When we moved into this house in March of last year, we discovered a blooming meyer lemon tree in the backyard. Without so much as a wave hello to the tree, it produced ripe fruit nearly 8 months of the year, starting as soon as we moved in. An impressive “welcome to the neighborhood” treat. This year, California produce seem to have gotten a bit confused. Maybe it was payback for my social neglect, but more likely the tree’s growth stunted from the lack of water this season.
Our pear tree should just now be getting ready to ripen in time for November, but after flowering this June, it dropped all of its fruit and now sits bare in the backyard. There might be a Little Red Hen analogy here. I should have shown my trees a bit more love.
The meyer lemon tree didn’t have the same sad fruitless fate. Instead it waited until Labor Day weekend to ripen – five months late. This little lemon bush has fortitude. It asks for so little attention in return for its fruit that I don’t even care that it took its sweet time this year. So here we are with an abundant meyer lemon harvest happening right now, which also means we’re up to our ears in lemon curd and homemade lemon meringue marshmallows. Feels like June to me and I’ll take it.
One more reason it’s not bad to be my neighbor: never-ending buckets of meyer lemons at your fingertips. Actually, you can come scoop up some lemons even if you don’t live next door – In fact, it’s encouraged. A girl can only drink so much lemonade. It’s totally normal that I just invited the entire internet to come pick fruit from my backyard, right?
Since camping weather is still in full-swing here in California, we’re going to keep the s’mores coming. I promise after we eat s’mores together, I’ll welcome pumpkin and apples into my kitchen with open arms.
These s’mores though. You need them in your life. I mean, after you lug home your meyer lemon haul, you’re going to need something to do with ALL THOSE LEMONS, right? That something is this: lemon meringue s’mores starring these homemade lemon meringue marshmallows. Stay tuned for the rest of the s’mores recipe later this week. Or just eat the entire batch of lemon meringue marshmallows while binge watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix.
Have you ever had homemade marshmallows? They’re a totally different experience from those crummy stale processed ones we all have sitting in the back of our cabinet from last summer (that maybe even come with few grains of sand or flecks of dirt in the bag – how does it get in there?!). Homemade marshmallows melt in your mouth – they’re like sweetened fluffy clouds. Light and airy puffs that are delicately moist on the inside. This lemon meringue version mixes tart lemon juice with vanilla bean to mimic the flavors of a lemon meringue pie.
- ¼ cup powdered sugar for dusting
- ¼ cup tapioca starch (or corn starch) for dusting
- 3 quarter-ounce packages unflavored powdered gelatin
- ¼ cup lemon juice from 2-3 large lemons (or meyer lemons)
- ¾ cup cold water, divided
- ¼ teaspoon fleur de sel
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1-1/2 cups sugar
- 1 whole vanilla bean seeds (or substitute by increasing the vanilla extract to 1 tablespoon)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon finely chopped lemon zest
- Combine the powdered sugar and tapioca starch in a small bowl.
- Line a lightly-oiled 9x12 glass baking dish with parchment or wax paper. Lightly oil the paper and gently dust it with a bit of the powdered sugar mixture. Set the powdered sugar mixture aside for later.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk together the powdered gelatin with lemon juice and ¼ cup water. Let sit while you prepare the rest.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, light corn syrup, fleur de sel, and remaining ½ cup of water and cook over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
- Insert a candy thermometer and increase the heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the syrup reaches 240°F.
- Turn the mixer to low and gently pour the syrup into the gelatin mixture. Increase the speed to high and whip for about 15 minutes, until the mixture nearly triples in size and becomes white and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla bean seeds, vanilla extract, and lemon zest and mix until completely combined.
- Pour the marshmallow cream into the prepare baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Leave the pan to dry out, uncovered, overnight.
- Dust the top of the marshmallows and a cutting board with the powdered sugar mixture.
- Use the parchment paper to help you turn the marshmallows out onto the dusted cutting board. Use a lightly oiled knife to cut the marshmallows into squares.
- Toss each marshmallow in the powdered sugar mixture until it's no longer sticky on any side.
Allison -
Okay, I’m officially jealous of your lemon tree! I go though lemons like nobody’s business, so I wouldn’t mind my own tree. Lemon desserts are some of my faves (I sometimes prefer them over chocolate!!!). I’ve never made homemade marshmallows because it seems very challenging. I need to remedy this! Gorgeous photos and wonderful, fresh, and inspiring recipe!
PS. I think I need to go hug my crabapple tree! Show it some love ;)
Sarah Menanix -
I’d choose lemon over chocolate any day (shh…don’t tell:). Thank you! These marshmallows are surprisingly easy – can’t wait to see what flavor you come up with!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter -
I use 3-4 lemons a day and have always wanted a lemon tree (not happening with our cold winters though) and love that you have a meyer lemon tree! These lemon marshmallows look incredible girl! I’ve never made homemade marshmallows but definitely need to add that to my list cuz these are just gorgeous!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you lady! I never realized how much having a lemon tree would come in handy. I regularly make my husband go out to pick me some lemons in the dark while I’m in the middle of cooking dinner – ha!
Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons -
I may have just squealed aloud. I’ve been wanting to make homemade marshmallows instead of buying the weird ones at the grocery store and YOU HAD ME AT LEMON! Done deal! Seriously, the second it gets cold here I’ll be making these!
Sarah Menanix -
Yesss! This makes me so happy. Can’t wait to hear how you like them! xo.
Tina @ Just Putzing Around the Kitchen -
So jealous of your lemon tree! Mine is still sad and small and hasn’t produced a lemon since we first got it 2 years ago. Send me lemons! Or maybe just some marshmallows. Whichever.
Sarah Menanix -
Haha – I think it’d cost me more to send you lemons than for you to get your butt down to the market to buy them. BUT, I might send you marshmallows next time I make them if you ask nicely;)
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West -
No, I’ve definitely never had homemade marshmallows. YES! My future is in the East Bay one day … but exactly where I don’t know. HELP! :)
Sarah Menanix -
Is it weird if I sent you a google map link to my neighborhood? Ha.
Karen @ The Food Charlatan -
There must be something magical going on in SF because the meyer lemon tree in our neighbor’s yard (that we steal from constantly) stopped producing months ago. Why have I never had a lemon inspired smore?? I need to see this follow up recipe!!
Sarah Menanix -
Maybe it stopped producing because you stole all the lemons from it, you big fat lemon thief! I’ll bring you some lemons when I see you in a couple weeks (if they’re still good).
Crystal | Apples & Sparkle -
Lemon flavored marshmallows sound so delicious! And your photos with the teacup are so elegant and pretty! : )
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much, Crystal! I just can’t get enough lemon these days!
Carla (@charliesue) -
ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME?
Both on this recipe AND on the abundance of your meyer lemons. NEVER have I EVER been so jealous.
Sarah Menanix -
Open invitation to come pluck some from my yard!
Annie | MontgomeryFest -
because if anyone is going to make homemade marshmallows, it’s going to be you. perfectly packaged to boot. I do plan on picking up some lemons. it’s just..you..re…sooo..farr. the rest of the internet might get there sooner than us.
Sarah Menanix -
Just come over already. I have Taylor Swift blasting from the speakers. Can you hear it from there?
Isadora @ She Likes Food -
A lemon tree sounds amazing! I live in AZ and it seems like everyone has some type of citrus tree in their yard. I’ve been wanting to get a lemon tree for so long, but my husband thinks that we will have to water it a lot. I eat so many lemons that I think it would be worth it though! These marshmallows look amazing and the flavor sounds so good :)
Sarah Menanix -
I was about to say “I’ve never watered my lemon tree,” but then I realized that makes me sound neglectful. And it’s probably the reason my tree was late this yet (oops!). I do think all that watering would be worth it though! Thanks so much, Isadora!
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! -
The first thing I thought when I saw these was I want to eat them all ;). They look so perfect, Sarah. Do I even need to mention that you had me at meyer lemon meringue? I seriously can’t pin these fast enough!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you, Kathi! Fortunately homemade marshmallows are really rich and sweet, so I didn’t eat them all in one sitting (as tempting as it was…) – ha.
ellie | fit for the soul -
No wayyyy I’d give anything to have a meyer lemon tree near me! Well, most things. And I’m not really crazy for marshmallows to be honest…but these look sooo fluffy and enticing, I wouldn’t mind taking at least one bite. <333
Sarah Menanix -
I’m not too far from you – just up the coast a day trip away:) Come steal my lemons any time! These homemade marshmallows barely resemble those marshmallows you get in the store – they’re 100x better.
Lisa / Good on Paper -
Sarah, those look crazy good! Could go for some right now. I’m not usually a fan of marshmallows but I do love homemade ones. I’ve never tried to make them but you’ve inspired me. Oh man, I’m making this salmon dish this week and it requires one meyer lemon. Wish I had a tree next door! ;)
Sarah Menanix -
I don’t live so far – Come by and take some lemons! A whole basketful. Lucas literally just said,”call all your friends and make them come get lemons.” Open invitation. Text me if you’re interested:)
Melissa Belanger -
Sarah. These are amazing!! I think eating a whole batch of them while marathoning Gilmore Girls sounds like the perfect thing to do. Also, these would make the most amazing s’mores! I would keep summer around for a little while just for that. Enjoy the warm weather while it lasts!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you, Melissa! Just you wait – the lemon meringue s’more I’ve got coming up with these marshmallows is the most decadent s’more I’ve ever eaten.
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert.com -
These sound incredible! I love meyer lemons and would have never thought to put them in a marshmallow. Pinned!
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks for sharing, Jen! Meyer lemons just add the perfect hint of sweetness to these marshmallows.
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen -
I would love to have a lemon tree in my back yard! I have an apple tree – but I think I’d use lemons more, because I’m always at the store buying them!
Sarah Menanix -
Oh, but you do so many delicious apple recipes! I vote for one of each!
Amy | Club Narwhal -
Oh, goodness, up to your ears in lemon curd! What a beautiful problem to have! these marshmallows are absolutely gorgeous. I bet the flavor was so bright and wonderful :)
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much, Amy! I could eat meyer lemon curd for dessert every night. And for breakfast on pancakes and WAFFLES (now if only I had a waffle maker…)
Katie @ Sweet Society -
Can I please be your neighbor!!! Lemons are a favorite of mine and I always have some in the fridge. Homemade marshmallows are something else and these look perfect.
Sarah Menanix -
Absolutely – I’d love it! Thank you so much, Katie.
Shikha @ Shikha la mode -
I’m dying – these look so incredibly beautiful! How long did this entire process take you? let’s do something with all your pears soon?
Sarah Menanix -
It’s so low maintenance! I mean, if we add figuring out how to roast marshmallows inside without burning down the house…then much longer than I’d like to admit. Sadly, there are no more pears! They just dropped from the tree a month ago and the tree is empty now:( Womp womp.
Min -
You are def killing me here, my friend. I want to be your neighbor so bad..I shall bring my dancing shoes and my appetite. always. I’ve actually never had homemade marshmallows and quite frankly I’d never eat them unless s’mores are involved..perhaps these will change my mind and I will eat them like I eat popcorn haha. Such lovely photos and totally loving your cup + saucer! p.s Gilmore Girls is hands down my FAV tv show of all time! I fell in love with Lauren Graham because of the show..now I’m obsessed with her in Parenthood
Sarah Menanix -
I would just love that so much! I mean, is there any other way to eat marshmallows without s’mores? (Well…I take that back, hot coca is also a great vehicle for marshmallows). I’m obsesssssed with Parenthood too. We would binge-watch tv so bad if we were neighbors – We’d get nothing done!
Pang @circahappy -
I totally agree with you homemade marshmallows is so much better, and what even better is your homemade lemon meringue marshmallows. I am drooling just looking at your post.
So sweet of you to invite us all to pick your fruit. I promise I won’t be there empty-handed. :)
Sarah Menanix -
Please do! (You’re in the Bay Area like me – you’re seriously welcome to come over and pick lemons:)
Mira -
I can only imagine how nice it is to have a lemon tree in your back yard! I really want to have one, but will have to be a small one, to grow it indoors, since winters in Chicago are terrible! Never realized how easy it was to make homemade marshmallows and these look perfect! S’mores with these will be amazing!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you, Mira! I can’t wait to share my s’mores recipe with you all! Soon, I promise. :)
kelly - a side of sweet -
That tree! I’m glad it’s finally doing its job this year! Can I volunteer you for a lemon-based mocktail for brunch? :)
Sarah Menanix -
Yes! I’ll get working on it…
Christine -
I wish I were your neighbour! A meyer lemon tree just sounds magical to me … I have trouble keeping my herbs alive (which is slightly embarrassing). I’ve never attempted homemade marshmallows but your recipe and pictures are gorgous!
Sarah Menanix -
I can’t keep herbs alive either! I killed a ROSEMARY bush (now that’s embarrassing:). Thanks, Christine!
Alex @ DelishKnowledge -
ALL I want is a lemon tree! Gah! These look gorgeous! I want a yard so badly so I can grow my own plants but until then… Ill just come by and take all of yours! :)
Sarah Menanix -
Yes! Please come visit and steal lemons!
Katie | lovely letters -
“Or just eat the entire batch of lemon meringue marshmallows while binge watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix…” are you spying on me??
I don’t know if I wear out the meaning if I say this too often, but YOUR PHOTOS ARE SO BEAUTIFUL! SO looking forward to the next s’more installment!
xx Katie
lovely letters
Sarah Menanix -
You are too sweet, Katie! I can’t wait to see you again – I promise I’m not avoiding you! (In reality, I can’t ever come because I’m too busy keeping myself scarce while spying on you….bumbumbum).
Nancy -
I wish you didn’t eat them all :( Will I see you on Thursday in Mountain View?
Sarah Menanix -
Next time I’ll bring some homemade marshmallows for you! Alas, I don’t think I’ll make it down there – but have fun! xo
Oana -
I love homemade marshmallows more than store-bought ones! And I like the idea of flavoring the marshmallows any way you like. I’ve seen some wild combinations out there, although nothing beats the basics – vanilla, lemon, orange or peppermint.
Great pictures, pinned!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much Oana! Mmm – I can’t wait to make homemade peppermint marshmallows for my winter hot cocoa.
Chris @ Shared Appetite -
I hate you. Not really, but kind of. Like, really?! You have a meyer lemon tree in your backyard?! What kind of dream world are you living in over there on the west coast?! Grrr, the only tree I must have in my backyard is a bird tree… ‘cuz there’s bird crap on my patio all the time. And it bears its fruit 8 months out of the year too.
But seriously Sarah.. these are crazy inventive and creative. I’m pinning the heck out of these, b/c they are awesome!
Sarah Menanix -
Hahaha – when I first started reading this comment, my heart started pounding and I immediately looked to see if it was a spammer. “WHO HATES ME?!” Phew, just Chris – and he only kind of hates me ;) Life in California is pretty grand – come visit! The birds over here never crap. It was also 90 degrees in my kitchen on Saturday…in OCTOBER.
Thanks so much Chris! Next time I make marshmallows, I pinky promise to mail some to you.
Trang -
Beautiful! They look like clouds, I want to take a nap on them and then take a bite…
Sarah Menanix -
Hehe – I love this description! I would DEFINITELY take a nap on a whole pile of these if I had a pile big enough. They’re soft, pillowy, and smooth. And they smell so lemon-y fresh.
vegetable amazon candle wax -
To get her raw recipes you need to look in the salads section, which is where I found this awesome and beautiful-looking recipe for kohlrabi, radish,
and shaved asparagus salad with lemon-chive dressing.
Some of the more well-known raw restaurants include
Juliano’s Raw in Santa Monica, California. Fun little fruit cups that
kids and adults will love.
Darya -
Could you, please, tell me about gelatin in gram? Should I use 0,75 ounce of it? or 3 4 ounce packages of it? Thanks a lot for the answer!
Sarah @ Snixy Kitchen -
You’ll need .75 ounces of gelatin or just over 21 grams! When I’m at my computer later today I’ll specify that more clearly – thanks for your question!