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Ina's Toasted Coconut Marshmallows

We’re serving up fresh healthy gift ideas every day from now until December 12. Catch up on the previous gifts here.

If you’re a fan of fluffy marshmallows, try making your own  — you’ll never want the bagged ones again! Ina Garten likes to top them with crunchy pieces of toasted coconut. We’ve got a few more ideas to transform this childhood favorite into an amazing holiday treats.

Ina Garten’s Homemade Marshmallows
This recipe makes a large batch of marshmallows – cut into 40 pieces and they have less than 60 calories each.

Ingredients:
3 packages unflavored gelatin
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Directions:
Combine the gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and allow to sit while you make the syrup.

Meanwhile, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to high and cook until the syrup reaches 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat.

With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the sugar syrup into the dissolved gelatin. Put the mixer on high speed and whip until the mixture is very thick, about 15 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix thoroughly.
Pour the marshmallow batter in an 8 by 12-inch nonmetal pan and smooth the top of the mixture with damp hands. Allow to dry uncovered at room temperature overnight.

Remove the marshmallows from the pan and cut into squares. Roll each piece carefully in confectioners’ sugar. Store uncovered at room temperature.

Gift-Giving
These confections make a lovely gift all by themselves tucked into small bags. To jazz things up, sprinkle with toasted coconut like Ina or pack them up with these other goodies

• Hot cocoa mix and mugs for a cozy bedtime snack
• Make a s’mores kit with dark chocolate and graham crackers
• Peanut butter and whole grain bread for a more sophisticated version of peanut butter and fluff sandwiches

TELL US: Have you made homemade marshmallows?

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition. See Dana’s full bio »

More Homemade Gift Ideas:

• Make Your Own Custom Spice Blend
• Homemade Vanilla Extract
• Spotlight Recipe: Macerated Cherries
• Herb’s Puerto Rican Eggnog
• Photos: Better Holiday Baking

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