(From Better Than Store-Bought: Among the oldest living citizens are some who claim to recall marshmallows that tasted like marshmallows- tender, vanilla-scented pillows that melted in the mouth.)
Along with Orange Jellies and Chocolate-Filled Apricots, these were a New Year's Eve tradition when we used to have a small party every year.
Makes 3 dozen.
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup confectioner's sugar or, preferably, powdered Vanilla Sugar (recipe follows)
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/3 cup water
2/3 cup garnulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
pinch of salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Sift the cornstarch and confectioner's (or powdered vanilla) sugar into a bowl. Lightly grease an 8"x8" baking pan and sprinkle 1 Tbs. of the cornstarch and sugar mixture into it. Tilt the pan in all directions to coat the sides as well as the bottom. Leave any excess in the pan.
Sprinkle the gelatin into the water in a small saucepan and let soak for 5 minutes. Add the granulated sugar and stir over moderately low heat until the gelatin and sugar dissolve.
In a large bowl of an electric mixer, combine the gelatin mixture, corn syrup, salt, and vanilla and beat for 15 minutes on high speed, until peaks form.
Spread the fluffy mixture in the prepared pan and smooth the top. Leave for 2 hours, or until set.
With a wet knife, cut the marshmallow mixture into quarters and loosen around the edges. Sprinkle the remaining cornstarch and sugar mixture on a baking sheet and invert the marshmallow blocks onto it. Cut each quarter into 9 pieces and roll each one in the starch and sugar.
Place the marshmallows on a cake rack covered with paper towels and let them stand overnight to dry the surface slightly. Store airtight; the marshmallows will keep for a month.
Powdered Vanilla Sugar
Simply bury 1, 2, or even more vanilla beans in a jar of powdered sugar and cover with a tight lid. If you want the beans to flavor the sugar more quickly, cut them lengthwise with kitchen shears. Do this over the container of sugar so the tiny seeds will land where they belong.