Red Hots Marshmallow Pops!

Red Hots Marshmallows!

When an idea for a treat pops into my head, I scribble out a sketch on the nearest thing I can find. It might be an envelope,  a sticky note, the back of my book of checks (what? you don't do that?), or, if I'm lucky, the notebook I have dedicated just for this purpose. Then..I get all excited and antsy until I can take it from paper to pan! I love coming up with a new flavor of marshmallows. These Red Hots Marshmallows come to you by way of a favorite candy of mine from childhood. I always had a stash of these wonderfully cinnamon treats. 

I think these turned out great!

 Let's start with these yummy Red Hots!

 Just 1/4 teaspoon and the flavor was just right!

 Let's crush some candy! If you don't have a food processor,

 just smash these candies in a baggie with a rolling pin.

After crushing candy, pour into sieve. Using a spoon, stir to separate powdered candy dust from the bigger pieces. Empty into separate bowls.

 Preparing the *bloom*.

 Half way through mixing time, add vanilla and Red Hots candy dust.

Pretty red paper straws. They just look like a party!

 Aren't these sweet?!

Red Hots Marshmallows Recipe

2 Tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup cold water

2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup Red Hots (crushed)

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup hot tap water

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

2 large egg whites

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon oil

Sprinkle gelatin over a small bowl with 1/2  cup cold water, stir and set aside. Pour Red Hots into food processor. I pulsed mine several times for about 45 seconds to a minute.

(See photos above for explanation on dividing crushed candy)

In a heavy bottomed, straight sided saucepan, mix together sugar, Red Hots candy pieces, corn syrup, hot water and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. (Don't worry that the Red Hots will not be fully melted) Attach candy thermometer. Continue cooking without stirring until candy reaches soft ball stage. Thermometer will read 235-240 degrees. Remove from heat, add gelatin mixture and cinnamon oil. Set aside. 

In mixer, with whisk attachment, beat egg whites till stiff peaks form. With mixer on low speed, carefully pour in hot sugar mixture and flavors. Switch to high speed and mix for 10 minutes. Halfway through, mix in the powdered Red Hots candy dust and vanilla, continue mixing. If making marshmallow pops, snip off corner of large size baggie, insert a large circle decorating tip and fill with marshmallow. Prepare surface liberally with confectioners sugar, lay paper straws over sugar and pipe onto the straws. If you want regular cut marshmallows, pour into a pan lightly sprayed with non-stick spray and let sit overnight. Cover candy loosely. Cut with pizza wheel or sharp knife sprayed with non-stick spray. Fill bowl with confectioners sugar and shake marshmallows till completely coated.

Wishing you a

Sugartown Sweets

 kind of day where we're

Keeping Life Sweet!

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Buzzing With Cuteness Bee Day Cookies!

It's my birthday!
At least it was earlier this month. I always leave our birthday cards up on the fireplace mantle for the entire month. I love the thought of someone taking the time out to choose a card just for me...especially those that include handwritten notes. They're all my favorites..whether from family or friends. Cards from my sweet Mom are treasures indeed, cause you know, hers always tell me what an awesome daughter I am. ;) My Aunt Anna Maye has been sending me beautiful cards since I was little girl! My son usually gives me a sweet and humorous card while my daughter presents me with a heartfelt tearjerker. Lol and *sniff sniff*. Romantic and funny cards from my sweet hunky hubby. I keep them all. I absolutely can not throw them away. I mean, can you blame me? Especially those precious birthday wishes scribbled with my grandbabies little hands. I will forever cherish those from my dear ole Dad. In the day of electronic birthday greetings (I love those too!), today's post is an ode to those of the old fashion variety. Keep those birthday cards coming!

*Inspiration for this cookie found here @ Marges8's Blog*
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Make your favorite cut out cookie dough or you could use the recipe I've included below.

Place cookies on parchment lined baking sheet and chill for 15 minutes before baking.

Using a fondant roller and cookie cutter, cut out fondant pieces and lay them out on parchment paper.

Once cookies have cooled, attach fondant pieces with corn syrup.

Cut out pretty flower shapes.

Attach candy pieces to cookies and bees with a paintbrush dipped in corn syrup.

Ahhh...so pretty!

Time to make the bumble bees..

One of my favorite things..pink pearl dust.

Roll out black fondant and cut strips with a long sharp knife dusted with confectioner sugar.

Ain't he just bee-autiful!

Cut out green fondant circles with circle fondant cutter. For the pink "paper" strips, I used the rectangle cookie cutter and then using a sharp knife, I just cut off the size needed for each cookie.

Making bumble bee day cookie cards is a buzzy business!

Cinnamon Flavored Cut Out Cookie Dough
1 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cup sugar 
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Combine all dry ingredients in separate bowl.
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well. Gradually add flour mixture on low to combine. Gently knead the dough a little to fully incorporate any dry bits.
Chill dough. Roll out on surface lightly dusted with flour. Cut out cookies and place on parchment lined baking pan. Chill 15 minutes. Bake @ 375 for 7-9 minutes.
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SUGARTOWN SWEETS!
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