Marshmallows, but with a little more going on.
Our friends Laura and Bren from Holist are back with these very good Blue Honey Immunity Marshmallows, made with raw honey, grass fed gelatin and Mindful Foods Stardust Blue Immunity Powder.
They’re soft, fluffy, naturally sweetened and VERY blue, thanks to our Stardust blend of butterfly pea flower, blue spirulina, elderberry, ginger and astragalus.
Finished with a final dusting of Stardust and a little bee pollen, they’re a fun one to make at home, especially when you’re looking for a sweet treat with some good stuff built in.
Recipe
Blue Honey Immunity Marshmallows
Makes: 20 to 24 chunky marshmallows
Prep time: 20 minutes
Set time: Minimum 3 hours
Gluten free | Refined sugar free
Ingredients
- ½ cup powdered gelatin
- ¾ cup cold water
- 1 cup raw honey
- ¾ cup water
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- Generous pinch of sea salt
- 3 tbsp Stardust Blue Immunity Powder
- Extra Stardust Blue Immunity Powder, for dusting
- Bee pollen, optional, to finish
- Coconut oil, for greasing
Instructions
1. Lightly grease a 20 cm square tin with coconut oil and line with baking paper. Lightly grease the baking paper too.
2. Pour the ¾ cup cold water into a large heatproof mixing bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the surface of the water and leave for 5 to 10 minutes, until the water has been absorbed and the gelatin is thick and jelly-like.
3. Add the honey, ¾ cup water, vanilla and sea salt to a small saucepan.
4. If your honey is crystallised, begin over low heat and stir gently until the crystals have completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
5. Increase the heat and bring the honey mixture to a boil. Heat until it reaches approximately 100°C.
6. If you do not have a thermometer, look for the honey mixture to reach a full, active boil, with bubbles steadily breaking across the entire surface rather than only appearing around the edges. Once it reaches this stage, remove it from the heat.
7. Keep an eye on the saucepan as honey can foam and rise quickly once boiling.
8. Carefully pour the hot honey mixture over the bloomed gelatin.
9. Stir briefly until the gelatin has completely melted into the hot syrup and the mixture is smooth.
10. Using electric hand beaters, begin beating on low speed before gradually increasing to high.
11. Whip for approximately 5 minutes, until the mixture has dramatically increased in volume and become pale, thick, glossy and fluffy.
12. Rather than relying solely on time, look at the texture. The beaters should leave visible tracks through the marshmallow, and when lifted, the mixture should fall back into the bowl in thick ribbons that briefly hold their shape on the surface.
13. Towards the very end of whipping, add 3 tablespoons Stardust Blue Immunity Powder directly to the bowl.
14. Continue beating briefly, just until the powder is completely incorporated and the marshmallow is evenly blue.
15. Immediately transfer the marshmallow mixture into the prepared tin.
16. Use a lightly greased spatula to spread it to the edges, leaving some soft swirls and peaks across the surface.
17. While the marshmallow is still wet and tacky, lightly sift over some extra Stardust Blue Immunity Powder.
18. If using bee pollen, scatter a small amount over the surface now.
19. Leave at room temperature for a minimum of 3 hours, or until completely set and springy.
20. Lift the marshmallow slab from the tin using the baking paper.
21. Lightly grease a large, sharp knife with coconut oil and cut into generous 4 to 5 cm squares.
22. For the cleanest edges, press the knife straight down rather than sawing. Wipe and lightly re-oil the blade between cuts.
How do these marshmallows support the immune system?
Stardust Blue Immunity Powder
A blend of butterfly pea flower, blue spirulina, elderberry, ginger and astragalus, bringing together a range of naturally occurring antioxidants and plant compounds traditionally used to support immune health.
Elderberry is particularly rich in anthocyanins, the antioxidant pigments responsible for its deep purple colour. It also has a long history of traditional use during cold and flu season.
Ginger contains gingerols and other bioactive compounds that have been studied for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Astragalus has a long history of use, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine, and contains polysaccharides and other plant compounds studied for their potential role in supporting immune function.
Butterfly pea contributes anthocyanin pigments and other antioxidant compounds, while blue spirulina provides phycocyanin, the striking blue pigment that gives these marshmallows their colour and has also been studied for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Grass Fed Gelatin
Gelatin is naturally rich in amino acids including glycine and proline, which provide some of the building blocks the body uses to maintain connective tissues and the gut lining. Supporting a healthy gut barrier is one part of supporting overall health and normal immune function.
Raw Honey
More than just a natural sweetener, raw honey contains polyphenols, flavonoids, enzymes and other bioactive compounds that contribute antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
A note on bee pollen
We’ve used a little bee pollen as an optional finishing touch. Bee pollen contains a range of nutrients and antioxidant plant compounds, including flavonoids.
It is also one to know your own body with. Bee pollen and other bee products can trigger allergic reactions in some people, so if you have a known sensitivity or allergy, simply leave it off. These little blue beauties certainly don’t need it.
