but collagen will not work. I used coconut syrup, but feel free to use any other type of liquid sweetener such as honey or maple. Just keep in mind the color may be a little off white.

paleo, gluten free, dairy free, naturally sweetened

Print

Paleo Marshmallows

These homemade marshmallows are a delicious healthified version of the classic fluffy treat. They use only natural ingredients and even have some health benefits from the gelatin. 

freshlydafna.com

dairy free, naturally sweetened, paleo

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 3 tbsp gelatin
  • 1 cup coconut syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2-3 tbsp tapioca starch

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix 1/2 cup water with the gelatin and let bloom for about 5 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, in a medium pot, over medium high heat, bring to a boil the remaining 1/2 cup of water and the liquid sweetener.

  3. Using a candy thermometer, let boil until it reaches 240 degrees (about 10 minutes). 

  4. Meanwhile, prepare an 8x8 baking dish. Coat with coconut oil and add in 2-3 tbsp of tapioca starch and shake it around the bottom and up the walls of the baking dish so it it well coated.

  5. Once it reaches 240 quickly remove the pot from the heat. Turn the mixer (with the whisk attachment) to medium and slowly pour the sugar mixture down the side of the bowl. Once all the mixture is in the bowl turn the speed up to high. 

  6. Continue to whisk until it triples in volume and is glossy, white, and fluffy. About 8 minutes. Then add in the vanilla and salt and mix on high again for another 2 minutes. 

  7. You will know it's done when you pull out the whisk and the marshmallow forms stiff peaks.

  8. Using a rubber spatula pour the mixture into the prepare pan and spread out into a evenly distributed layer. 

  9. Let rest for at least 8 hours in a dark and cool place. Then cut into desired shapes and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

If you make this recipe I'd love to see your creation! Please either post a comment or picture on this page or if you're posting on Instagram please tag @freshlydafna and use #freshlydafna

If you make this recipe I’d love to see your creation! Please either post a comment or picture on this page or if you’re posting on Instagram please tag @freshlydafna and use #freshlydafna.

 

What’s with the affiliate links? I am not sponsored by any company or product. I am always trying out new products and really read labels carefully to ensure I’m selecting quality foods from companies with good practices. The links are to help show you which products I’m currently loving. If you do choose to purchase these products, please use the link to help support Sunny Side Greens.

Filed Under: Dessert, DIY Treats Tagged With: chocolate free, collagen, dairy free, dessert, gelatin, gluten free, grain free, marshmallow, naturally sweetened, paleo, refined sugar free, summer, thanksgiving

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Dafna Ben-Zeev

Dafna Ben-Zeev

Freshly Dafna
Hi there! I'm Dafna! I'm all about piles of veggies, healthified baking, breaking a sweat as often as possible, yoga, the beach, snacks, farmers markets, and dogs. And I'm so excited to share my recipes with you!Read more...

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