Why Make This Recipe
Making Ghostbusters Stay Puft marshmallows is a fun and creative way to bring a classic movie monster to life in your kitchen. These giant, fluffy treats are perfect for themed parties, movie nights, or simply as a delightful snack for anyone who loves marshmallows and the iconic Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. It’s a project that’s both enjoyable to make and impressive to share, offering a unique twist on a beloved confection.
How to Make Ghostbusters Stay Puft Marshmallows
Making Ghostbusters Stay Puft marshmallows involves combining a few simple ingredients to create a sweet, airy confection. The process typically includes blooming gelatin, heating sugar syrup, whipping them together, and then letting the mixture set. The large size is what really makes them stand out, capturing the essence of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
Ingredients of Ghostbusters Stay Puft Marshmallows:
- Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and structure.
- Light corn syrup: Helps prevent sugar crystallization, keeping the marshmallows soft and chewy.
- Water: Used to dissolve the sugar and bloom the gelatin.
- Unflavored gelatin packets: The gelling agent that gives marshmallows their bouncy texture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, classic marshmallow flavor.
- Powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar): Used for dusting, preventing sticking, and adding a slight sweetness.
- Cornstarch: Often combined with powdered sugar for dusting, further preventing stickiness.
Directions of Ghostbusters Stay Puft Marshmallows:
- Prepare your pan: Lightly grease a large baking pan (like a 9×13 inch) and dust it generously with a mixture of powdered sugar and cornstarch. Set aside.
- Bloom the gelatin: In the bowl of a stand mixer, sprinkle the gelatin over a portion of the cold water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to soften.
- Make the sugar syrup: In a saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and the remaining water. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat and bring the syrup to a boil. Without stirring, cook until the syrup reaches 240°F (115°C) on a candy thermometer.
- Combine and whip: Carefully pour the hot sugar syrup over the bloomed gelatin in the stand mixer bowl. Turn the mixer on low speed to gently combine, then increase to high speed. Whip for 10-15 minutes, or until the mixture is very thick, white, shiny, and has tripled in volume.
- Add flavor: Beat in the vanilla extract during the last minute of whipping.
- Pour and set: Quickly pour the marshmallow mixture into your prepared pan. Use an oiled spatula to gently spread it evenly. Dust the top generously with more powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture.
- Rest: Let the marshmallows set at room temperature for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until firm to the touch.
- Cut: Once set, invert the marshmallow slab onto a cutting board heavily dusted with the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture. Use a large, oiled knife or pizza cutter to cut into large squares or desired shapes. Dust all cut sides with more powdered sugar mixture to prevent sticking.
Ghostbusters Stay Puft marshmallows
Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
Yield: 36 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A spooky and sweet treat, these Classic Ghostbusters Stay Puft Marshmallows are fluffy, homemade delights perfect for roasting, hot chocolate, or just snacking. They’re dangerously delicious and surprisingly easy to make!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup cornstarch
Instructions
1. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan and dust generously with a mixture of powdered sugar and cornstarch. Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Continue cooking without stirring until the mixture reaches 240°F (115°C) on a candy thermometer.
3. While the sugar mixture is cooking, begin whisking the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until soft peaks form.
4. Once the sugar mixture reaches 240°F, remove from heat. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly and carefully pour the hot syrup in a steady stream into the egg whites. Increase speed to high and beat until the mixture is very thick, glossy, and holds stiff peaks, about 8-10 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract.
5. Immediately scrape the marshmallow mixture into the prepared baking pan. Using an offset spatula lightly greased, spread evenly.
6. Dust the top generously with more of the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture. Let sit at room temperature for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until set.
7. Once firm, invert the marshmallow slab onto a cutting board dusted with the powdered sugar mixture. Cut into desired shapes using a sharp, greased knife or cookie cutters. Dust all cut sides with the powdered sugar mixture to prevent sticking. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
These Ghostbusters Stay Puft marshmallows are incredibly versatile! Try them in s’mores for a truly supernatural experience, or float them in a mug of hot cocoa. For an extra touch, you can even lightly toast them with a kitchen torch before serving. Make sure your candy thermometer is accurate for best results.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 marshmallow
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
How to Serve Ghostbusters Stay Puft Marshmallows
Serve Ghostbusters Stay Puft marshmallows as a fun dessert, a snack, or as a giant addition to your hot cocoa. They are also fantastic roasted over a fire, creating a delightfully gooey exterior. You can simply arrange them on a platter for a party or package them individually as edible favors.
How to Store Ghostbusters Stay Puft Marshmallows
Store Ghostbusters Stay Puft marshmallows in an airtight container at room temperature. Make sure they are thoroughly coated in powdered sugar and cornstarch to prevent them from sticking together. They will stay fresh for up to a week. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator, as this can make them hard and chewy.
Tips to Make Ghostbusters Stay Puft Marshmallows
- Accurate temperature is key: Use a reliable candy thermometer to ensure your sugar syrup reaches the correct temperature. This is crucial for the marshmallow’s texture.
- Work quickly: Once the marshmallow mixture is whipped, it starts to set pretty fast. Have your pan ready and work quickly to spread it.
- Heavy dusting: Do not skimp on the powdered sugar and cornstarch dust. It prevents sticking and makes handling the marshmallows much easier.
- Oiled tools: Lightly oil your spatula and knife to prevent the sticky marshmallow from adhering to them during spreading and cutting.
- Patience for setting: Allow enough time for the marshmallows to fully set. Rushing this step will result in a sticky, soft marshmallow that is difficult to cut.
Variation
You can add food coloring to the marshmallow mixture during the last minute of whipping for a fun colorful twist, although for Stay Puft, white is classic. Also, consider adding other extracts like almond or peppermint for different flavor profiles.
FAQs
Can I make these marshmallows without a stand mixer?
While a stand mixer makes the process much easier, you can use a hand mixer with a powerful motor. Be prepared for a longer whipping time and potentially a tired arm.
Why are my marshmallows sticky?
If your marshmallows are too sticky, it could be due to not cooking the sugar syrup to a high enough temperature, not whipping the mixture long enough, or not dusting them thoroughly enough with powdered sugar and cornstarch.
How can I make individual Stay Puft Marshmallow Man shapes?
To make individual shapes, you can pour the marshmallow mixture into silicone molds that have been dusted with powdered sugar. Alternatively, you can cut the fully set marshmallow slab into large squares and then use kitchen shears or a small knife to gently round the edges. Some people also use edible markers to draw faces on the cut marshmallows.
Ghostbusters Stay Puft marshmallows: 9 Tasty Treats
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- parchment paper
- small bowl
- saucepan
- candy thermometer
- stand mixer
- greased spatula
- greased knife or pizza cutter
- piping bag (for royal icing)
Ingredients
Marshmallow Ingredients
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 0.5 cup cold water
- 3 unflavored gelatin packets
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup powdered sugar
- 0.5 cup cornstarch
- blue food coloring optional
Decoration Ingredients
- royal icing for details
- black edible marker for details
Instructions
Preparation
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on the sides. Dust generously with a mixture of powdered sugar and cornstarch.
- In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup of cold water and let it bloom while you prepare the syrup.
Making the Marshmallow Base
- Combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, and the remaining 1/2 cup of cold water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring the mixture to a boil without stirring and cook until it reaches 240°F (115°C) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat.
- Pour the hot syrup over the bloomed gelatin in the stand mixer bowl and mix on low speed. Gradually increase speed to high and beat for about 10-12 minutes until thick, white, and fluffy.
- Beat in the vanilla extract during the last minute of mixing. If desired, add a few drops of blue food coloring for a light blue tint, reminiscent of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
Setting and Cutting
- Pour the marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a greased spatula. Let it set at room temperature for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
- Once set, invert the marshmallow onto a surface dusted with the powdered sugar-cornstarch mixture. Peel off the parchment paper and cut into squares using a greased knife or pizza cutter.
- Dust all sides of the cut marshmallows with the powdered sugar-cornstarch mixture to prevent sticking.
Decorating (Optional)
- For the Stay Puft design, use royal icing to pipe on the distinctive hat ribbon and facial features. Utilize a black edible marker to add finer details like pupils and outlines.