I'm a cooking goddess!!!

Well, not really, sigh. But I kind of feel like one...I made home made marshmallows! And they actually turned out like....marshmallows! Made a batch and brought them into work with hot chocolate for my co-workers. Course the wintry atmosphere was rather ruined by the sudden warm spell we're having, but we pretended. Anyway, marshmallows turn out to be quite easy, fun and messy to make. If you're interested in giving it a try [experiment, try a flavor other than vanilla..]...

2 1/2 T. plain gelatin
1 C. water, divided
1 1/2 C sugar
1 C. light corn syrup
1/4 t. salt
2 T. vanilla
Powdered sugar as needed

Whisk gelatin and 1/2 C. cold water together in bowl, let stand for 30 minutes. Over low heat mix 1/2 C. water, sugar, corn syrup, and salt until sugar is melted. Brush sides of pan with wet brush or wet paper towel to disolve sugar crystals. Heat over high heat without stirring until mixture reaches 244 degrees (firm ball) on candy thermometer. Slowly pour hot mixture into gelatin while mixing on med speed. Mix on high speed until mixture is about tripled in volume, approx. 10-15 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Turn mixture into 8x11 glass baking dish generously dusted with sifted powdered sugar. Sift more powdered sugar over top. With wet hand smooth mixture flat. Sift more powdered sugar over top. Let sit out overnight, uncovered. Cut into squares or desired shapes with warm dry knife. (As knife gets sticky it will help to dip it in powdered sugar). Dip cut edges of marshmallows in powdered sugar.