Easy and Healthy Homemade Marshmallows
Meet your warm drink’s best friend; homemade marshmallows that are healthier and tastier than store-bought. Impress your holiday guests when serving hot cocoa this week with this easy recipe!
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Homemade Marshmallows vs. Store-bought Marshmallows
Like most things, homemade marshmallows are just simply better than the ones in the stores. Store-bought marshmallows are mostly made of additives and preservatives to help the marshmallows keep their shape and stay fresh. Most store-bought marshmallows don’t even contain real marshmallow root anymore! 😱 Instead, companies use natural flavors and extra sugar in its place. The good news is, you can make your very own marshmallows at home that are just as good, if not better, and with more health benefits.
I personally think the touch of making your own marshmallows just makes a warm beverage so much better. Like imagine going to someone’s house and they made their own marshmallows for their hot chocolate bar. You would wonder how they made the time to do such a thing, and then be amazed with how good they taste, but then they’d share this recipe with you and you’d see how easy it actually is. It’s one of those simple things that can make a cozy situation even cozier.
Health Benefits of Gelatin
Gelatin, a natural substance derived from collagen, has been celebrated for its numerous health benefits. This versatile ingredient, commonly found in desserts, soups, and supplements, is more than just a culinary staple. It’s a nutritional powerhouse that can support various aspects of health. Here are some of the key benefits of incorporating gelatin into your diet:
Better Hair, Skin, and Nails
As a source of collagen, gelatin plays a vital role in skin health. Collagen helps maintain skin elasticity and hydration, which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve overall skin texture. Adding gelatin to your diet can support a youthful complexion and may even help with skin healing and repair. The protein content in gelatin also contributes to stronger hair and nails. Its amino acids provide the building blocks needed to improve hair thickness, reduce breakage, and support healthy nail growth.
Digestive Support and Better Sleep
Gelatin is known to soothe and strengthen the gut lining, making it beneficial for individuals with digestive issues such as leaky gut syndrome or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Its gel-like consistency can help protect the intestinal wall and aid in nutrient absorption. Glycine, one of the main amino acids in gelatin, has been shown to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. Consuming gelatin before bed may help you fall asleep faster and enjoy a more restful night.
Improved Bone and Joint Health
Gelatin is rich in amino acids like glycine and proline, which are essential for maintaining and repairing joint cartilage. Regular consumption of gelatin may reduce joint pain and stiffness, making it particularly beneficial for individuals with arthritis or those who engage in high-impact physical activities. Gelatin is also a good source of nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are crucial for maintaining strong bones. It can also enhance the body’s ability to absorb and utilize these minerals, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Immune Support
Good quality gelatin is known for its gut-healing properties. I recommend using grass-fed organic gelatin. The one I love and use is from Perfect Supplements. It doesn’t have much of a taste and it has a smooth texture, so it’s perfect for baking and sneaking into all sorts of dishes for extra protein. You can use code SUSTAINABLEKAY on their site for a discount (:
Health Benefits of Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root, derived from the Althaea officinalis plant, has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various health issues. Some of it’s healing properties and benefits include:
Improves Digestion
Marshmallow root is rich in mucilage, a gel-like substance that coats and soothes the digestive tract. This makes it beneficial for conditions such as acid reflux, ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It can help reduce inflammation and promote healing in the stomach and intestines.
Supports Respiratory Health
The mucilage in marshmallow root also works as a natural expectorant, helping to loosen mucus and alleviate coughs, colds, and bronchial congestion. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it an effective remedy for soothing sore throats and calming irritated airways.
Aids in Women’s Health
Studies have shown that marshmallow root can help with hormone balance. One study from 2014 showed that marshmallow root extract positively impacted TSH, which aids in metabolism. Marshmallow root has also been shown to help with things like urinary tract infections, period and PMS symptoms, and bladder issues. Sipping on tea with marshmallow root or consuming it in food is an effective way to help reduce the discomfort and inflammation that comes with these concerns.
Ways to Use Your Marshmallows
I can’t even lie to you, when I make these I eat them right out of the container. I do put them in my matcha lattes, cocoas, and other toasty beverages. You could easily add these to a desert or mix them into homemade ice cream even.
Need some inspiration on how to use your mallows?
Check out this blog post!
When it comes to roasting these over a fire or baking them, I’m not sure if these would hold up to the heat. These marshmallows are the melt in your mouth kind, and they will melt into the drinks you put them in too, so if you’re looking for the kind that hold their shape and to use for baking, you might be safer using the store-bought ones. If you do try to roast these over a fire for s’mores or baking, let me know how it turns out!
Homemade Marshmallows Recipe
These marshmallows are made with simple ingredients like:
- gelatin
- maple syrup
- marshmallow root powder
- vanilla
And the instructions are also fairly simple:
- Line a container or baking pan with parchment paper. Sprinkle with arrowroot powder to help prevent sticking.
- Mix gelatin and 1/2 a cup of water together and let it “bloom”.
- Heat the maple syrup, 1/2 a cup of water, and marshmallow root powder until boiling or until it reaches 235 degrees.
- Combine the maple water with your bloom in a stand mixer. Whisk this together on medium speed until it gets fluffy and just before it forms peaks.
- Transfer mixture into a container or baking pan and let sit for 4 hours.
It’s really that easy! Check out the full recipe for all the details. And the nice thing is, if you don’t have any marshmallow root on hand, don’t sweat it. You can leave it out and they will turn out just as good.
Healthy Homemade Marshmallows
Equipment
- 1 stand mixer with whisk attachment
- 1 small sauce pan
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp arrowroot powder can use cornstarch or even flour instead. this is just used to create a non-stick barrier.
- 3 tbsp gelatin powder I use the Perfect Supplements brand.
- 1 tbsp marshmallow root powder if you don't have this, you can skip it!
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Line a container or baking pan with parchment paper. Sprinkle with arrowroot powder to help prevent sticking.
- In your mixing bowl, mix gelatin and 1/2 a cup of water together. Set it aside to let it "bloom".
- In a pot over the stove, heat the maple syrup, 1/2 a cup of water, and marshmallow root powder until boiling, or until it reaches 235 degrees. Give it a few stirs while heating up to prevent burning.
- Pour your maple water into the bowl with gelatin bloom. Add in the vanilla extract. Whisk the mixture together on medium speed until fluffy and just before it forms peaks. If it's too stiff it will be a little harder to pour and mold.
- Pour the mixture into your lined dish and let it sit for 4 hours. Once formed, cut into cubes and add them to your drink of choice! These will last for 3-4 days on the counter in an air-tight container. Feel free to dust them with a little extra arrowroot powder to help prevent sticking.
Notes
I hope you enjoy these marshmallows as much as I do! They are truly little pillows of joy (: Let me know if you make them!
