Making Marshmallows: the illustrated version

My marshmallow post generated quite a few interested comments so I'm making an illustrated version to submit to the blog carnival Make it From Scratch.

Here is the recipe again.

Marshmallows

2 Tablespoons gelatine *

1/2 cup water

2 cups sugar

1 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla or peppermint essence

coconut or icing sugar (powdered sugar if you're Stateside)

1. Combine gelatine and first measure of water. Leave to swell for 10 minutes.

2. Place sugar and second measure of water in a large saucepan. Heat gently, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves.

3. Dissolve gelatine over hot water.

4. Pour gelatine into sugar mixture and bring to the boil. Boil steadily for 15 minutes. Allow to cool until lukewarm.

5. Move children out of the way so you can get at the cake mixer (optional).

6. Beat well until very thick and white.

7. Add vanilla or peppermint essence.

8. Hand beater to anxiously waiting child to lick and get all over face, clothes, floor and any other surface (optional).

9. Pour into a large wet tin. Chill until set.

10. Hand scraper to remaining anxious child to lick clean, get all over face etc etc.

11. Turn out of tin. (I find I have to cut it into squares first, and lever them out with my fingers). Cut into squares and roll in coconut or icing sugar. Keep chilled.

*Note about gelatine: The most common form of gelatine in New Zealand is the granulated form that comes in a box. I know other countries mostly have a sachet form, so the amount you need will be 2x15ml=30ml (the size of the Tablespoon measure used here in New Zealand). I haven't tried this recipe with sheet gelatine or the various vegetarian gelatines. I think agar would be too firm but I stand corrected on this one. My vegetarian friend struggles to find good vegetarian gelatine here, but she got some sent to her from the UK once to make marshmallows and they were delightful.