Mix ½ cup of the cold water and the gelatin in a bowl and stir gently. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the corn syrup, sugar, salt, and the remainder of the water. Stir until sugar has dissolved, then turn the heat up to medium high and bring the mixture to boil until it reaches 240°F or soft ball.
Add vanilla to the gelatin and then quickly add the syrup mixture and gelatin to a mixing bowl, whisk on high until the mixture forms soft peaks and looks like marshmallow cream.
Mix the powdered sugar and cornstarch.
In a square or rectangular dish coated with cooking spray, dust liberally with powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture.
Pour the marshmallow cream into the dish and spread it out along the entire dish.
Use the chopped cookies to fully coat the top of the marshmallow.
Allow the marshmallow to set overnight before you remove from the dish onto a surface dusted with powdered sugar and cornstarch.
Using a thin sharp knife, cut the marshmallow into smaller pieces and dust the sides with powdered sugar mixture. Enjoy!
Notes
Perfect Gelatin Bloom: Always use cold water to bloom the gelatin. This ensures the gelatin hydrates evenly and prevents clumping, resulting in a smooth marshmallow texture.Temperature Precision: Use a candy thermometer to hit exactly 240°F for the sugar syrup. If it's undercooked, the marshmallows might not set, and if overcooked, they could become too firm.Smooth Marshmallow Finish: Lightly coat a spatula with cooking spray to spread the marshmallow cream evenly in the dish without it sticking.Color Fun: Add a drop or two of food coloring (e.g., blue or pink) to the marshmallow mixture to make a vibrant version of the classic treat.