“Marshmallow World” by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin

“It’s a marshmallow world in the winter

When the snow comes to cover the ground

It’s the time for play, it’s a whipped cream day

I wait for it the whole year round.”

Homemade marshmallows? Yes! Are they worth the effort? Absolutely! Plus, they’re really not difficult to make—it’s not rocket science! The spongy, sweet flavor complements a chocolate dip bath, a sandwich of two graham crackers roasted over an open fire accompanied by a chocolate slab neighbor, afloat a steaming mug of cocoa and so on! Here’s the recipe for the base—the dipping and toppings are left only to your imagination!

Ingredients:

3 packages unflavored gelatin

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Directions:

Combine the gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and allow to sit while you make the syrup.

Meanwhile, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to high and cook until the syrup reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat.

With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the sugar syrup into the dissolved gelatin. Put the mixer on high speed and whip until the mixture is very thick, about 15 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix thoroughly.

With a sieve, generously dust an 8 by 12-inch nonmetal baking dish with confectioners’ sugar. Pour the marshmallow mixture into the pan, smooth the top, and dust with more confectioners’ sugar. Allow to stand uncovered overnight until it dries out. Turn the marshmallows onto a board and cut them in squares. Dust them with more confectioners’ sugar.