30 September 2026
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World Kitchen Journal
Sweet Substances - Pilar Hernández's Chilean Cuisine
The Kitchen
By Jean-Luc Moreau, the Technique desk · Chile · 2 min ·

Sweet Substances - Pilar Hernández's Chilean Cuisine

I'd been reading for a while that homemade treats, also called winter ice creams or marshmallows in Chile, were much tastier than the typical store-bought ones, so I first bought some fresh ones from a bakery I love, and they're truly something else. So I decided to make them and share them with you.

Ingredients · Servings 20
  • 1 1/4 cups of sugar
  • 1/3 cup of cold water
  • 2 tablespoons of corn syrup
  • 2 packets of 7 grams of powdered gelatin
  • 3 egg whites, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract if making vanilla (1/4 teaspoon if making chocolate)
  • 85 grams of semi-sweet chocolate for melting
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup of chuño or cornstarch
Method · PT-497396H59M19S
  1. Prepare a small pudding mold, 20 x 20 cm for example, cover it with parchment paper and sift cornstarch until the entire bottom is covered.
  2. To make the caramel, in a small saucepan mix the water, sugar and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then let it boil gently, without stirring, until it reaches a temperature of 265F or 130C, about 10 minutes after it comes to a boil.
  3. Meanwhile, place the gelatin in a small bowl and cover with cold water, let it moisten well for 5 minutes and then heat in the microwave for 30 seconds to liquefy it, you can also do it in a small pot over low heat, it is ready when all the gelatin dissolves.
  4. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites at high speed until stiff peaks form, but they are still glossy and soft. As soon as the caramel is ready, pour it in a thin stream into the egg whites and continue beating until all the caramel is incorporated. Add the dissolved gelatin and continue beating for another 3 minutes. Add the vanilla and beat.
  5. If you want to color them or make them chocolate, you must now melt the chocolate in 20-second pulses in the microwave, stirring in between for about 30 seconds. When it is melted, add the cocoa. You will get a paste that you must incorporate into the beaten egg whites with a spatula and folding movements so as not to deflate the egg whites.
  6. Transfer the batter to the prepared mold and spread it evenly. Rather than worrying about filling the mold completely, try not to make them too thin; they should ideally be thick, about 3 cm high. Sprinkle more cornstarch over the batter.
  7. Let rest for at least 3 to 12 hours. Cut with scissors, a cookie cutter, or a thin knife. Place cornstarch in a Ziploc-type plastic bag and add the fillings (you can add cocoa if you made them chocolate) and coat them completely. Remove any excess cornstarch and serve.
  8. They last 5 days.

They are easy to make but you need a candy thermometer and a hand mixer or even better, a stand mixer.

Description

Perfect for children's parties.

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder

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