How to make marshmallows that are so healthy you can eat as many as you want

One regular marshmallow contains about 4g added sugar, but as many of us know, very rarely do we eat a single marshmallow. For instance, a cup of mini marshmallows for a dessert recipe or to top hot chocolate contains a whopping 29g sugar. This translates to over 400 empty calories and exceeds the recommended daily amount by nearly 10g!

Health risks of excess sugar

Sugar consumption in excess increases your overall calorie content and can easily lead to unhealthy weight gain and obesity. To boot, foods high in sugar, like marshmallows, are usually low in nutrition as well. Plus, the greater percentage of your diet that’s filled with large amounts of sugary foods, the less room in your diet there is for vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

Sugar has also been directly related to long-term health problems. In fact, eating too much sugar has been linked to the following:

• Heart disease;
• Several cancers, like pancreatic cancer;
• Teeth issues, such as cavities;
• Inflated cholesterol levels;
• Insulin resistance and diabetes; and
• Food addictions.

The recipe

These fluffy honey-sweetened homemade marshmallows will deliver all the flavour and none of the health-compromising sugar. This simple recipe will make you wonder why you ever bought marshmallows!

Ingredients

• One and a half tablespoons gelatine
• Half a cup cold water
• Half a cup honey
• Pinch of salt
• Half a teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

1. Lightly grease a loaf pan. Cover with wax paper leaving a bit to hang over the sides of the pan. Use non-stick spray or grease the paper.

2. Put a quarter cup of water in a medium bowl and sprinkle the gelatine over the water. Set aside to soften.

3. Place the honey, salt and the remaining quarter cup of water in a small pot and heat over medium heat for about 7 to 8 minutes. Test mixture by dribbling a little into a bowl of ice water and if it forms soft little balls when cooled, it’s ready. Remove from heat as soon as it reaches this ‘soft ball stage’.

4. Using a hand mixer on low, very carefully blend the hot mixture into the gelatine by pouring the hot mixture in a drizzle down the side of the bowl. Once everything is combined, add the vanilla and increase speed to high. Beat for 12 to 15 minutes or until the mixture is thick and fluffy (it will actually look like ‘marshmallow fluff’). Pour into the prepared pan and leave uncovered for 4 to 12 hours to dry. It’s just about perfect when left overnight. Cut into squares and serve. Enjoy!

Try your hand at making one batch and see how easy it is.

Tip for next time: Make a couple of batches and add a drop of food colouring to add a splash of colour.

Sources:

https://healthyeating.sfgate.com
https://authoritynutrition.com
https://nancyappleton.com

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