Raspberry Marshmallows!

I saw another blog that showed some awesome marshmallows, and I thought....hmmm.....I could try that!

I searched the www for recipes and found many were the same and I wanted to make raspberry flavored marshmallows. So I decided to try Martha's recipe for strawberry marshmallows and substituted raspberry jam instead.

This is the marshmallow in the pan cooling. I didn't take any pics of the steps leading up to this..... I guess I should work on that!

Once they have set a few hours or overnight.... turn the pan out onto a powder sugared board and slice with an oil covered knife (because this stuff is sticky!)

Then cut into squares and toss in powdered sugar, so they don't stick to each other.

Aren't they pretty?

Here's a close up of the finished product.

Me personally, not so much a marshmallow fan....but you have to try homemade marshmallows! Imagine one of these floating in your hot chocolate.....or making a raspberry marshmallow smore! I think everyone should try these at least once!
I'd love to try other flavors and different recipes....have one to share?

Valentine's Treats 2010

These are the sugar and shortbread cookies that I made for Valentine's Day this year.

I put them in these cute "bouquet" boxes with matching ribbons.


I also made raspberry marshmallows and homemade caramels! I love it when I get the chance to try new sweets!

Hope your Valentine's Day was SWEET!

Make Your Own Candy Corn!

When I saw a candy corn recipe (along with her totally cute pictures!)posted on Cakespy....
I knew I HAD to make my own!

It is really a pretty straight forward recipe, not a ton of ingredients and a short list of steps. Cutting each individual "kernel" can be a bit time consuming......but it was worth the effort. I thought I would share my tips on making candy corn in case you want to make your own!

Make sure you don't overcook!
I followed the recipe that says to bring to a boil and then lower to medium heat and cook for 5 minutes. (I had a candy thermometer and checked the ball stage and it went to a hard ball.)
I think my boil was too hot! Once I combined the ingredients and turned it out of the sauce pan to cool....I realized it was the wrong consistency.

So I made a second batch and this time I followed the candy thermometer instead of the clock. When it reached the soft ball stage I pulled it from the heat.You can see the difference in the candy.....soft ball on left ~ hard ball on right.
You don't want to play hard ball! Hee Hee
So I think it is worth it to pick up a candy thermometer if you don't have one. They aren't expensive and it can save you the guessing game and a second batch of candy!

Once the candy has cooled, divide into three equal parts and color with your choices. I used the familiar colors of white, orange and yellow. *But just think of the holiday options you have~ Christmas (red, green and white), Fourth of July (red, white and blue), Easter (pastels).....you get the idea!
I was even thinking of making some in our school colors!

Roll each color separately into their own rope then press them together side by side. I smoothed the top with my fingers. This will help the sections stick together. The candy should not be overly sticky but they will adhere to each other.
The bigger your ropes, the bigger your kernels.

Then taking a sharp knife, you want to cut alternating triangles out of your rope. So some will have white tops and yellow bottoms, while the others will have yellow tops with white bottoms. Once cut, I smoothed the edges a bit with my fingers.

See all the size options?

Click here for the link to the recipe at SeriousEats. And thanks for the idea Cakespy!