Hiding under the bed….
That was my solution when I was supposed to take medicine when I was sick as a kid. I didn’t like the taste and my poor parents would have to chase me down to get me to take it. Fast forward a lot of years (more than I’d like to admit) and it is a much different story when I have to get my kids to take remedies when they are sick.
They actually love it, and beg for it, and wish they could take it all the time!
Especially when it is elderberry syrup!
A New Take on Elderberry
Recently, I was making two of my kids’ favorite things on the same day: elderberry syrup and homemade marshmallows. I had some extra elderberry liquid from making the elderberry syrup and had a great idea: elderberry marshmallows.
The result was a light purple, delicious, and immune-boosting treat that my kids love!
If you aren’t familiar with elderberries or can’t imagine why you’d want to make marshmallows with them, here are some of the benefits:
- Popular cold and flu remedy
- Many people use in cold months to ward off illnesses
- Helps lessen coughs, sore throats, and runny noses
- Natural source of antioxidants and vitamins
- Kids love it!
Where to get ingredients:
This recipe only requires a few basic ingredients…
Elderberries
The only unusual ingredient you need to make these is elderberries. I personally buy organic elderberries from a trusted source. Here are the ones I use.
In some areas, you can even grow or wildcraft your own elderberries. Just make sure to only use the berries and to remove even tiny pieces of the stems and leaves, as these are not beneficial and can be toxic if eaten.
Gelatin
You’ll also need gelatin to help the marshmallows reach the right texture. I use a pasture raised high-quality gelatin. For this recipe, you will need actual gelatin (not collagen powder) for its ability to “gel.” I get it here – it is the one called “beef gelatin” in the green can.
How to Make Elderberry Marshmallows
Many people don’t realize that it is super easy to make marshmallows. They won’t be the artificially stiff and sickeningly sweet ones you will find at the store, but they will be better in my opinion.
The only ingredients needed are water, gelatin, honey/syrup, and in this case, elderberries and optional spices.
The Recipe…
Elderberry Marshmallows Recipe (Immune Boosting & Kids Love)
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 TBSP dried elderberries
- 1 tsp cinnamon optional
- ½ tsp whole cloves optional
- ½ inch piece of fresh ginger root optional
- 4 TBSP gelatin powder
- 1 cup maple syrup or honey or to taste
Instructions
- Bring the dried elderberries, spices (if using), and the water to a boil in a small pan. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Strain out the elderberries and spices and measure out 1 cup of the resulting liquid.
- Put ½ cup of the liquid in a mixer bowl, or large bowl if using a hand mixer, and add the gelatin powder. Mix lightly to incorporate and set aside.
- Combine the remaining ½ cup of liquid and the honey or maple syrup in a saucepan. Slowly bring the water and honey mixture to a boil. If you have a kitchen thermometer, you want it to reach at least 240 degrees. If not, just keep boiling, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Turn on mixer with gelatin mixture to medium speed ans whisk while slowly pouring the honey/water mixture into the mixing bowl with the gelatin mix (which will be hardened by now).
- When add honey mix is added, turn the mixer to high and whisk for another 10-15 minutes or until it forms a stiff cream the consistency of marshmallow cream. It should form soft peaks.
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with coconut oil, or line with parchment paper, leaving some on the sides to be able to pull up.
- When marshmallows are whipped, pour into the lined/greased dish and smooth evenly.
- Let rest at least 4 hours (overnight is better).
- Flip on to a cutting board and cut with a well oiled pizza cutter or knife. Dust with cinnamon powder and/or coconut sugar if desired to keep from being sticky.
- Store in an airtight container on the counter.
Notes
Nutrition
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Ever made marshmallows? If not- give it a try!
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I just made these and my toddler loves them! I wanted to share what I did though…
I think I over-mixed my gelatin mixture before pouring (or I waited too long and it started to congeal before I poured). So I ended up with a very uneven bumpy mess, but I heated my oven to 350F and put the whole pan in there and it all melted a little bit and smoothed out. We’ll see if they come out of the pan easy! I used coconut oil to grease it.
Hopefully my husband will eat these too, because he is my non-compliant when it comes to “natural” healing things. 🙂
And they are sweet, but not too too sweet. I could definitely cut back on the honey/maple syrup (I used half and half) myself, but I think with the cinnamon, the sweetness is nice and festive tasting if that makes sense… they taste like an Autumn treat.
Are this sweet enough? I have an eight y. o. that wont take anything that is not sweet enough. Thanks!
These look really good and I am sure my children would love them. I am just curious if these should be limited to one a day and maybe no elderberry syrup that day?
It depends on how big you cut them, but I use much less dried elderberry in these than in the syrup so the kids can eat more per day.
What a great idea! Do you know how long these will stay good for?
Ditto on Taryn’s question. How long will they last? I’d like to make them ahead of time for cases of winter illness.
About 3-4 days at room temperature.
Why can the plain, non-elderberry marshmallows last 3-4 weeks, but the elderberry ones can only last 3-4 days?
I’ve found that the cinnamon & honey (maybe the cloves too) have preservative qualities to make my elderberry syrup last for months (I make and sell elderberry syrup). Why would those ingredients lengthen the life of the syrup, but the same ingredients shorten the life of the marshmallows?
What is an option for the beef gelatin. My family do very little meat and no red meat at all, so the beef gelatin is out.
Thank you! They look delicious!
I get mine here: https://wellnessmama.com/go/gelatin/
Hi Katie,
I always love your recipes, thank you!
I think you have mentioned in other recipes that it is very important not to heat honey as it can become toxic when heated, what about in this recipe? Is it just something we have to overlook to make marshmallows?
According to Ayruveda heating honey above 104 degrees makes it toxic to the body. http://www.ayurvedicyogi.com/honey-ayurvedic-nectar-or-poisin/
How long will they last? I was going to make elderberry syrup today… Then this popped up! Looks yummy!
Can these marshmallows be used for rice krispy treats?
I haven’t tried…
I have used wellness mama’s original marshmallow recipe (without the probiotics) and mixed in popped amaranth and my kids loved it.
Yes! I use it directly from the bowl! But I’m sure you could do it after they are set up.
Yes! I have done it before! I want to say that maybe it tended to be a little softer than when I have used store bought marshmallows. It was a special treat for my son’s birthday!