I’m a little late making Christmas gifts for my work colleagues this year. In fact it seems that I do it later and later each year. The last few years I’ve given the Development Team at Opera Australia some great foodie gifts including Cookie Jars and Candy Cane Fudge Brownies so this year the presents must continue as I have a reputation to uphold my friends.
I’ve highlighted in the last few posts how busy life has been, with work extremely stressful organising Opera in the Bowl, and Scotty and I finally biting the bullet moving in together. This has meant that I have not been as organised as I would like to be but this weekend I was determined to get my christmas treats made (that being said, it is the last weekend before going on leave, so I didn’t really have any choice but to be determined).
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking about marshmallows. I’m not quite sure why this fascination with marshmallows, but as I get more experience in the kitchen I start thinking of wacky things it would be fun to make. The idea of making marshmallows had been bubbling away in the back of my mind until I stumbled across a spectacular little cookbook in an independent bookstore during one of by work trips to Melbourne.
The cookbook is called The Artisan Marshmallow by Paige Couture and it is possibly the most fabulous and whimsically styled cookbook I’ve seen. I fell in love with it in the store and immediately purchased it waiting for the moment till I could flip through its pages and decide what to make first.
The beauty of marshmallows are that they are gluten free and so with once of my colleagues at work requiring gluten free treats, I just knew I had to make the gingerbread marshmallow for this year’s Christmas gifts.
After a wonderfully relaxing Saturday morning brunch at Pino’s La Dolce Vita and a trip to the Ramsgate Organic Foodies Market with Sara of Belly Rumbles, I headed back into the kitchen to get started on the marshmallows. Now, anyone who thinks making marshmallows sounds difficult… fear not! They do require both a candy thermometer and a Kitchenaid mixer (or equivalent) but if you have both these items making marshmallows are deceptively easy – all you require is a little time.
These little fluffy pillowy gingery babies with an almond praline crust are absolutely to die for! I had to limit Scotty and I to just one beauty each so that we would have enough as gifts for our work colleagues… but as I sit here and type this they are calling my name and it is almost too much!
Do yourself a favour and try making gingerbread marshmallows this Christmas for an alternative treat – you wil not be disappointed.
Gingerbread Marshmallows with Almond Praline
Adapted from The Artisan Marshmallow (Paige Couture)
MARSHMALLOW
1 1/2 cups caster sugar
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup golden syrup
1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons powdered gelatine
70g egg whites from 2 large eggs
1 teaspoon ground ginger
ALMOND PRALINE
125g slivered almonds
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup water
COATING
2 tablespoons icing sugar
2 tablespoons cornflour
MARSHMALLOW
Spray two slice tins (20x30cm) with oil then line the bottom and sides with baking paper and spray paper with oil. In a large heavy saucepan combine 1 1/4 cups of caster sugar (reserving 1/4 for later), brown sugar, golden syrup and 3/4 cup of water (reserving 3/4 for later). Place on a low heat and stir until the sugar has melted. Once melted, insert a candy thermometer and increase heat to medium-high bringing it to the boil and letting it simmer, without stirring, until the syrup reaches 112° degrees celsius.
Meanwhile, in a small microwave safe bowl place the remaining water and sprinkle over the gelatine and set aside for 5 minutes. Then place in the microwave for 30 seconds on high, or until the gelatine has dissolved.
When the syrup reaches 108° celsius, place egg whites in a mixer with the whisk attachment and mix on medium speed until the eggs become frothy. At this point add turn the mixer to high and slowly add the remaining 1/4 cup of caster sugar, whisking until thick and glossy. Turn the mixer to a medium speed until the syrup reaches 112° celsius.
When the candy thermometer reaches 112° remove syrup from heat and set aside until the bubbles subside. Increase the mixer to medium-high and slowly pour the gelatine mixture into the egg mixture in an even stream. Add the hot syrup to the mixture in the same way as the gelatine and continue whisking until the mixture thickens. Add the ginger and continue to whisk until the mixture is extremely thick. This will take about 12-15 minutes and the outside of the mixer’s bowl should be just above room temperature.
Divide the mixture evenly between the two prepared slice tins using a spatula, even out the top of each tray and set aside for two-three hours till set.
ALMOND PRALINE
While marshmallows are setting spread the almonds evenly on a tray lined with baking paper. In a small saucepan combine sugar and water and place on a low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Once melted brush down the sides of the saucepan with a pastry brush dipped in water, then bring to the boil and cook without stirring until the syrup becomes golden (this happens quickly so make sure you keep watching the saucepan). Remove from heat and immediately pour evenly over the almonds. Put it aside until set, then finely chop praline (or pop it in a blender and give it a few good pulses). Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
COATING
Sift together the icing sugar and cornflour and dust the top of both marshmallow trays with the mixture. Turn out out onto a board and remove any baking paper, then dust the bottom with the coating mixture also. Using a cookie/gingerbread cutter sprayed with oil at regular intervals, carefully cut shapes out of the marshmallow and roll the sides in the almond praline mixture. (I used smaller cookie cutters so I could get more gingerbread ‘men’ out of each tray – I made 52 mini men).
Amanda they look gorgeous! My only comment is, what happened on the way home, thought they were going to be mojito? LOL. These babies are just perfect for Christmas gifts, your colleagues will love them. Inspired to go make marshmallows now.
Haha! I know!! But then I got home and looked through the book and realised I just HAD to make these as they were more "Christmassy" (also, it meant I only had to go to the supermarket and not the bottle shop too). 😉
Incredible. What a perfect xmas pressie and is a good alternative to all the shortbread buscuits that will no doubt make the rounds
Mojito marshmallows, I hear? As good as these gingerbread ones look and sound, I want to see the mojito ones!
i love marshmallows and i love ginger! these sound incredible!!
I've never had a gingerbread marshmallow before! And what a terrific idea. Marshmallows have such great texture and flavor – I love them. Brilliant idea – thanks.
YUM Amanda! I wish I had these at my work!!
I love the pralines you have used. Ah! I want one now! 🙂
I love the sound of the gingerbread.. so christmassy! And I love the look of these little men. Bet they got eaten right up.. I know I would have!
What a fun gift and so cute 🙂
I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that they have been thinking about marshmallows for two weeks. 🙂 On the Next Iron Chef the other night, one of the chefs had to make a dish with marshmallows and squid. That was the night's winner! What cute little marshmallow pillows! I'm not a huge fan of marshmallows, but I think these look fun and delicious – especially with the almond praline. Yep – I could a few of these!
Thanks Adrian, that was my theory… so many biscuits going around I wanted something a little different. Great blog by the way!
Alright then John… you got it. Mojito marshmallows in the new year!
Thanks Suze… they were super tasty!
It's almost a little disconterting when you bite into a marshmallow that tastes like something completely different! Then you realise how wonderful it is!
Haha… unfortunately they went very quickly… otherwise I would have brought you some.
They did… in a matter of minutes actually.
Thanks Alyssa!
Oh wow… marshmallows and squid! I'll have to see if I can find that episode here in Ausralia. I reckon you could learn to like them MJ if you gave these a try!
I had never made marshmallows before this week. Its one of those things that you always buy packaged. It turns out that making them at home is easy. And, now that I've tried a homemade marshmallow, the packaged stuff doesn't taste nearly as good. I can definately imagine thnking about marshmallows for two weeks! I've been thinking nonstop about all the possible variations! Thanks for the recipe and the cookbook suggestion!
Almond praline is a little like a drug to me. I had never thought of it combined with fluffy marshmallow, but I like your idea. Better still, I can eat them to my hearts content! Woot!