Homemade Coconut Marshmallows

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Check out Stephanie's post on The Western Pleasure Horse 101 (As we requested!) She did a AWESOME job! Thanks Stephanie!

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(sorry for the ** (for some reason this stupid thing wont hold my spaces)

I am feeling a little under the weather... literally and figuratively. I caught the nasty cold that has been making its rounds and have had quite enough of this freakin' snow!

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So today I decided to make some goodies to make my Mom (who also has a cold) and I feel a little better.... something that is sweet, white, light and fluffy….

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Coconut Marshmallows!!

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Now…. there is a BIG difference between homemade and your common store bought Marshmallows. BIG, HUGE, MONUMENTOUS! Ok...maybe not that much but there really is no comparison....

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My mother bought some handmade coconut marshmallows from a specialty market back in November that were delicious. We wondered then if we could recreate them at home (as they were ridiculously expensive!)

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So, I decided to give it a shot and make some for Christmas (along with homemade Snowballs (coconut covered chocolate mint balls) for my Mom. They were, if I don’t say so myself, a real hit (far more than my Carrot pudding!) and just as good as the "specialty" ones.

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So here it is.... a photo recipe of how to make them.

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Chelsi’s Snowy Day Coconut Marshmallows

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You will need:

1 package of Knox Gelatin

¼ cup cold water

1 cup white sugar

1/3 cup corn syrup

¼ water

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1 package unsweetened fine coconut

Start by mixing the gelatin with 1/4 cold water and pour in to the bottom of your standing mixer bowl.

While that sits and dissolves (approx. 10 min) combine: water, sugar, and corn syrup in a saucepan.

Bring to a fast boil.

And boil hard for 1 minute until clear.

Immediately pour hot sugar mixture into the standing mixer with whisk attachment (and with the gelatin) and turn to high. Add salt.

Allow to mix on high for 12 minutes. (careful of splatter)

While that is mixing I got the pans out. I used a non-stick grills because that is what I had but anything will work.

And set the coconut to toast in a pan.

I just want it lightly browned. The smell while the coconut is warming is just divine!

Now I covered the surface of the pans in a good layer of coconut.

By now the sugar mixture has turned into a lovely sticky bowl of goodness! Add the vanilla now!! (I dont have a pic because I forgot! Whoops!)

That I then gently dolloped on top of the coconut....

And then smooth....

And top with coconut.

Does that not look delicious? Let sit for a half hour and then cut into small squares.

Dip each square in coconut to coat the sides....

And then store in an airtight container.

It makes about.... This much! (is that exact enough for you?) This recipe could be easily doubled....

But a small batch should be just enough for my Mom and I.... so long as we dont share....

Oh fine! We'll share!!

.... one or two anyways.