Easter Dessert Recipes: Marshmallow Easter Critters

You will need the following ingredients:

• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
• 2 envelopes (1/4 ounce each) gelatin (1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons)
• 2/3 cup cold water, plus 1/2 cup room-temperature water
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Fine colored sanding sugar, for sprinkling and rolling

Coat a 9 1/2-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray, and dust with confectioners' sugar, tapping out excess. Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in the bowl of a mixer. Let stand for 5 minutes to soften.

Meanwhile, heat granulated sugar and room-temperature water in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Wash down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush. Cook until syrup reaches 238 degrees on a candy thermometer. Stir syrup into softened gelatin, and keep stirring for a few minutes to cool. Whisk on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, 8 to 10 minutes. Whisk in vanilla. Spread mixture into baking sheet using an offset spatula; sprinkle with sanding sugar. Let stand for 1 hour to set.

Cut out marshmallows using your favorite Easter cookie cutters (wipe cutters clean between each cut), and roll cut sides in sanding sugar to coat.