In honor of Marshmallow day Brandy and I made these fun favors!

Almond with Cocoa Pearls

Mint Chocolate Chip

Maple and Nutmeg

We love making homemade marshmallows.

It doesn’t take very much time at all to whip up and it tastes sooo much better than store bought! 

The hardest part is waiting for them to set!

Ingredients:

3 packages of unflavored gelatin
1 cup ice water, divided into 1/2 cups
1.5 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 tea salt (coarse or sea salt)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch

Instructions:

1.  In the bowl of your mixer empty the 3 packets of gelatin and add 1/2 cup ice water.  Let it sit to “bloom” while you do the other stuff

2.  In a sauce pan mix the 1.5 cups sugar, the other 1/2 cup ice water, 1 cup corn syrup and 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt.  Put the lid on and bring it to a boil.

3. Remove the lid and let it cook until it reaches 240 degrees.  Temperature is important with this. 

4.  When it hits 240 degrees immediately remove it and pour it into the mixer on top of the gelatin.  Start the mixer at a slow speed so you don’t splash 240 degree sugar syrup on your face:

5. Put the mixer on high speed. That is going to be whisking for a while, so prepare your pan.  use a brownie pan and cover it in plastic wrap.  Coat the plastic wrap with a bunch of non-stick cooking spray.  In a bowl mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 cup cornstarch and generously sprinkle it around.  

6. Ok, back to your mixer.  The whole mixing process will take about 8-12 minutes.  Your marshmallows mixture is going to about double or triple in size

7. At this time add your flavoring and food coloring (if desired). If you are making multiple flavors like we did, separate into small bowls before adding flavors! :)

8. Pour in pan and add four mixture on top. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit overnight (or at least 4-6 hours).  

(I used a round cookie cutter, but you can always make into “bars”.)

p.s. This was my sisters idea! She is so clever…

Lara Bars or “Date Bars”

Ingrediants:

1 Cup of almonds

1/2 Cup dried cherries

12 Dates

1/4 Tsp salt

2 Tbsp coconut oil

5 Tbsp cocoa powder

(Wax paper)

Instructions:

Blend nuts till small bits add dates and dried fruit and continue blending.

Take out of blender with spatula into small bowl. Add salt, coconut oil and cocoa. Mix with hands! 

Put a piece of wax paper down with mixture on top. Use rolling pin to flatten evenly.

Put a second piece of wax paper on top to help mold into squares. Cut into bar shapes and refrigerate to help harden. 

Jesus came in and ordered a sweetgrass. :) True story!

Momma made me Samurai Chai tea. :)

Dear Bella, I love how cuddly and lovely you are!
We found a “new” used book store! Stuffed in every corner (top to bottom) with books. It’s a little slice of heaven! I hope God has a super cool library just for the heck of it. Even though he doesn’t need it.

 Who was so jazzed about finding a whole bunch of vintage National Geographic’s? 

My package from Singapore. 

 Strange things I find at the thrift store I DIDN’T buy…