Marshmallow Recipe Healthy Enough To Let You Indulge Your Cravings

Marshmallows are a favorite among dessert and sweets-loving individuals, however, their nutrition content leaves much to be desired. Although marshmallows have no fat, they have tons of sugar.

A traditional marshmallow contains up to 4 grams of sugar added, not to mention the fact that few people can limit themselves to a single marshmallow.

That means that a cup containing miniature marshmallows can hold over 29 grams of sugar. That is 400 nutritionally empty calories, as well as 10g more than the recommended daily sugar content.

Having an excessive amount of sugar in the diet causes a person to consume more calories and is a leading cause of many different health issues, from obesity to diabetes.

Additionally, sugar-laden foods are usually not very nutritious. Finally, when you consume a lot of sugary food, you have less room in your stomach for healthier options such as fruits and vegetables.

Consuming a large amount of sugar in your daily diet has been linked to many different health conditions. These include:

• Diabetes and resistance to insulin.
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Several forms of cancer, including pancreatic
• Addiction to food
• Cavities and other dental issues

That is why when you are craving the sweet taste of a marshmallow, you should try this healthier version that does not have added sugar. If you are feeling creative, you can also make versions that are chocolate or coconut, whichever you prefer.

Once you try making these, you won’t be reaching for the bags of store-bought marshmallows!

Ingredients:

• Half a cup of honey
• One-half teaspoon of vanilla extract
• One-eight of a teaspoon of salt
• One and one-half tablespoons of gelatin
• A half cup of cold water

Instructions:

Grease a loaf-sized pan, line it with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper. In a medium-sized bowl or the bowl to your mixer, mix a quarter cup of the water with the gelatin. Leave this aside so the gelatin can soften.

Then, in a small pan, combine the other quarter cup of water, salt, and the honey. Place this over medium heat. Use a candy thermometer and bring it up to exactly 240 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you do not have a candy thermometer, you can test for the right temperature by dropping a tiny amount of the mix into a bowl containing ice water. When it cools, it should form small, soft balls. You should reach the right temperature in about 7 or 8 minutes.

Once the liquid has reached the proper temperature, remove the pan from the stove.

Carefully pour the hot mixture into the gelatin and water while a hand mixer runs on low power. Pour carefully by drizzling the mixture down the inside of the bowl.

Add the vanilla to your mix and beat it for 12 to 15 minutes using high speed. It should form a thick mix. Scrape this into the pan you prepared earlier, and let it set for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours (overnight) so that it can dry. Once dry, you can cut your marshmallows into squares and they are ready to serve!

Coconut Marshmallows: Toast a half cup of flaked coconut and sprinkle a quarter of it inside the bottom of your prepared loaf pan. Scrape in your marshmallow mixture and top with the other half of the toasted coconut.

Cocoa Marshmallows: Once your marshmallows are finished and cut, roll them in some cocoa powder you have sprinkled on a cutting board or shallow pan.

Enjoy!
Source: www.healthy-holistic-living.com
Other included sources linked in Healthy Holistic Living’s article:
www.thenourishinggourmet.com
healthyeating.sfgate.com
authoritynutrition.com
nancyappleton.com
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foodnetwork.sndimg.com
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