So, you wanna know if there is a “healthy” marshmallow recipe, huh? Well it’s gonna cost you. Just kidding! I wouldn’t do that to you guys! There is such a thing as a “healthier” marshmallow recipe when you go ingredient by ingredient, and making it yourself at home definitely puts the power in your hands to ensure that it is made with love, and is a conjunction of all the best considerations in regards to your family and friends health!
However, it has to be said that the ingredients required in the pursuit of a “healthy” marshmallow due tend to lean on the luxurious side, but if you have been saving for a special occasion, perhaps that next get-together or family gathering is coming up, a healthy marshmallow is totally doable!
Keep it simple, natural, and “raw”
I searched for a recipe that used fewer ingredients for simplicity, but make no mistake each ingredient is natural, non-processed, and definitely the kind of quality you wouldn’t mind consuming on your “cheat day”. I decided to go with a non-vegan recipe, but the pursuit of a healthier marshmallow can be won on that front as well as long as one is willing to spend awhile picking up more ingredients at the whole foods store, but needless to say any recipe can be adapted to meet your particular dietary restriction if, for example, you wanted it to be gluten-free etc.
First: Grass-fed gelatin
Preferably when choosing gelatin we want the grass-fed Kosher beef kind (so that it is pasture raised hereby avoiding any pesticides or hormones that could have been injected into the animals), gelatin is full of protein (it’s made from the collagen derived from animal bones after all!), but specifically amino acids which aid in muscle synthesis, keep your skin smooth, and keep your bones and teeth healthy!
Next up: Organic honey (try a local product if you’d like!)
Awe I love honey, but it is important to remember that marshmallows are essentially sugary desserts, however, you are in good hands with this natural sugar which contains antioxidants and flavonoids (a plant-based nutrient or phytonutrient which promotes heart health and may even prevent some cancers!).
Be sure to get organic, natural honey! While you’re at it you could even check to see if it’s locally made to support your local beekeepers!
Second to last: Organic vanilla extract
Moving along we have organic vanilla extract! Go figure, but in 2013 a study by the “Indian Journal of Experimental Biology” showed that vanillin, the primary component of vanilla extract, may actually help lower cholesterol! Our marshmallows are shaping up to even help us clean our arteries!
And Lastly: Unrefined sea salt
Finally unrefined sea salt will provide not just flavor, but 92 essential minerals which will benefit your health in a variety of ways! Among them balancing sugar levels in the blood, and helping you avoid any harmful additives!
Before your done, if you’d like the added health benefit, try rolling your sticky marshmallows in coconut, dark cocoa powder, or shaved almonds, rather than powdered sugar to take advantage of their various health benefits as well!
There you go! I hope you feel now that you don’t have to give up everything in order to reach your health goals. It really all comes down to the choices we make, and when one is making conscious decisions even marshmallows can be a great treat in moderation! Check out the recipe below for instructions on how to get started creating your own marshmallow paradise!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family, and have a wonderful day!
Homemade “healthy” Marshmallow Recipe: adapted from a recipe by Jenni Hulet
For this recipe you will need: Pan, 8×8 or larger, unbleached parchment paper, stand mixer or hand mixer, candy thermometer, mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup filtered water (split into half cups)
- 3 Tablespoons Grass fed beef gelatin
- 1 cup organic honey
- 1 tsp organic vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp unrefined sea salt
Instructions
Grease an 8×8(or larger) pan and line with unbleached parchment paper in both directions. Leave some length to use as handles when removing your finished marshmallows.
In your mixer bowl, add the gelatin with ½ cup of water
While the gelatin is softening, pour the other ½ cup of water in a sauce pan along with the honey, vanilla and the salt. Turn the burner to a medium high heat, bringing the mixture to a boil. Place a candy thermometer in the sauce pan and continue to boil the mixture until it reaches 240 degrees (the soft ball stage). This will take approx. 7-8 min. Immediately, remove the sauce pan from the heat.
Turn your standing mixer to low/med. Slowly, pour the honey mixture into the bowl combining it with the softened gelatin. Turn the mixer to high, and continue beating the mixtures until it becomes thick like marshmallow crème (about 10 min).
Turn off the mixer and transfer the marshmallow crème to the prepared pan. Remember, if using a coating (like dark cocoa powder or crushed almonds), add it to the bottom of the pan first before transferring the marshmallow crème. Smooth the top (add more coating if using one). Pat to smooth again.
If you are not using a coating then lightly grease your hands with oil and pat smooth. This will keep it from sticking to your fingers. Alternatively, you can press it down with parchment paper, leaving it there till the marshmallows are completely set.
Coating options: Try all kinds of crushed nuts, coconut, almond flour mixed with spices, dark choc. cocoa….
Also try adding spices, cocoa and different flavored extracts to your boiled mixture to mix it up later should you want to make them again (chances are you will! Yum!)
The possibilities are really endless!
When set, remove the marshmallows by lifting from the parchment paper flaps. Cut to desired size and enjoy!
[Featured image credit: Your Homebased Mom]
