Common commercial marshmallows include brightly colored ones – Easter marshmallow eggs and last but not least coconut marshmallows! If you find yourself away from home and in a place without a South African food shop then making your own roasted coconut marshmallows may just be simpler than trying to find them. 

Syrup Recipe: (Corn Syrup Substitute)

• 125g sugar
• 50ml water

1. Combine water and sugar, boil on medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Leave aside while you make the Marshmallows.

Marshmallow Recipe
Recipe by Georgia adapted from cooks.com
Quantity: 30  marshmallows (3 x 2 x 1.5cm)
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

• 1 cup cold water
• 187g white sugar
• 3 tablespoons gelatine [I used 3 (7g) packets]
• Half teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 cup corn syrup or similar substitute (see recipe above)
• Half cup icing sugar or cornflour (Maizena) for dusting

For Decoration:

• 60g desiccated coconut
• 2 tablespoons warm water

Method:

1.    If you don’t have any corn syrup prepare your substitute syrup as per instructions above.
2.    Prepare the toasted coconut by heating a pan on medium heat. Place the coconut on the pan then keep stirring as the coconut toasts. (similar toasting Soji) When the desired color is achieved remove from the stove then pace aside while you prepare the marshmallows.

3.    Place the gelatine in a bowl. Add 1 cup of cold water. Mix then leave aside.
4.    Place a heavy based pan on medium heat. Add the sugar and water . Mix until combined. Add the syrup mixture. Boil until the mixture reaches 118 degrees Celsius or 240 degrees Fahrenheit. I boiled the mixture on medium heat for approximately 15 minutes. Any longer and the sugar will begin to caramelize. This is not want you want so be sure to time this process.

5.    By this time the gelatine will have formed firm clumps. Don’t worry this will melt away once you add the hot syrup mixture. Pour the syrup over the gelatine mixture.
6.    Add salt, the lemon juice and vanilla essence then combine the mixture until a thick mixture forms( similar to whipped egg whites). Whisk the mixture for 10-12 minutes. I recommend using an electric mixer or egg beater. The lemon juice will help prevent the sugar form crystallizing.
7.    Dust a deep square or rectangular dish with icing sugar or cornflour this will prevent the marshmallows from sticking to the pan. Sprinkle some toasted coconut over the cornflour then pour the marshmallow mixture. I recommend using a deep dish this results in a more chunky sized marshmallow rather than flat ones.

8.  Sprinkle the rest of the coconut over the top of the mixture. Cover. Allow to set overnight.
9. Remove  from the pan. Cut into squares. Place some 2 tablespoon warm water in a saucer. Dip the side of the marshmallows in the water then dip in roasted coconut.

10. Serve as desired
11. Store in an airtight container.

How To Make Plain Marshmallows

If you are not a fan of coconut then simply omit the steps involving coconut from the recipe. I decided to make a few plain marshmallows at the last minute but ended up with crumby coconut ones instead-still they served as a nice addition to a cup of hot cocoa. If you want to make plain marshmallows then you can also dust the top layer with corn flour or icing sugar.