Simple Homemade Marshmallow Recipe (2024)

Dec 1, 2013 | Desserts | 16 comments

Everyone needs to try their hand at Homemade Marshmallows at least once because the end result is just SO MUCH FUN! The amazing thing with this recipe is that once you make them, you will not want to go back to store bought.

I’m not even a marshmallow lover, but I will eat these and once you’ve tried this recipe a few times, and worked out any kinks, you can start experimenting with the flavors. There are so many fun, creative things you can do with the recipe like substituting peppermint for the vanilla or other varying flavors.

I do think homemade chocolate marshmallows would be quite a winner as well. (For that, just use hot cocoa powder mixed with the powdered sugar mixture.)

Also, once they are done, think of the optional toppings and garnishes – hot fudge, caramel ice cream topping, crushed cookies or candies rolled on the chocolate (or how about both?), sugar sprinkles or my friend loves crushed coconut. I know you can think of a host of other varieties, but this should get your creative juices flowing.

They are just so fun and make the perfect party favor.

The first time you try them, don’t be intimidated by all the steps. I know I called this recipe “Simple Homemade Marshmallows,” and the ingredient are that simple, and if you follow these direction, the marshmallows will turn out. They are sticky to make, and sometimes when you add the vanilla, the mixer goes a bit crazy, so be warned, but it’s so worth it.

One of the biggest tips is make sure that your spatula is greased VERY well, along with your pan coated with the powdered sugar mixture. Using an oiled and powdered pizza cutter to cut them works so much better than a knife.

Are you ready? I know you’ll do great!!

Let me know how your amazed friends react. I can’t wait to hear. 🙂

Recipe: Simple Homemade Marshmallows

Summary: Everyone needs to experience making homemade marshmallows at least once. They are that fun to make.

Ingredients

3 packets of unflavored gelatin
1 cup cold water
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp. salt
The seeds of one vanilla beans, 1 tbsp. vanilla extract, OR 1 tbsp. vanilla paste
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
nonstick spray

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, stir together 1/2 cup cold water, sugar, corn syrup, and salt.
Put the lid on, turn the heat to medium-high, and allow it to bubble for four minutes.
Take off the lid, place a candy thermometer on the side of the pan, and cook another 7-8 minutes until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F.
Using a whisk attachment, whisk the sugar mixture into the gelatin mixture on low speed.
Add the sugar mixture slowly.
Once it’s combined, add the vanilla. Turn the mixer to high, and beat 15 minutes or until the mixture is white, shiny, and gooey (it may be less depending on mixer).
Combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl.
Line a 13×9 pan with foil or parchment paper, and lightly spray it with cooking spray.
Sprinkle a bit of the cornstarch mixture into the bottom of the pan and along the sides.
Pour the whisked mixture into the pan. Top with more of the cornstarch mixture. Allow it to sit uncovered for several hours or overnight.
Turn the marshmallow square on to a board sprinkled with the cornstarch mixture. Cut the marshmallows into the desired size, coating all sides with the cornstarch mixture.
Store in an airtight container.

Number of servings (yield): 12

Do you need some more simple holiday recipe ideas? Click on over and check them out or feel free to submit your own.

Don’t forget to dunk these delicious treats into my Homemade Hot Chocolate. So easy and fun!!

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Simple Homemade Marshmallow Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the three main ingredients in marshmallows? ›

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 a liquid sugar mixture.

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What is a substitute for marshmallows? ›

Whipped Cream: In some recipes or applications, whipped cream can be a suitable substitute for marshmallows. It adds a light and fluffy texture. Meringue: Whipped egg whites with sugar can provide a similar texture to marshmallows. They can be baked or torched for a crispy exterior.

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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.

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What are the main ingredients in marshmallows? ›

Marshmallows are made of sugar, corn syrup (sugar), water and gelatin. They can have other things added for flavor and color, but that's it. The magic is how the ingredients are combined. Marshmallows are a scaffolding of sugar and gelatin that stays rigid enough to become a network of stable air bubbles.

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What were old marshmallows made of? ›

In the 19th century, marshmallows were made by mixing mallow root sap, egg whites and sugar into a fluffy mold. The French added cornstarch to help speed up the production and give the candy its unforgettable form. Today the manufacturing of marshmallows is quite different. Mallow root sap has been replaced by gelatin.

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How did the Egyptians make marshmallows? ›

Ancient Egyptians were said to be the first to make and use the root of the plant to soothe coughs and sore throats and to heal wounds. The first marshmallows were prepared by boiling pieces of root pulp with honey until thick. Once thickened, the mixture was strained, cooled, then used as intended.

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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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What do the English call marshmallows? ›

Originally Answered: What do they call marshmallows in England? Most people call them - correctly - marshmallows. But there are a lot of people who say 'marshmellows'.

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What makes marshmallows taste like marshmallows? ›

Arguably, the main thing you taste in marshmallows is just sugar, and it's the texture that makes you interpret it differently.

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What are dried marshmallows called? ›

Dehydrated marshmallows are dried marshmallows like mallow bits or the marshmallows in Lucky Charms.

Do homemade marshmallows go bad? ›

Keep them in an airtight container with a little extra confectioners' sugar. They should last for up to 3 weeks at room temperature. Like many candies, the enemy of marshmallows is moisture, including humidity. Prolonged exposure to heat can also make them melt or otherwise deteriorate.

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How do they make marshmallow? ›

Originally made by whipping the sap of the plant and sweetening it, modern marshmallows are made from sweetened egg whites or melted gelatin whipped to an almost stiff peak.

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Are marshmallows good or bad for you? ›

Marshmallows are a processed food that provides little to no health benefits. However, there are ways to include marshmallows in a balanced healthy diet. For example, marshmallows are a low-calorie, nearly fat-free food.

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Do marshmallows have beef or pork gelatin? ›

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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What are the ingredients in store bought 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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What was the main ingredient in marshmallows before animal gelatin was used? ›

Long ago people made marshmallows with ingredients from the marshmallow herb, but today we usually make them with other ingredients, namely gelatin, corn syrup and sugar. In this appetizing activity you'll get to explore what ratio of sugar to corn syrup produces the best-tasting and best-textured marshmallows!