Homemade Marshmallows

I tried these once before and it was just a stuper sticky mess.  Good ole' Martha S. convinced me to try it again.  Much better experience.  Watch out, you may just get a few for a Christmas treat.

WARNING: This recipe is not for the old, decrepit Kitchen Aid.  It will probably kill it.  It's hard on the motor. If you start to smell that funny machine oil smell, cut your losses and save the mixer.

Ingredients
3 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1 C ice cold water, divided
12 oz. granulated sugar (about 1 1/2 C)
1 C light corn syrup
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract OR 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1 C powdered sugar

Method
Place gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 C ice cold water.  Have the whisk attachment ready to go.

Prepare your pan.  GENEROUSLY sprinkle powdered sugar on the bottom of  a 9x13 pan (for thick marshmallows) or a cookie sheet (for thinner marshmallows).  Coat the sides of the pan also.  (Good idea to use a silpat or parchment paper on the bottom of the pan.) Set aside.

In a saucepan combine 1/2 C water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt.  Place over medium high heat, using a candy thermometer, cook until the mixture reaches 240, approximately 7-8 minutes.  Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from heat.

Turn the mixer on low speed, and while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture.  Once you have added all the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm (12-15 minutes.) Add flavoring during the last minute of whipping. 

Pour, or really scrape and gloop out the mixture.  Use clean, wet hands or a well oiled spatula to spread the mixture evenly in the pan.  Dust the top with enough remaining sugar to lightly cover and reduce the stickiness.  Allow marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours or overnight. 

Loosen sides of pan with a knife dipped in powdered sugar.  Turn out onto a GENEROUSLY powder sugar-coated surface.  Cut with a pizza roller covered in powdered sugar or a bench scraper covered in powder sugar. (Do you get the point that the stuff is super sticky and needs powdered sugar at every step?!?)

When cut into chunks, put in hot cocoa, dip in chocolate, or coat with toasted coconut.