In a few days, I’m going to a concert for the first time in almost exactly six years. I had been wanting to see a concert for awhile now, but none of them worked out. Good seats were gone, the entire floor was a general admission pit (I’m never going to be in a general admission pit – that freaks me out way too much), or it was in the middle of winter.
Then the email for the Justin Timberlake and Jay Z Legends of the Summer tour presale came. I figured I’d just look and see what was available. Of course, seats on the floor, in the twenty first row, on the aisle were staring at me; plus an awesome parking pass was available and the show was in the middle of summer. I had to have these tickets, so with Mom and Dad’s much appreciated permission, I snapped them up.
I can’t tell you how excited I am, especially since I’ve heard nothing but good things about the tour so far. But since I am twenty three going on eighty three, those thoughts of how completely and totally exhausted I’m going to be are creeping into my mind. I have literally had to sit myself down, as I did when I saw Regis, and tell myself this is a once in a lifetime event. It is going to be awesome and I am going to have the BEST NIGHT EVER! I can sleep the next day. So fears, go away, bring on the excitement.
When this week’s Sunday Supper was all about music, I knew I had to be part of it. Music means so much to me because it’s about much more than a beat and notes and lyrics. It’s about memories. Music sinks into my soul and affects me on the deepest levels. Music pulls my emotions this way and that and is quite literally the soundtrack to my life. It’s hearing “Baby One More Time” and thinking of my first concert. It’s knowing every word to “We Are Young” because it inspires me. It’s jamming to “Tunnel Vision” and “Holy Grail” with Mom so we can brush up on Justin and Jay Z while making Cherry Marshmallows.
The soundtrack to my summer is Justin, Jay Z, and my KitchenAid stand mixer, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I needed a song to inspire me in the kitchen. I thought this would be super easy, but it wasn’t. I thought and thought and couldn’t come up with anything. Then it hit me. “I Want Candy,” because, well, I always want candy. Few days go by when I don’t have at least a little candy, gummy worms and bears are my current favorite. And while all those bags of Skittles, jelly beans, and Gushers in my pantry are very yummy, homemade candy is my favorite by far, especially homemade marshmallows.
I’ve posted Vanilla Marshmallows before and made them three or four times since that post, but I wanted a new kind of marshmallow in my repertoire, so I made Cherry Marshmallows. If you’ve never had homemade marshmallows, I implore you to make these because they are a billion times better than store bought. These sticky, fluffy, light, sweet pillows of dessert goodness have a mild cherry flavor. Just make sure you use high quality cherry preserves. So turn up some music and make marshmallows. Summer never sounded better!
Cherry Marshmallows #SundaySupper
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil, for pan
- 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 2/3 cup + ½ cup cold water, divided
- 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2/3 cups cherry preserves (I used American Spoon)
- 2/3 cup light corn syrup
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Confectioner’s sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Oil a 9 by 13 inch pan. Line it with parchment and oil the parchment.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine 2/3 cup water and the gelatin. Allow to sit and soften while you prepare the syrup.
- In a medium saucepan over medium to medium-high heat, place sugar, preserves, corn syrup, and ½ cup water. Bring to a boil, before attaching a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and continuing to cook until the mixture reaches 238 degrees F on the thermometer. Do not stir. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Turn the mixer on to low speed and with the mixer running, slowly drizzle in the syrup. Once all of the syrup is added, slowly turn up the mixer until it is on high speed. This will take several minutes, because the mixture will be liquidy and you do not want it to splash as it is very hot.
- Beat mixture about 10 minutes, until it is glossy, sticky, voluminous, and cooled down. Add vanilla and beat on high for one minute more.
- Pour mixture into prepared pan and allow to sit, uncovered, about 3 hours. Cut marshmallows into squares and dust all sides lightly with confectioner’s sugar. Marshmallows may be stored in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Check out all the other music inspired Sunday Supper dishes!
Prelude (Beverages):
- Calimocho (Red Red Wine Cocktail) from La Cocina de Leslie inspired by Red Red Wine by UB40
- Dark & Stormy Cocktail Recipe from An Appealing Plan inspired by Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen
- Horchata from Treats & Trinkets inspired by Horchata by Vampire Weekend
- Orange Crush from Magnolia Days inspired by Orange Crush by REM
- Pineapple Lemonade Slushy with Coconut Water from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz inspired by Lemon Tree by Peter, Paul & Mary
- Strawberry Tequila from Shockingly Delicious inspired by Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles
Overture (Appetizers):
- Mustard Dill Beer Bread from Curious Cuisiniere inspired by In Heaven There Is No Beer a German Polka
Intermezzo (Entrees & Sides):
- Chicken and Bacon Cheddar Waffles from I Run For Wine inspired by Glady’s Knight
- Classic Fried Chicken from The Food Army Wife inspired by Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band
- Margarita Chicken from In The Kitchen With KP inspired by Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffet
- Meatball Duet from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings inspired by On Top of Spaghetti by Tom Glazer
- Pan-Seared Halibut with Corn Hash and Asparagus Puree from Crazy Foodie Stunts inspired by Saturday Night Fish Fry by Louis Jordan
- Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy BBQ Pulled Pork from Neighborfood inspired by Something Like That by Tim McGraw
- Spaghetti and Pork Meatballs from Family Foodie inspired by On Top of Spaghetti by Kidsongs
- Teriyaki Burger from Juanita’s Cocina inspired by Cheeseburger in Paradise by Jimmy Buffet
Finale (Desserts):
- Banana Cream Pie Bars from Peanut Butter and Peppers inspired by Tra La La Song by The Banana Splits
- Banana Pancake Ice Cream with Maple Brittle from Foxes Love Lemons inspired by Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson
- Cherry Pie from My Cute Bride inspired by Cherry Pie by Warrant
- Cherry Marshmallows from Pies and Plots
- Chocolate Cappuccino Cream Puffs from Runner’s Tales inspired by Choux Pastry Heart by Corinne Bailey Rae
- Chocolate Chip, Walnut and Caramel Banana Bread Ice Cream Sandwich from Ruffles & Truffles inspired by Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani
- Chocolate Covered Caramels from Big Bear’s Wife inspired by At Last by Etta James
- Coconut Rum Blondies from Gotta Get Baked inspired by I’ve Got A Lovely Bunch of Coconuts by Danny Kaye
- Easy Blueberry Recipe: Fruit Tart from Growing Up Gabel inspired by Blueberry Hill by Fats Domino
- Espresso Nib Ice Cream from Vintage Kitchen Notes inspired by Black Coffee by Ella Fitzgerald
- Fancy Watermelon Lime Popsicles from Daily Dish Recipes inspired by Watermelon Crawl by Tracy Byrd
- Fresh Peach Pie from Killer Bunnies, Inc. inspired by Sweet Sweet Pie by PWEI
- Jammin’ Oatmeal Cookies from What Smells So Good? inspired by Jammin’ by Bob Marley
- Many Flavors Whipped Cream from Noshing with the Nolands inspired by Whipped Cream and Other Delights by Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass
- Peach Basil Pie from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen inspired by Peaches by POTUSA
- Pina Colada Poke Cake from Cookin’ Mimi inspired by Two Pina Coladas by Garth Brooks
- Peach Donuts with Brown Sugar from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks inspired by Peaches by POTUSA
- Peach Strudel with Honey Bourbon Frozen Yogurt from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures inspired by My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music & Wild Honey by U2
- Rainbow Pops from The Urban Mrs inspired by Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice
- Salted Ripple Chip No-Churn Ice Cream from Cupcakes & Kale Chips inspired by Ice Cream by Sarah McLachlan
- Salted Peanut Swirl Peanut Butter Ice Cream from girlichef inspired by Salt Peanuts by The Quintet
- Shall We Dance? Fairy Cakes from The Ninja Baker inspired by Shall We Dance from the Japanese Film
- Sugar Crusted Zucchini Bread from That Skinny Chick Can Bake inspired by Sugar, Sugar by the Archies
- Tangerine Sorbet from Webicurean inspired by Tangerine Speedo by Caviar
- Yeasted Banana Bread from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner inspired by I Like Bread and Butter by The New Beats
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
You have fun in the kitchen! Love the marshmallows! They look yummy! Nothing beats homemade marshmallows.
How exciting! That is going to be a great show! And you can rest up the next day 🙂 These sound delicious!
★★★★★
Going to a concert, to all that energy packed in one place is an amazing experience. If you want candy, these marshmallows certainly do the trick Laura! Gorgeous!
I can’t waaaaait to get a KA stand mixer. And you’re so lucky! I’ve never been to a real concert, and now I’m like def. too much of an old lady (plus ya know…I’m broke lol)
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I’m definitely worried my old lady syndrome is going to kick in at the concert 😉
Have so much fun at the concert! And I love how you could change the flavor of these mallows by changing the preserves!
That’s my favorite part of the marshmallows – the possibilities are endless!
I’ve only made regular marshmallows and now you have inspired me to make these cherry ones. I’ll have to wait for a less than miserable humid day though. Summers in Georgia are not friendly to making candy or marshmallows.
How have you not been to a concert in 6 years?! I think I have seen Justin at least twice if not three times in the past 6 years!! He is a great performer, you will have a fabulous time!!! Oh and love these marshamllows 😉
★★★★★
Have fun at the concert! The Cherry Marshmallows are just irresistible! I’m daydreaming about Cherry S’Mores!
Have fun at your concert!! Those marshmallows look awesome. I have found them challenging to make and yours look great!!!
★★★★★
You should give marshmallows another try, Tara! I find that they are really fun to make and turn out well – maybe you just tried a bad recipe.
Gorgeous marshmallows! Have a blast at the concert! I’m taking my daughter to a concert next month and I can understand the worry about exhaustion…b/c I AM an old lady!!! LOL.
I didn’t even know you could add jam to marshmallows!! Now the possibilities are endless!
Mmmmm…cherry marshmallows! Mmmmm…Justin Timberlake!
Hahaha! Thanks, Heather!
ooooh this looks perfect, love that you made em cherry!
I love your summer soundtrack! I need to make some more marshmallows soon, they are so much fun, and people are always so impressed.
Wow, have fun at the concert! I’m totally jealous!
How fun, these look delightful! Hope you have a wonderful time at the concert! Yes, music is a magical thing, for sure!
I love marshmallows, but never had cherry ones. That’s got to change! These look terrific. Have a great time at the concert, and thanks for this.
You should definitely try the cherry ones, John! So yummy 🙂
I hope you have an awesome time – sounds like a great concert! 🙂
Yum! this week was my first #sundaysupper and i totally loved the theme. These look lovely and I can’t believe I have still never made my own marshmallows!
I’ve never even heard of cherry marshmallows before. They look divine! Have fun at the concert. Last concert I saw was at least 6 years ago- Elton John!. I’d much rather see Justin Timberlake and Jay Z!
Thanks, Christin! I bet Elton John puts on a great show too!
Cherries are my favorite! So good to see recipes that use them… Pretty, pretty cherry marshmallows…
Have so much fun at the concert!! These marshmallows are so cute!
Marshmallows look delicious and enjoy the show!
I love making homemade marshmallows. These sound so good! And have fun at the concert!
I do make marshmallows but have never made cherry. My daughter would love these! And have fun-maybe you’ll even spy Beyonce!
Love homemade marshmallows and can’t wait to try these cherry ones. 🙂 Thanks for hosting such a fun giveaway. 🙂 Yes, haven’t came across anyone who doesn’t like Amazon! 😉
SOOOO jealous about the concert!! I wish I had had the foresight to get tickets! You’re going to have so much fun.
Also – these look awesome. I’ve only made homemade marshmallows once but they are the best. Love the cherry infusion!!
My husband has been wanting to make homemade marshmallows! Thanks for sharing. These look so yummy. 🙂
Very good, I love the cherry flavor.
My daughter loves Justin Timberlake and would be so jealous! I hope you have fun at the concert! I’ve never tried cherry marshmallows but these look delicious!
First, I am super jealous you are going to that concert. I have seen JT live before and he puts on an incredible show. Speaking of incredible, those marshmallows!!! I must have them now!
I really do need to make my own marshmallows some day. These look delicious!
I am so jealous your’e going to the Justin TImberlake concert. I’m not a huge concert goer but that is one I thought would definitely be worth it! Have a fabulous time!
I have never made marshmallows.. and now I am very intrigued! Thanks!
I so want to try to make marshmallows some day. These look great! You’ve inspired me!
Homemade marshmallows are the best! You should totally give them a try, Karen, and thanks for visiting!
How cute would these be for Valentines Day if a heart-shaped cookie cutter was used to make little marshmallow hearts?! Love! 🙂
Great idea, Christina 🙂