MARSHMALLOW ANIMALS

Steps:

• Spread the container of the decorating sugar evenly over the rimmed baking sheet; set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together the gelatin and 1/2 cup of the water.
• Let stand 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a heavy 2-quart saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, sugar, corn syrup and salt.
• Stir well, then add food coloring until desired color is reached (this also can be adjusted later).
• Cook, stirring constantly, over low to medium-low heat until the sugar has dissolved.
• Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, stirring often.
• Clip a candy thermometer to side of pan.
• Reduce heat to medium and boil at a moderate, steady rate, stirring frequently, until the thermometer registers 244 F, about 15 minutes.
• Watch carefully to prevent mixture from boiling over.
• If necessary, reduce heat to medium-low.
• With the stand mixer (with whisk attachment) on low to medium-low, slowly pur the hot sugar mixture into the gelatin mixture.
• Increase mixture to high and beat 15 minutes.
• Mixture should be thick, white and nearly tripled in volume.
• Add the vanilla extract and 1 T water, then beat until combined.
• If marshmallow is not the desired color, add additional food coloring and mix until just incorporated.
• Spray the wooden spoon with cooking spray, then spoon the mixture onto prepared pan.
• Spray the offset spatula with cooking spray, then use it to spread the marshmallow evenly over the pan in 1/3-1/2-inch thick layer.
• Sprinkle a second container of decorating sugar over the marshmallow and use your hands to spread it, coating the marshmallow evenly.
• Let stand, uncovered, overnight.
• Once the marshmallow has set, use cookie cutters to cut animals from it.
• Set them aside, making sure the edges don't touch.
• Once all the animals have been cut, discard the scraps of marshmallow, but save the excess sugar in the pan.
• Gather the excess sugar in a pile and gently roll the edges of the marshmallow animals in it to coat.
• They now can be decorated as desired using the decorating gel.
• This will make 16 large animals (yield varies by cookie cutter size).