Now that my kids are teens, some of our holiday traditions have sadly disappeared in the mess of homework, sports, and their complicated social lives.  I have to admit my heart pangs a little bit for those simple days of preparation for delivering Valentines to their elementary school classrooms…but with this guest post by my friends Nicole and Sara of Simply Happenstance, I can live vicariously as they share their joy of creating Valentine’s Day marshmallows…aren’t they adorable?

Who doesn’t love marshmallows… especially, homemade marshmallows to sprinkle on top of a rich and foamy cup of hot chocolate? With Valentine’s, just around the corner, I thought the timing was perfect to recreate my favorite marshmallow recipe. This recipe allows for little hands to help cut out the finished marshmallows into heart shapes with small cookie cutters. My kids love assisting me in the kitchen, and especially love seeing the process from start to finish. A fun activity for a day stuck inside with the flu {as it helped to brighten their spirits since they could not play outside}.

{Heart Shaped Marshmallow Recipe}
Adapted by The Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten)

* 3 packages of unflavored gelatin
* 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
* 1cup light corn syrup
* ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
* 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
* Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
* 2 drops of pink food coloring or paste
* 2 small heart shaped cookie cutters {I found mine at Target}

Combine the gelatin and ½ cup cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment for mixing later.
In a pan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and ½ cup of water. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to high and cook the syrup until the mixture reaches 240 degrees with a candy thermometer.

Next, take the candied mixture and slowly pour it into the bowl with the electric mixer. Begin mixing on low {I advise doing all of the above without the kids around, as this part of the recipe is very hot}.
Add in the vanilla and food coloring at this point, meanwhile change the mixer speed to high, mixing for approximately for 15 minutes until the mixture is very thick.
With a sieve, sprinkle confectioner sugar over a non-metal 9×12 inch-baking pan.
I do suggest spraying a paper towel or using a little butter to wipe over the pan first to keep the marshmallows from sticking to the pan.
Place the pan into the oven over night in order for the marshmallows to dry out.

When you wake up in the morning you have magically created the largest rectangle marshmallow you kids have ever seen!
The wait is finally over! Take the mixture out and place it on a large cookie sheet dusted with additional powder sugar for shaping the marshmallows.

Now here comes the fun part for the kiddos! Time to shape the marshmallows……

Or maybe steal a taste of one or two…..

The marshmallows taste very fresh. The kids were proud that we made them with our own hands. Mason and Madeline have enjoyed these little heart shaped masterpieces in their hot chocolate. They are also perfect as a stand-alone treat. Store these fluffy pink hearts in a sealed storage container. They stay fresh for at least a week of enjoyment.

We hope you whip up a batch for a cupid or two! I am sure they will put a smile on anyone’s face. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Enjoy
XO,
Simply Happenstance

Nicole and Sara reside in Southern California. Their blog {Simply Happenstance} is about the simple happenings in life…a return to the old with a hint of the new. They are two mommies who are both married to firefighters, trying to balance life {with their 6 kids between the two of them}. They blog about their shared passion for baking, as well as, highlighting the things in life that are simple, yet beautiful.

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Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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