Gifts for Neighbors

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Mmmm-hmm ! Homemade Marshmallows (ala Martha)

A Goodie Bag of Chocolate Mix and These Babies...

Your Neighbors will be waving hello
Every time you pass by

Allll year long !

Guaranteed !

Try it and see.

(if you are too time pressed for Christmas - do it later as a New Year's gift )


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Martha's Homemade Marshmallows


2 1/2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract*
Confectioners' sugar (for dusting)

Combine gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer with whisk attachment. Let it stand 30 minutes.

Combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt and 1/2 cup of water in a small heavy saucepan; place over low heat and stir until sugar has dissolved. Wash down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to dissolve sugar crystals.

Clip on a candy thermometer; raise heat to high. Cook syrup without stirring until it reaches 244 degrees ( or until : firm-ball stage). Immediately remove pan from heat.

With mixer on low speed, slowly and carefully pour syrup into the softened gelatin. Increase speed to high; beat until mixture is very thick and white and has almost tripled in volume, about 15 minutes. Add vanilla; beat to incorporate.

Generously dust an 8 x 12-inch glass baking pan with confectioners' sugar. Pour marshmallow mixture into pan. Dust with confectioners' sugar; let stand overnight, uncovered, to dry out.


* oh yes, please please use REAL good vanilla in this one
It makes allll the difference.
The imitation vanilla has a strong alcohol flavor that will RUIN these.

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Add a little extra something
Like a bottle of sayyyy...
Bailey's ?
Godiva Choco Liqueur ?
Kahlua or Amaretto ?
Or ~ oh my goodness ~
Try Peppermint Schnapps !!!!

...you will have friends for life.

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