The Sugarologist’s Maple Vanilla Marshmallows With Spiced Maple Milk

For the maple-swirled vanilla marshmallows

• 1 cup + 5 tsp water (half for the syrup and half for the gelatine) 
• ⅛ cup powdered gelatine
• 1 ¾ cups 400g raw caster sugar
• ½ cup pure Canadian maple syrup (preferably amber syrup for its rich taste)
• 2 tsp vanilla bean paste 
• Sea salt flakes
• ⅗ cup 100ml pure Canadian maple syrup (preferably dark syrup for its robust taste) for swirling
• Cornflour for dusting 
• Unflavoured coconut oil for greasing 

For the spiced maple milk

• 2 cups + 1 tbsp milk
• 5 crushed cardamon pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 
• ¼ tsp nutmeg, grated
• 1 tsp maple sugar
• 1 tsp unsalted butter
• Extra grated nutmeg and maple syrup, to top 
• Cinnamon sticks, to garnish

For the maple-swirled vanilla marshmallow

1. Bloom the gelatine by sprinkling it over half of the cold water in an approximately one-litre heat-proof bowl and set aside.
2. In a saucepan, bring the remaining water, sugar and maple syrup to a gentle boil.
3. Reduce heat and simmer until the mixture measures 120°C on a sugar thermometer.
4. Sit to cool for 4 minutes, then whisk it into the gelatine mixture to dissolve.
5. Transfer to a mixer with a whisk attachment and whisk on high until thick and fluffy, and able to hold its shape — this takes around 8 minutes. Make sure the bowl is heatproof. 
6. Beat in the vanilla bean paste and salt flakes until combined.
7. Grease a 20cm square deep cake tin with coconut oil.
8. Empty in the marshmallow mixture and quickly swirl in the additional dark maple syrup.
9. Allow to set at room temperature for at least 2 hours. They will cut even better left overnight.
10. Cut into 3cm cubes using sharp, greased knife, and dust with a little cornflour to stop the marshmallows sticking together.
11. Store the marshmallows in an airtight container at room temperature.

For the spiced milk

1. Bring the milk, spices, vanilla and maple sugar to a gentle boil in a saucepan. Turn down the heat to the lowest setting and allow the mixture to infuse for 5 minutes, stirring from time to time.
2. Whisk in the butter.
3. Strain the hot milk into a large mug and top with maple vanilla marshmallows, a sprinkle of nutmeg and extra syrup.
4. Decorate with a cinnamon stick.