Hy-Vee Recipes and Ideas

Directions

1. Step1

   Spray an 8x8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Lightly dust with some of the powdered sugar; set aside. Pour 1/3 cup ice cold water into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Add the gelatin and allow to soften; set aside.

2. Step2

   In a 2-quart saucepan, combine 1/3 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup, agave nectar and salt. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cover and let bubble 2 minutes to remove any sugar crystals on side of pan.

3. Step3

   Uncover saucepan. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Cook, without stirring, over medium-high heat until the thermometer registers 240 degrees. Adjust the temperature as needed so mixture cooks at a moderate, steady rate.

4. Step4

   Remove saucepan from heat. Slowly pour the hot candy mixture over the gelatin mixture in the mixing bowl and stir well to combine. The mixture will foam and bubble up in the bowl.

5. Step5

   Mix on low speed. Gradually increase speed to high and beat until mixture is opaque and thick, 8 to 9 minutes total. Add vanilla.

6. Step6

   Continue beating mixture on high until thoroughly combined. The mixture should appear thick, yet have a spreadable consistency.

7. Step7

   Separate marshmallows into three large bowls. Using food coloring, dye 1/3 of the marshmallow mixture red, 1/3 of the marshmallow mixture blue, and keep the remaining 1/3 marshmallow mixture white. Quickly and gently add dollops of red, white, and blue marshmallow into the prepared pan, applying more oil to the spatula as needed. Using a toothpick or large metal skewer, gently swirl the colors together.

8. Step8

   Sift some of the remaining powdered sugar on top. Let stand, uncovered, 4 to 12 hours. Run an oiled knife along edges of pan to loosen sides of marshmallow mixture and invert onto cutting board.

9. Step9

   Using a nonstick perforated cutting wheel or chef's knife, cut marshmallows into 2-inch pieces. (If the knife sticks, sprinkle it with powdered sugar.) Toss the marshmallows in the remaining powdered sugar to coat.