It's Snowing Marshmallows

Here is a fun recipe that you can wrap up and put in stockings, give as gifts, or put in a dish for anyone to enjoy.

Start by making these homemade marshamallows.  You will need...

3 1/2 (.25 oz) envelopes unflavored gelatin (2 Tbsp. plus 2.5 tsp)
1/2 cup cold water
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp powdered egg whties
1/2 cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup powered sugar, divided

Sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water in a medium mixing bowl.  Stir to blend gelatin, and let stand 5 minutes.
Whisk together granulated sugar and next 3 ingredients in a medium heavy saucepan.  Cook over medium-low heat, stiring constantly, 3 minutes or until sugar dissolve.  Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook, without stirring, 12 minutes or until candy thermometer registers 240 degrees.  remove from heat; add to the gelatin mixture, stirring until gelatin dissolves.  Beat at high speed with an electric mixer 8 minutes or until thick and tripled in size.
Combine powerded egg whites and 1/4 cup of water in a small mixing bowl.  Beat at high speed with an electric mixer 6 minutes or until stiff peaks form.  Fold egg whites and vanilla into sugar mixture.
Pour mixture into a lightly greased 13x9 inch pan coated with powdered sugar.  Sprinkle 1/4 cup of powdered sugar.  Cover and chill overnight.
Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosed.  Invert marshmallows onto a cutting board.  Using cookie cutters (I used snowflake cutters) push down hard all the way through the marshmallow then pull away.  Dredge the cutouts into the remaining powdered sugar.  Push a lollipop stick into the bottom of the shape.  Sprinkle colored sugars or white chocolate on the cut outs.  Wrap in treat bags and ribbon.  Enjoy!