For the Littles in Our Lives.

If you want to be a hero in your kid's eyes - or maybe this only works with mine, because they're all such little piggies....

Homemade marshmallows is where it's at.

And these little babies being a two-step process, is also where it's at in this Mama's book. I like things that happen in stages. It lowers the chances of epic messes in my household.

So, here's what you need and what you need to do.
Amazingly easy and super cute kidlet gifts, to boot!
It's win-win for everyone, I tell you!

Okay, where was I....

All you do is this:

Take 4-.25 oz each pkg. unflavored gelatin and sprinkle these over 3/4 cup of water and 1 Tablespoon of pure vanilla extract in a bowl. Let sit and wait.

Boil 1 3/4 cups sugar, 1 cup light corn syrup, 1/2 cup water, and 1/4 tsp. kosher salt in a pot over medium-high heat. Once it comes to a boil, cover and boil for two minutes, and then uncover and keep boiling for about ten minutes. If you have a candy thermometer, let it cook until it reaches 250 degrees. I just do ten-ish minutes.

Remove pot from heat and slowly drizzle over your now very gelatenous mixture that you have waiting for you on the cupboard. Here's the only work involved: You need to mix this mixture (blend this batter? beat this baby?) until the mixture is thick and the bowl is pretty cool to the touch. About 15 minutes.

If you have a Kitchen Aid mixer, you're in luck. If you are me and you only have a plain old beater....you're not in luck, and you must use those arm muscles that the good Lord gave you. The recipe also says to put a towel over the bowl. I find this to be a bit cumbersome, but it does help keep the splatters at bay.

When you're pooped, divide the marshmallow batter between two lightly greased 8x8 pans - or if you are me, one 8x8 pan and one 9x9 pan. Spread the mixture to the corners of the pan and let sit for at least 4 hours to "cure" - or overnight.

I always choose the overnight option, because I'm lazy.

Next day - or four hours later, if you like to be a show-off - turn marshmallows onto a cutting board that is lightly coated with cooking spray. Cut them into 1 inch cubes - or whatever size brings you happiness - and toss in a bowl of 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1/3 cup cornstarch, and a few hefty shakes of cinnamon if you feel like walking on the wild side. I recommend the walking. Be crazy.... Shake off the excess, and store in airtight container for up to a week.

After a week, they still will taste okay, but they will lose their white-ish color.

Share, share, share!
Give, give, give!
Eat, eat, eat!
And save some for your Christmas morning hot cocoa.

Here's to spreading the Christmas love, Baby....