Elderberry Marshmallows Recipe (Immune Boosting & Kids Love)

If you’re looking for a tasty way to get your immune-supporting antioxidants, look no further than these homemade elderberry marshmallows!

This fun recipe combines the health benefits of elderberries with the kid-approved deliciousness of marshmallows. Elderberry provides antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects while the marshmallow root soothes sore throats. They make a perfect soothing snack to help fight off colds and flu.

Keep reading to learn why elderberries are so beneficial, how to make your own elderberry marshmallows, storage instructions, recipe variations, and tips to make the process easy. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of marshmallows that are nutritious and irresistible.

Why Elderberries are Beneficial

Elderberries, the deep purple fruit of the Sambucus tree, are renowned for their immune-boosting powers. Both the elderberry fruit and flowers contain high levels of anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Consuming elderberries provides several key health perks:

– Antiviral properties to fight viral infections and help prevent colds/flu

– Provides antioxidant protection against free radical cellular damage

– Boosts immune system function and activity of natural killer cells

– Soothes sore throats, coughs, and congestion

– May help shorten duration and reduce symptoms of cold/flu

– Anti-inflammatory effects help reduce swelling and pain

– Improves heart health by reducing LDL and total cholesterol

– Potential anticancer benefits from anthocyanin antioxidants

The flavonoids and anthocyanins that give elderberries their vivid purple color are responsible for many of these effects. Harnessing their benefits in marshmallow form makes it easy and tasty to get your daily dose.

Why Make Elderberry Marshmallows?

Homemade elderberry marshmallows have some advantages over buying elderberry supplements:

– Delicious flavor that both kids and adults enjoy

– Retains more of the elderberry’s nutrients when homemade

– Allows you to control the ingredients – no artificial colors/flavors/preservatives

– Can customize to yourpreferred elderberry dosage needs

– Marshmallow root itself has benefits for sore throat, cough, and congestion

– Fun DIY cooking project with easy steps

– Less expensive than pre-made elderberry products

– Works as a preventative or to minimize cold/flu duration

– Makes elderberries more appetizing than taking capsules or syrup

So rather than forcing down a medicinal syrup, you can get your antiviral and antioxidant fix in a far tastier marshmallow delivery system.

How to Make Elderberry Marshmallows

Now let’s get into how to actually make your own elderberry marshmallows at home.

Ingredients:

– 1⁄4 cup dried elderberries
– 1 Tbsp marshmallow root powder
– 3 Tbsp grass-fed gelatin powder
– 1⁄2 cup honey or maple syrup
– 1⁄4 cup water
– 1⁄2 tsp vanilla extract
– Cornstarch for dusting

Steps:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the elderberries, marshmallow root, gelatin powder, sweetener, water, and vanilla. Whisk well to break up any clumps.

2. Let mixture sit for 5-10 minutes to allow gelatin to ‘bloom’ and absorb the liquid.

3. Heat the mixture over medium-low, stirring frequently, until just warm and starting to steam slightly. Remove from heat.

4. Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until completely smooth. Alternately, let cool slightly and blend in a countertop blender.

5. Lightly grease an 8×8 baking pan and dust with a layer of cornstarch. Pour in the elderberry marshmallow mixture. Smooth the top evenly.

6. Allow pan to sit uncovered at room temperature for 4-6 hours until completely firm.

7. Turn marshmallow out onto a cutting board dusted with cornstarch. Cut into 1-2″ squares with a lightly oiled knife. Dust all sides with more cornstarch to prevent sticking.

8. Store covered at room temperature up to 1 week or in the refrigerator up to 1 month.

That’s it! With just a few basic steps, you’ve created marshmallows that offer tasty immune support.

Tips for Making Elderberry Marshmallows

Here are some helpful tips for successfully whipping up a batch of elderberry marshmallows:

– Use dried whole elderberries for the most antioxidant and nutrient density. Dried elderberry powder also works.

– Always start by blooming the gelatin in the liquid ingredients to allow it to absorb and activate.

– Simmering the mixture helps infuse the health benefits of the elderberry without destroying heat-sensitive components. Don’t boil.

– Puree the mixture until completely smooth for an even marshmallow texture. No elderberry bits should remain.

– If mixture is too thin, let chill longer before cutting into squares. Mixture thickens as it cools.

– Use just enough cornstarch to lightly coat the pan and prevent sticking. Excess starch can make them chalky.

– Cut marshmallows when still slightly warm for clean edges. Chilling too much makes them hard to cut.

– Store leftover marshmallows between parchment to prevent sticking if not eating all at once.

The natural purple color from the elderberries gives these marshmallows visual appeal along with great taste. Kids won’t even realize they’re packed with antiviral goodness!

Health Benefits of Ingredients

Along with elderberry, the other ingredients in this recipe also provide nutritional value:

– Marshmallow root contains mucilage that soothes sore throat and coughs. Also has anti-inflammatory effects on membranes.

– Gelatin provides protein for tissue repair, amino acids for hair/skin/nails, and aids digestion.

– Honey has enzymes, nutrients, and antioxidants. Manuka honey adds even more antibacterial power.

– Maple syrup provides minerals like zinc and manganese along with antioxidants.

This medicinal marshmallow recipe harnesses multiple ingredients that care for your body and taste buds at the same time.

Adjusting the Elderberry Dosage

The amount of dried elderberries in this recipe provides a moderate dosage of anthocyanins and flavonoids for general immune support. However, the dose can easily be increased:

– For mild prevention – Use 1-2 Tbsp dried elderberries

– For active cold/flu – Use up to 1/4 cup dried elderberries

– For high antioxidants – Use 1/4 cup or more elderberries

Since elderberry has no toxicity issues, you can adjust the amount to suit your needs. Just keep the other ingredients the same proportions.

If using elderberry syrup instead of dried elderberries, use approximately 1/4-1/2 cup for equal potency. Get creative with different amounts of elderberry to find your perfect dose.

Recipe Variations

This basic elderberry marshmallow recipe can be tweaked in many ways:

Flavors:

– Peppermint – Add peppermint extract for a cooler, minty flavor

– Lemon – Use lemon zest and juice instead of vanilla

– Lavender – Infuse with dried lavender buds or extract

– Rose – Enhance flavor with rosewater and rose petals

– Vanilla – Use vanilla bean seeds scraped from the pod for flavor

– Chai – Add common chai spices – cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger

Sweeteners:

– Honey – Has immunity boosting antioxidants. Manuka honey adds antibacterial effect.

– Maple syrup – Has nutrients like manganese, zinc, calcium, potassium.

– Monk fruit – No-calorie sweetener that won’t spike blood sugar.

– Stevia – Herbal sweetener that contains zero sugar.

– Coconut sugar – Low glycemic impact sweetener with nutrients.

Added Superfoods:

– Cocoa powder – For antioxidant and mood-boosting theobromine.

– Colloidal oatmeal – Soothes irritation and congestion.

– Ground turmeric – Natural anti-inflammatory.

– Ginger powder – Settles upset stomach.

– Probiotics – For gut and immune health.

Any of these variations provide their own healthy perks while creating a unique flavor profile. Feel free to experiment to find your favorite elderberry marshmallow combinations.

Handy Substitutions

If you’re missing an ingredient for the marshmallows, here are some possible easy substitutions:

– Elderberry powder – Can use dried elderberry syrup powder instead. Adjust to same 1/4 cup volume.

– Marshmallow root – Can omit entirely or replace with slippery elm bark powder.

– Gelatin – Replace with agar powder to make vegan marshmallows.

– Honey – Maple syrup, coconut sugar, or monk fruit work well.

– Vanilla – Substitute vanilla bean, almond extract, or any other flavor extract.

The recipe is quite adaptable to work with the ingredients you have on hand. Even just elderberries and gelatin alone will make basic immune gummies.

Storing Your Elderberry Marshmallows

To retain freshness and texture, proper storage of homemade marshmallows is important:

– Store marshmallows in a sealed container at room temperature up to 1 week. Glass jars or plastic containers both work.

– For longer shelf life, keep in the refrigerator up to 1 month. Allow to come to room temperature before eating for best texture.

– If marshmallows absorb moisture and become sticky, gently coat with additional cornstarch which will absorb the moisture.

– For maximum preservation of antioxidants and vitamins, store in the freezer up to 3 months. Thaw before consuming.

– Keeping marshmallows between layers of parchment paper prevents sticking if storing for more than a couple days.

Follow these tips to help your homemade elderberry marshmallows retain their freshness, antioxidant power, and melt-in-your-mouth texture for weeks to come.

Troubleshooting Homemade Marshmallows

Here are some common marshmallow mishaps and how to troubleshoot them:

Mixture won’t thicken – Ensure adequate blooming time for gelatin. Simmer longer to fully activate gelatin. Or try adding more gelatin.

Marshmallows too dense – Use just enough cornstarch to prevent sticking. Too much makes them heavy.

Marshmallows crumbling – Allow to fully chill and set up before cutting into squares. Cut when still slightly warm.

Not firming up – Let mixture chill undisturbed for several hours to properly set up.

Shrinking from pan – Grease the pan well before adding marshmallows so they release easily after setting up.

Discoloration – Elderberries will naturally tint the marshmallows purple. Avoid heat which fades the color.

These minor issues can be corrected by tweaking ingredients, timing or techniques. Part of the fun of DIY marshmallows is customizing them to your liking.

The Bottom Line

These homemade elderberry marshmallows provide an ingenious way to harness the antiviral and anti-inflammatory benefits of elderberry in a scrumptious, nostalgic form. The gelatin base offers its own health perks while making a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Rather than choking down syrups or pills, you can prevent and recover from cold/flu with marshmallows that provide therapeutic compounds. Kids will gobble them up with no complaints.

With just dried elderberries, gelatin, and your sweetener of choice, you can quickly create immunity-boosting marshmallows full of antioxidant power. They make a perfect natural remedy to keep your body’s defenses strong.

The next time cold season hits, skip the store-bought medicines and turn to this homemade marshmallow recipe instead. Your whole family will thank you for the tasty and healthful treat!

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