Skip the store and make fluffy marshmallows at home. They’re made a million times better with Birthday Cake Vodka and sprinkles.
5 years.
That’s how old Culinary Cool is.
Seriously. Where has the time gone? I need to know.
When I started this blog 5 years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. It’s pretty evident how clueless I was when I look back on the photography from the first year or so. Man, I need to go do some updates.
But here we are, 5 years later, going strong. And my photography skillz (not a typo) have drastically improved – *Happy Dance*.
It’s been a theme since blogiversary 1 to use sprinkles to celebrate. I almost ditched the idea, but quickly came to my senses.
Also, I felt compelled to use up the Birthday Cake Vodka that’s taking up precious real estate in my liquor cabinet. Gotta make room for some Tennessee Moonshine soaked cherries!
If you’ve never made homemade marshmallows before, you’re missing out. They’re a bazillion times better than store-bought, they melt just as good and are super easy to make – honest!
And when you add in some booze and top them off with sprinkles, you’ve got yourself one hell of a treat.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tbsp canola or vegetable oil
- 1 cup cold water divided
- 3 tbsp unflavoured gelatin typically 3 envelopes
- 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla paste or 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups sugar
- 2/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cake flavoured vodka
- sprinkles
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1/2 cup corn starch
Instructions
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with 1 1/2 tbsp oil. Make sure you oil all the way up the sides.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add 1/2 cup cold water and stir in the gelatin and vanilla. Let sit for 15 minutes
- In a medium saucepan, add remaining 1/2 cup water, sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring only until the sugar has dissolved. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan, making sure it does not touch the bottom. Boil for 7-8 minutes, or until the mixture reaches 247-250 degrees F.
- Take the pan off the heat and remove the thermometer. Turn the mixer to medium-low speed, and slowly pour the hot syrup mixture into the gelatin in a slow, steady stream down the side of the bowl. Gradually increase the speed to medium-high and whip for about 2-3 minutes (to allow the mixture to cool slightly).
- Pour in the cake vodka. The marshmallow fluff with become a little watery and less thick. I like to add the vodka once the syrup has cooled slightly so the booze doesn't all burn off.
- Continue to whisk for another 15 minutes or so, or until the mixture is thick.
- Using a spatula, pour the marshmallow fluff into the prepared 9x13 inch pan (it should come about halfway up the pan). I find that, with the addition of 1/2 cup extra liquid from the vodka, the fluff pours a bit easier and you don't need to fuss with it as much to get it into the pan evenly. Add sprinkles to the top of the marshmallow fluff.
- Let the marshmallows sit, uncovered at room temperature for at least 6 hours (preferably overnight).
- Once the marshmallows have set and you're ready to cut them, combine icing sugar and cornstarch in a shallow dish and stir to combine. Lightly dust your work surface with this mixture. Using a spatula, release the marshmallows from the pan and out onto your work surface. Once on the counter, flip it over so the sprinkles are on top. Using a sharp knife, cut into desired shape. Once they are cut, you can toss them in the icing sugar mixture, or (because I like the sprinkles to be visible) just dab the cut edges and the bottom into the icing sugar. Tap off excess.
- Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Nutritional calculation was provided by WP Recipe Maker and is an estimation only. For special diets or medical issues please use your preferred calculator
Congrats on 5 years. That’s, like, 20 in blog years or something! 🙂
These look like a delicious way to celebrate such a big milestone… I mean, boozy marshmallows are way cooler than a birthday cake, right? I normally don’t buy flavoured vodkas, but I think I may have to make an exception to whip up a batch of these.
Thanks Isabelle!
I love making marshmallows at Christmas time but I should really remember to make them other times through the year, like birthdays. And boozy marshmallows sound awesome! Happy blogiversary!!
Thanks Megan! Marshmallows are great any time of year, especially summer! Homemade marshmallows for s’mores is the only way to go
They ARE so much better than store bought. I wish I had thought of making some for our family reunion this weekend. My sister brought the maple flavoured ones from Superstore and they aren’t too bad, of course they don’t have birthday cake vodka in them so…
happy blogiversary!
Congratulations on your 5 years Blogiversary! Time flies! Even me, when I look back at our pics, I see the difference, but in the end, the important thing is the growth. I love the idea of making your own marshmallows, if they’re boozy, and have sprinkles even better 🙂 .
Congrats on 5 years of blogging!! I love looking back on my early posts because it’s rewarding to see how far I’ve come. I also cringe at how bad the photos were though so I try to limit how often I do it ????
Congrats on 5 years of blogging dear!! They are really so much better than store-bought. I love the sprinklers. Loved it completely. thanks for sharing this recipe with us dear. Best wishes and Regards.
Hey, Nicole, this recipe is really awesome. I will try this recipe asap for my hubby’s birthday with the same decoration cz he loves marshmallows. Thanks for amazing this recipe with all of us. Much love and Regards.