So excited to bring you this fun Valentine's Day Marshmallow Recipe. I can't really take credit for it...only the pink part and chocolate dipping is my creation. The best part is that these are naturally colored with beet juice. The credit goes to Adrienne over at Whole New Mom. Her website it full of great recipes, DIY remedies, lotions and potions. Go check her blog out!!! This recipe calls for liquid sweetener and I have not been able to find anything that works in recipes to replace honey, syrup or corn syrup with no sugar. Adrienne has the answer...vegetable glycerin!! We have all heard that you shouldn't put anything on your skin that you wouldn't put in your mouth. Well vegetable glycerin is often times found in skin care as a natural preservative, but also has a bit of sweetness to it and is completely food grade. What the heck is vegetable glycerin?
According to Wise Geek: Vegetable glycerin can also be made directly from vegetable oil — often coconut or palm oil — by heating it to a high temperature under pressure with water. The glycerin backbone splits off from the fatty acids, and is absorbed by the water, from which it is then isolated and distilled to obtain the pure product. Food-grade vegetable glycerin is 99.7% pure, with the remaining 0.3% being water. Select this line to insert text description of recipe here
Glycerin is widely used in the food industry for two main reasons: it has a sweet taste, but has fewer calories than sugar; and it is hygroscopic, that is, it absorbs moisture from the air. It is therefore used both to sweeten foods and to keep them moist. The compound is metabolized more slowly than sucrose— the type of sugar most commonly found in candy and in processed foods — and therefore does not have such a dramatic effect on blood sugar levels. It also does not contribute to bacterial tooth decay. Foods marketed as being low in carbohydrates are often sweetened with glycerin.
Another major use is in the cosmetics industry. Due to its hygroscopic properties, it is used in many moisturizing skin products, as it seems to help relieve dry skin problems by drawing water up from the lower layers. It is also a component of glycerin soap, which is often used by people with sensitive skin. Lotions containing this compound are also popular.
I did some research to find a source of vegetable glycerine that was from coconut and/or palm oils, not soy oil. I think the best source is from Wilderness Family Naturals. They are a trusted company with great products (I have no affiliation)!!! You can also use Now Foods Vegetable Glycerin that I believe to be a reputable source as well. The Now Brand can be found in many local health food stores and possibly Whole Foods. It is sold in the lotion section since many people add it to their homemade lotions.
Recipe: Chocolate Dipped Valentine’s Marshmallows
Original Marshmallow Recipe from Whole New Mom
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp gelatin from grass-fed cows (I use Great Lakes Gelatin)
- 1/2 cup cold water that has been beet juice infused (directions below)
- 1 – 1 1/2 cups granulated sweetener (I used a cup total of Swerve and Xylitol
mixed for sugar free option) - 1/2 cup hot water
- 1/2 cup liquid sweetener (I used vegetable glycerin for sugar free option, see above for info and where to buy)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips* (Use Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips for dairy free option)
Instructions
- Peel and cut a very small raw beet into about 1 inch chunks. Place the beets in a saucepan along with 1/2 cup of water
- Warm the water on low heat to get the beets to bleed. You want really pink/red water. Once you blend this with the gelatin and other ingredients, it really lightens up.
- Place the water in the refrigerator to cool for a few minutes. Remove and discard the beets
- In a large mixing bowl or standup mixer, pour the cooled pink water and sprinkle the gelatin over top, let sit
- Combine the granulated sweetener, liquid sweetener and additional 1/2 cup hot water in a heavy bottom saucepan
- Cook over medium high heat until mixture reaches 240-245 (soft ball stage)
- With a hand mixer or standup mixer, start beating the gelatin and beet water as you slowly add in the hot sweeteners.
- Slowly add in the vanilla and continue to beat until stiff peaks have formed, thick marshmallow creme
- Pour the creme into an 8×8 greased pan (or larger if you want thinner marshmallows)
- Let sit and harden. Cut into desired shape and size
- Melt the chocolate in a double broiler. Using a toothpick or skewer, dip the marshmallows in the chocolate and let cool
- Store in an airtight container. I prefer glass jars
Quick notes
*Use more chocolate if you want to completely coat the marshmallows
Variations
As Adrienne suggests, you can roll marshmallows in coconut, cocoa, nuts or any other topping.
If you want to try Swerve or need to order more, use coupon code KATE10 for a 10% discount. Swerve is my favorite sugar replacement. It is the only sugar alcohol that will not cause tummy troubles and it does not raise blood glucose levels.
If you are an Amazon shopper, would you be so kind to use my affiliate link to make your purchases. It is at no cost to you, it does provide a tiny kickback to Kate’s Healthy Cupboard. This allows me to continue making and testing recipes for free. Thanks so much!!
