Marshmallows have long been a favorite dessert, but it seems that despite their delicious taste, they don’t bring any health benefits. But all is not lost, there are ways to make your own marshmallows in a healthy way and you can be able to eat the ones you want without feeling guilty. Follow the recipe that we give you below.
As we have already mentioned, commercial marshmallows, like all processed foods, do not bring anything good for you, and although they are fat-free, they are also very loaded with sugar. A regular marshmallow has 4 grams of added sugar, but you have to admit, it’s almost impossible to eat just one.
One cup of marshmallows contains even 29 grams of sugar , which is more than 400 empty calories, even 10 grams more than the recommended daily allowance.
Excess sugar intake increases calorie intake and leads to various health problems, such as obesity and weight gain.
On the other hand, foods high in sugar are generally poor in any healthy nutrient. Also, the more sugary foods we eat, the less room there will be for fruits, vegetables, and healthy foods in our diets.
Sugar consumption has been shown to be directly linked to serious long-term health problems, including:
- Insulin resistance and diabetes
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol levels
- Various types of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer
- Food addiction
- Tooth problems, such as cavities.
How to make marshmallows the healthy way
So the following recipe for these amazing and delicious marshmallows, which are free of the health-damaging sugar, is a great option to consider. In addition, they can be prepared in a coconut or chocolate version, according to your preferences.
As soon as you try them, you will no longer want to buy marshmallows at the store for sure.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon of salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoon gelatin
- 1/2 cup of cold water
Preparation method:
As we have already mentioned, commercial marshmallows, like all processed foods, do not bring anything good for you, and although they are fat-free, they are also very loaded with sugar. A regular marshmallow has 4 grams of added sugar, but you have to admit, it’s almost impossible to eat just one.
One cup of marshmallows contains even 29 grams of sugar , which is more than 400 empty calories, even 10 grams more than the recommended daily allowance.
Excess sugar intake increases calorie intake and leads to various health problems, such as obesity and weight gain.
On the other hand, foods high in sugar are generally poor in any healthy nutrient. Also, the more sugary foods we eat, the less room there will be for fruits, vegetables, and healthy foods in our diets.
Sugar consumption has been shown to be directly linked to serious long-term health problems, including:
- Insulin resistance and diabetes
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol levels
- Various types of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer
- Food addiction
- Tooth problems, such as cavities.
How to make marshmallows the healthy way
So the following recipe for these amazing and delicious marshmallows, which are free of the health-damaging sugar, is a great option to consider. In addition, they can be prepared in a coconut or chocolate version, according to your preferences.
As soon as you try them, you will no longer want to buy marshmallows at the store for sure.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon of salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoon gelatin
- 1/2 cup of cold water
Preparation method:
1. First you must grease a loaf pan a little, and cover it with parchment paper that must also be greased. Then, in a medium bowl, or a bowl with an attached mixer, add ¼ cup of water and add gelatin. Set it aside to soften.
2. Next, add another ¼ cup of water, salt, and honey to a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to 240 degrees, using a candy thermometer. Be precise with the temperature.
3. You can also try dripping some of the liquid into a bowl of ice water, and when it cools in the water, it should be in the sweet stage and form small, soft balls. This temperature is reached around 7-8 minutes.
4. Remove the pot from the heat as soon as it reaches the right temperature.
5. Now add the hot syrup to the gelatin mixture carefully, using a hand mixer on low speed. Pour the hot mixture as a drizzle into the bowl.
6. Next, add the vanilla, and beat for 12-15 minutes on high speed, in order to obtain a thick mixture. Then, pour it into the mold prepared first and keep it in reserve uncovered, for 4-12 hours, or overnight, in order to dry.
7. Next, simply dice the contents, and the marshmallows are ready to be served.
Design your own versions of marshmallows
Cocoa version: When you are done, you can pass the marshmallows cut into cocoa powder.
Coconut version: You should toast ½ cup of grated coconut, unsweetened, and sprinkle half of it on the bottom of the prepared pan. Then add it to the marshmallow mixture, and sprinkle it again with the other half of the grated coconut.
You can add shape, color, texture, and flavor by adding coconut, chocolate chips, or fruit and jelly toppings and cutting them into various shapes.