Homemade Marshmallows Recipe (2024)

When I made my first batch of homemade marshmallows last winter, everyone went crazy for them. I have never been a big fan of marshmallows, but I am a huge fan of hot cocoa and topping it with homemade marshmallows is the best way to drink hot cocoa. In my opinion of course. 😬 If you are a marshmallow fan and haven’t had homemade marshmallows then you are missing out! They are so fluffy {insert Agnes voice from Despicable Me}. And my oldest son loves them and he is a tough critic. 😂

This recipe may sound intimidating, but homemade marshmallows are actually super simple to make. Messy, but simple.

Ingredients

1.5 cups of granulated sugar
3 (1 oz) packets of unflavored gelatin
1 cup of cold water (divided)
1/4 tsp salt
1.5 tsp of peppermint extract
1 cup of light corn syrup
Non-stick baking spray
Powdered sugar for dusting

I don’t ever measure the powdered sugar. I just use enough to dust the pan after applying the baking spray and then enough to dust the marshmallows to set and then again before cutting.

Baking tools

Electric mixer
Medium sized sauce pan
1 – 12×18 cookie sheet
Wooden spoon
Rubber spatula
Measuring cups
Knife
Ramekin
Cutting board
Cookie cutters (optional)
Food coloring pens (optional)
Royal Icing (optional)

Step 1: Pour the unflavored gelatin and 1/2 cup of the cold water into a small ramekin. You’ll use the other 1/2 cup of water for the sugar mix. Set aside and allow the unflavored gelatin to bloom while you heart the sugar mix.

Tip: Make sure the gelatin is mixed in with the water well. If not the gelatin will clump up and get rock hard.

Step 2: Spray the cookie sheet with the non-stick baking spray. Then dust the bottom and sides of the cookie sheet with powdered sugar.

Step 3: Add the other 1/2 cup of water, granulated sugar, salt, and light corn syrup to a medium-sized sauce pan, then turn the burner on medium heat. Stir the contents intermittently until the sugar mix is dissolved. Should take about 5-10 minutes.

Step 4: Using a rubber spatula, pour the gelatin mix into the electric mixer. Then slowly add the sugar mix with the mixer on medium speed. After the sugar mix has been added, add your choice of extract (I used peppermint) then turn the mixer on high and beat until stiff peaks form. This will take about 15 – 20 minutes.

Step 5: Pour the marshmallow mix onto the cookie sheet and spread evenly using the rubber spatula.

Step 6: Dust the top of the marshmallows with powdered sugar and let them set over night.

Step 7: Once the marshmallows are set, dust the top of the marshmallows and the top of your cutting board. At this point you can cut the marshmallows into squares or use cookie cutters.

For the cookie cutters, I used a mini gingerbread man, star, and a donut cutter (only using the center hole) for the snowman face. My donut cutter looks like the one in the photo below.

Step 8: Using a knife (for squares) or cookie cutters, cutout all the marshmallows directly from the cookie sheet ,then dust all the marshmallows (sides, tops, bottoms) with powdered sugar.

Tip: The powdered sugar will prevent the marshmallows from sticking to one another, which is why I dust them so much.

Step 9: If you chose to cut squares, you’re done! Enjoy with a nice cup of hot cocoa.

If you want to use cookie cutters along with decorating the marshmallows continue following the directions.

Step 10: Make a batch of royal Icing. CLICK HERE for my recipe. I did switch out the extract I used in my original royal icing recipe for peppermint extract to make the marshmallows extra peppermint-y. 🤗

Since I made gingerbread men and snowmen, I used orange and brown food coloring. I also used red & black Wilton food coloring pens. Honestly, I would have just used food coloring pens for everything, but I couldn’t find any orange or brown pens, so I went to plan B with the royal Icing. 😊

Step 11: Decorate the marshmallows then allow the icing and food coloring to dry completely (about 1 hour). Once the icing is dry to the touch, serve on top of hot cocoa and enjoy!I got the idea to make the snowman face from Williams-Sonoma. Aren’t they so cute? ⛄

Well friends, that’s it for this post. I hope you enjoyed it! I would love to know what you think! Leave a comment below or message me on Instagram. My handle is @acarriedaffairdesigns

Until next time. Xo

FAQs

What are the ingredients in marshmallows? ›

CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, DEXTROSE, MODIFIED CORNSTARCH, WATER, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, TETRASODIUM PYROPHOSPHATE (WHIPPING AID), NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, BLUE 1.

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How long do homemade marshmallows last? ›

Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioners' sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Keep Reading ›

Why are my homemade marshmallows not fluffy? ›

Even just a couple degrees too hot or too cool makes all the difference. If the sugar isn't cooked hot enough, they'll be mushy (and possibly contribute to the "soggy" factor mentioned above). If the syrup is cooked too hot, they'll set too firm and chewy and lack volume.

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What are traditional marshmallows made of? ›

A typical marshmallow contains sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin, plus some air. That's it. “A marshmallow is basically a foam that's stabilized by gelatin,” says Richard Hartel, a food engineer at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In marshmallows, the foam is made up of air suspended in the liquid sugar mixture.

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Can Muslims eat marshmallows? ›

Foods like jellybeans, marshmallows, and other gelatin-based foods also typically contain pork byproducts and are not considered Halal. Even products like vanilla extract and toothpaste can contain alcohol! Muslims will generally not eat meat that has also come in contact with pork.

Learn More Now ›

What makes marshmallows spongy? ›

When the jelly is beaten into the mixture, air bubbles form and the agar coagulates around those bubbles, stabilizing them so their walls donʼt collapse. These pockets of air make the marshmallows soft and spongy.

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How do you make marshmallows taste better? ›

Regardless, it's easy to infuse flavour into these healthy marshmallows. Here are a few options: Replace the vanilla extract with mint, orange or other extracts. Use rose water instead of vanilla extract.

What makes marshmallows chewy? ›

The fluffy and chewy texture of marshmallows is thanks to gelatin, the same ingredient that gives Jell-O its jiggle. Cornstarch and powdered sugar coat the outside to keep them from sticking to one another.

What does corn syrup do in marshmallows? ›

Corn syrup pulls double duty in a marshmallow. It doesn't crystallize like sugar does, plus it actually reduces the amount of dissolved sugar that crystallizes.

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Can dogs eat marshmallows? ›

Marshmallows, regardless of their sweetener content, are loaded with sugar, which should never be given to your pet. Even if your dog consumes marshmallows without artificial sweeteners, you should still be cautious as the high sugar levels can lead to an upset stomach, pancreatitis, and vomiting.

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What is marshmallows' real name? ›

Chris Comstock, better known by his stage name Marshmello, was born on May 19, 1992. He is an American electronic dance music producer and DJ.

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What's in marshmallows that is animals? ›

The gelatin used as a thickening agent in certain marshmallows, puddings and ice creams is made from animal products – the bones, skin and cartilage of pigs and cattle.

What ingredient in marshmallows is pork? ›

Although most gelatin is obtained from pigs bones, there is no meat present in sweet marshmallows. Most marshmallows contain gelatin which is a substance obtained from collagen found in the bones of various animals, including cattle, pigs and fish.

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Do marshmallows have animal products in them? ›

So, are marshmallows vegan? Unfortunately, they're not. “Marshmallows are not vegan because they contain gelatin, an animal protein derived from the ligaments, tendons, and skin of animals, such as cows and pigs,” explains registered dietician Grace Pascale.

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Why are marshmallows vegetarian? ›

Are Marshmallows Vegetarian? No, traditional marshmallows are not considered vegetarian because they contain gelatin, an ingredient made from animal parts. However, there are many vegan marshmallow brands, so seek one of those out, they will all be suitable for vegetarians.

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Homemade Marshmallows Recipe (2024)

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FAQs

What are the ingredients in marshmallows? ›

What is marshmallows' real name? ›