S'mores Revisited

Before summer's over, I must mention homemade marshmallows for the sake of the most sumptuous s'mores you can imagine. This recipe, perfected by MaryJane Butters (www.maryjanesfarm.org), makes such pillowy melt-in-your-mouth marshmallows that you'll never be able to go back to the styrofoamy storebought variety. Plus, it's just too cool to be able to make these mysterious little wonders all by yourself (or with the help of sticky kid fingers). They're very easy (and, yes, messy) to make; the only tricky part can be finding organic ingredients - especially corn syrup. I like Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Light Corn Syrup, available from www.wholesomesweeteners.com.

MARYJANE'S MARSHMALLOWS

Powdered sugar for dusting
2 1/2 Tbsp. unflavored gelatin*
1 cup water, divided
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light-colored corn syrup
1/4 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. water
2 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Lightly coat an 8x8x2-inch pan with cooking spray. Heavily dust with powdered sugar; set aside. Stir unflavored gelatin and 1/2 cup of the water together in a large bowl of a very sturdy stand mixer; let stand 25 minutes while preparing syrup mixture (mixture will be set).

2. Meanwhile, mix remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, syrup, and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Cook and stir over low to medium-low heat until sugar has dissolved. Cook and stir over medium-high until mixture boils. Clip a candy thermometer to side of pan. Reduce heat to medium; continue boiling at a moderate, steady rate, stirring frequently until thermometer registers 244° (about 15 minutes). (Watch carefully to prevent mixture from boiling over. If necessary, reduce heat to medium-low.) Slowly pour hot syrup into gelatin mixture with stand mixer on low to medium-low speed. Increase to high speed; beat 15 minutes (mixture should be thick and about triple in volume). Add 1 tablespoon water and vanilla extract; beat until combined.

3. Spoon mixture (it will be sticky) into prepared pan. Let stand, uncovered, overnight. Loosen mixture from pan by lifting around edges with a knife. Invert onto a cutting board dusted with powdered sugar. With a hand sifter, dust marshmallows with additional powdered sugar. Cut into 1-inch squares with a large knife dusted with powdered sugar. Dust with additional powdered sugar. Makes about 64 marshmallows.

*NOTE: MaryJane now prefers to make marshmallows with her new ChillOver Powder, a vegetarian alternative available at www.maryjanesfarm.org.