A few weeks ago I was asked if I wanted to review a copy of the book Marshmallow Madness: Dozens of Puffalicious Recipes. The book is written by Shauna Sever who also writes over at the blog Piece of Cake. Her blog is gorgeous, so I was excited to see what the cookbook would be like. First off, the cover is puffy!! Perfect for a book dedicated to marshmallows! The pictures are fun and beautiful. There are so many amazing different recipes in this book. They range from the classic Vanilla to Key Lime Pie, Maple-Bacon, Mango-Chili Lime and more!
The book does an excellent job of walking you through the step by step process of making marshmallows. I was nervous because of the elevation I live at. But Shauna walks you through calibrating your thermometer to make sure it works no matter where you live. They were so much easier to make than I ever thought they would be. I finally decided to make the Kool-Aid Marshmallows from the Kids in a Candy Store section of the book. Hers were so pretty in star shapes with Pop Rocks on the edges. Mine did not turn out quite as pretty 
Part of the problem was I could not find Pop Rocks!! I tried everywhere, even the Dollar Store, but I could not find them. I know they still make them, but they just weren’t sold at the stores I went to. So I improvised and used Nerds, but they didn’t stick nearly as well as I would have hoped. They were good on their own though. My 6 year old told me I make the BEST Strawberry Marshmallows EVER!
Kool-Aid Marshmallows
From Marshmallow Madness
1 packet Kool-Aid Drink mix (I used fruit punch)
1/2 cup cold water
5 tsp unflavored gelatin powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
Pop Rocks, optional
Lightly coat 8×8 pan with cooking spray (I would use a half sheet pan instead, mine were really thick)
Whisk together Kool-Aid packet, cold water and the gelatin in a small bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes. I will soften and form into a thick mixture, don’t worry!
In a saucepan mix together sugar, 1/4 cup corn syrup, 1/4 cup water and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring ocassionally until it reaches 240 degrees (or 222 degrees using my thermometer at my elevation). Pour the remaining 1/4 cup corn syrup into the bowl for an electric mixer, fitted with a wire whisk. Microwave the gelatin for about 30 seconds, until completely melted. Pour into the bowl with the corn syrup. Turn mixer on low and keep it running.
Slowly pour in the syrup (once it reaches 240 degrees). Turn the speed up to medium, and beat for 5 minutes. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 5 more minutes. Finally, increase the speed to the highest setting and beat for an additional 1-2 minutes. The marshmallow should be three times the volume you started with. Pour into prepared pan, and use a spatula to smooth. Sift together powdered sugar and cornstarch. Sift sugar mixture over the top of the marshmallows. Let stand for 6 hours to set.
Use a knife to loosen the edges. Turn onto a surface dusted with more of the sugar mixture. Dust more sugar mixture over the top. Cut into desired shapes. Dip the sticky edges into Pop Rocks, if desired.
I was given this book by Quirk Books Publishing. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The opinions are completely my own.
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How fun are these?! I bet your son did think they were the best!
I have never really had the interest of making my own marshmallows but I love that yours are pink and the different shapes. I think if I was 10 I would be up to my knees in these treats. Cute!
What an awesome idea! I have never made marshmallows, but I have seen so many people make them. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and do it too! I love the colors and your pictures are very good!
These look like so much fun. I haven’t had Kool Aid in forever and Julian would flip if I made Marshmallows like this. Oddly enough I have pop rocks in the house right now lol it’s fate telling me I need to buy some Kool Aid! YUM!
Do you live near a Cracker Barrel? I’m pretty sure they just about always have them… what a fun book though!
Very interesting! Now I like neither marshmallows nor kool-aid, but as so often, my wife would devour these
(I am so excited for your bars, by, the way, I am bordering on ridiculous giddiness).
I am making them today!! They will be in the mail this afternoon!
*sillydance*
Ok, they may make the mail tomorrow
I want to make sure i can get them cold enough to help the thawing process in the mail.
Thank you so much!
I’m excited!
these are so cute. would be perfect in goodie bags at birthday parties.
Oh man, where were these marshmallows when I was a kid!? They sound amazing, pop roccks/nerd whatever, all of it sounds like a delicious sugary treat to me! Yum!
What a fun color–I love homemade marshmallows but am always afraid to try making them myself. Thanks for the book review!
These marshmallows are so gorgeous-they look traditional, store bought and perfect
Yum!!!
And you did a great review
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Brown Butter Mixed M&M Chewy Cookies
these look so yummy erin!!
These are cute!! My Step-daughter would love these. Maybe I’ll make them for her and her boyfriend as a surprise.
These look so cool! This is something that I need to try with my cousins, I am sure they would love homemade marshmellows!
I have never made marshmallows before. They make me nervous, LOL! I guess I should give it a try so I can add it to my “resume”. These are super cute and I would love to have that book!
These marshmallows are so cool…. using kool-aid just makes the flavors endless.
I really want to make marshmallows. I have steered clear after nearing burning out my kitchenaid making divinity. It still grinds and whines.
Anyway, I have seen pop rocks at Party City. Just for future reference.
These look amazing!
I’ve never made marshamllow before, this recipe with kool aid sounds great and they look delicious
I’ve never been a huge fan of marshmallows, but these are so darn cute!
—OMG,
I love the look of these fluffy pink marshmallows
) !!!
I’d like one to place inside my mouth right noooow. x
I had my first experience with making marshmallows last month and they were so fun! Yours came out great, love the kool-aid!
How pretty! I am so pinning this for a tea party I’m planning for my little one!
Looks very pretty! Amazing what a cool aid can do.
Hi Erin! I’ve never marshmallows before, but I’m very attracted by these pink marshmallows! I think it’s fun project with my daughter and her friends…
Very cute!!!
This sound so fun! My mom makes fabulous homemade marshmallows and I am going to email this to her
Thanks for sharing!
Normally, you would never find me eating marshmallows straight from the bag, but I have a feeling that would not be the case with these.
I have yet to try making my own marshmallows but these are so to-die-for cute I’d better change that soon!
Eeee I love these! I had such a hard time deciding which mallows to make but these were up there on the list. I think any kid would be in love after eating these- so fun and whimsical. I can’t wait to make the salted caramel ones!
I can imagine how awesome those taste! These would be perfect for Easter Treats! Well done as always!!!
I am in heart with making my own marshmallows. And Kool-Aid ones – I never would’ve dreamed!
Out of the blue I’ve decided that I want to try and make homemade marshmallows – I’ve never even eaten one! These look like so much fun! I have a couple questions if you don’t mind: Every marshmallow recipe seems to call for a stand mixer, which I don’t have. Is this recipe possible to do with a hand-held? And just out of curiousity, have you used any flavoring oils in your recipes? I’m just wondering how they work. Thanks for the great recipe and for answering my questions! (PS – I live at 8700 feet, so I sympathize with your altitude problem!)
And hand mixer will work just fine, you will just have to stand there the whole time. It might take a little longer too, since it isn’t quite as powerful. But I know people who have done it just fine!
I have not used oils before, but I am sure you could use them. Do they work like extracts? Let me know how they turn out!!