Fluffy Homemade Nutella-Vanilla-Striped Marshmallows

With all of the bonfires my family has been  attending this fall, it’s been a challenge coming up with something different to bring to each one, so as not to bore our friends.

As the bonfire we had gone to about a month ago had included mostly teenagers, it seemed only fitting to bring something that would cater to their incessant desire to be standing close to the blaze, sticks in hand and continually poking aimlessly into the  alluring flames. What better than roasting marshmallows to give them a sense of purpose whilst fulfilling their innate pyromania?

Now I’ve made marshmallows before (and let me confess, I’m really not a fan of the things), but these marshmallows were such a hit that well before the kindling had ever been lit, the packages of Hershey’s chocolate bars and boxes of graham crackers I had piled on top of the giant plastic container full of these fluffy chocolatey, hazelnut wonders were discarded early on, and children and adults alike were snacking on my marshmallows with their chips and dip.  Can you blame them? I mean who doesn’t like Nutella?

Admittedly, my intention initially had been to make these ‘mallows solid Nutella, but after the first batch were spread in the pan, I was disappointed by how thin and flat they were.  That’s when I got it into my head to make another batch of plain vanilla ‘mallow “batter” to see if spreading it on top of the Nutella batch was feasible.  I didn’t want to risk wasting any precious Nutella on a hypothetical. But as it turns out, adding a layer on top of another works splendidly, and so for the sake of aesthetics I simply made an additional batch of the Nutella batter, layered it over the vanilla, and Voila! My Nutella-vanilla-striped marshmallows were born!

I was not only surprised by how much everyone loved them, but also how nicely they toasted and melted, making the gooey s’mores the highlight of the evening. Best of all, they’re so easy to make!  Let’s get started!

Each recipe makes one layer of the marshmallow. I suggest doing each sequence three times if you are planning on layering as I did.

**For the second layer, the vanilla, Simply omit the Nutella.**

If you’re feeling really confident, I suppose you could simply triple your recipe and stir the Nutella by hand into 2/3 of your batter, but work quickly! The batter begins to dry pretty speedily and may get too rubbery to spread. I found that it was just easier to repeat the recipe for each layer.

You will need (for each layer):

3 packets of plain gelatin

1 cup cold water, divided in half

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1 pinch of salt

1 teaspoon vanilla paste (or extract. I love the appearance of all the vanilla bean bits in the paste)

4 tablespoons nutella

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup corn starch

Place the gelatin in a clean bowl of your stand mixer and cover with half a cup of cold water. Let it sit.

Place the rest of the water, the granulated sugar, salt, and the corn syrup inside of a medium saucepan with a lid. Place over medium high heat, cover, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.

After 4 minutes, uncover the mixture, place your candy thermometer on the side, and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees.

Once mixture reaches 240 degrees, immediately take off of the heat.

Place your whisk attachment on your stand mixer and turn on low.
While mixer is going, slowly pour the sugar mix into the bowl.

Once all of the sugar syrup is added, turn the mixer to high, and let it continue to mix for about 12 minutes until thick and glossy.  While stand mixer is running, mix together the corn starch and powdered sugar.

Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and dust it with some of the powdered mixture. Make sure all sides are covered. Place the leftover powdered mixture to the side to use for later.

Place the 4 tablespoons of Nutella in the microwave and heat for about 10 seconds to soften.

Pour in the vanilla and let mix for 1 minute, then add the Nutella and and let it swirl into the marshmallow mixture for about 1 minute.

Turn off mixer, and with an oiled rubber spatula, pour the marshmallow mix into the prepared pan. Put in refrigerator while next layer is being mixed.

Repeat the above steps for each layer, simply spreading on top of the previous. (For vanilla layer, simply omit Nutella).

Once the final layer is spread in the pan, lightly dust the top with your corn starch and powdered sugar mixture and place pan in fridge to set. Some recipes day to let set overnight, while my marshmallows took only an hour to set.

Alternatively, you could just triple the recipe, including the Nutella and just make them straight Nutella flavor. Nobody would complain!

After the marshmallows are set, turn them out onto a cutting surface and cut them into your preferred shapes and sizes, and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Be sure to put the remainder of your corn starch-powdered sugar mixture in with the marshmallows to prevent them from sticking to one another.

Bon Appetit!

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