If you enjoy the sweet taste of marshmallows, learn how to make them at home with this Homemade Marshmallow recipe. It is a simple recipe that requires patience, leaving you with the perfect tasty treat.
Homemade Marshmallow
Would you like to know how to make marshmallows from scratch? If you buy all different kinds of marshmallows, including the mini ones, jumbo ones, and even the colorful ones, you’re in luck. Follow this tutorial on how to make them using a few ingredients and some special cooking equipment. It isn’t as challenging as it sounds, but you do need to be patient while you’re making them.
Why Make Homemade Marshmallows?
You can use marshmallows in many ways. Whether you’re adding them to different recipes, using them to make s’mores, or even putting them in a hot beverage, such as hot cocoa, you can put them to good use. Instead of buying them at the store, you’ll learn the steps to take to make them from scratch. You’ll save money in the long run, and you’ll have fresh, flavorful marshmallows available to eat all the time.
What You’ll Need to Prepare Marshmallows From Scratch
If you’re going to give this Homemade Marshmallow recipe a try, you’re going to need the following ingredients:
- Unflavored Gelatin. Grab three packets of unflavored gelatin to use in this recipe.
- Granulated Sugar. The sugar is what gives these marshmallows that perfectly sweet taste.
- Light Corn Syrup. You’ll combine your gelatin with sugar and light corn syrup to create the right consistency.
- Vanilla Extract. Enhance the flavor of your marshmallows using vanilla extract.
The other ingredients to have on hand include powdered sugar, salt, cornstarch, and non-stick spray. You can use any brand of non-stick spray that you already have at home. As you can see, you’ll only need a few simple, easy-to-find ingredients to make the Homemade Marshmallow.
What Equipment Will I Need?
Besides having specific ingredients to use to make the Homemade Marshmallow, you’ll also need the right equipment, including the following items:
- Stand Mixer. You’ll need a stand mixer to mix your gelatin with water and other ingredients.
- Heavy Bottom Pan. The heavy bottom pan is a must-have for heating your corn syrup, sugar, and water together to create the perfect consistency.
- Candy Thermometer. Use a candy thermometer to make sure your mixture reaches the right consistency.
- 8×8 Baking Dishes. You’ll add your mixture to the baking dishes when ready.
If you have the equipment, you can get started today. If you don’t have certain items, you can easily find them on Amazon at reasonable prices.
Is It Hard to Make Homemade Marshmallows?
It isn’t too hard to make the Homemade Marshmallow. However, you’ll need to keep a watchful eye on everything. If you walk away from the sugar mixture on the stove, it could easily burn, and then it won’t be any good to use. If you’ve got the extra time to spend in the kitchen, you won’t mind making this tasty treat.
What to Do With the Homemade Marshmallows
You can do so much with the Homemade Marshmallow. These are just a few good ideas to consider after you’ve prepared the marshmallow from scratch.
Add It to Fudge
Prepare your own chocolate, vanilla, or peanut butter fudge and add small pieces of marshmallows into the fudge for added texture and flavor.
Roast the Marshmallows
Sit by an open fire and roast the marshmallows in the backyard or on a campground. They’ll taste great and melt in your mouth.
Make S’Mores
Make a classic treat with your marshmallows. All you’ll need is the Homemade Marshmallow, some graham crackers, and chocolate to use.
Dip Them in Chocolate
Freeze your marshmallows and then dip them in melted milk chocolate before placing them back in the fridge. You’ll have a crunchy, chocolatey treat to eat. It’ll taste like a Charleston Chew!
Add Them to Hot Chocolate
If you want to enjoy a flavorful cup of hot chocolate, prepare it and place a few of the marshmallows into your cup. The marshmallows will melt perfectly into the chocolate beverage to make it taste better.
Use Them to Make Treat Bars
You can make cereal treats with your marshmallows. You’ll melt the marshmallows down with butter and then mix them with your favorite cereal, such as Fruity Pebbles, Rice Krispies, or even Captain Crunch. If you don’t want to mix them with cereal, you can always crush up your favorite cookies and mix the cookie crumbs with the marshmallow and butter mixture.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Make sure you’re adding your cooking spray to the baking dishes before pouring your marshmallow mixture into them. You don’t want the mixture to stick to the pan, creating a huge mess for you.
- Check the candy thermometer periodically to ensure that it reaches 240 degrees. You don’t want to remove the mixture from the heat too soon or too late.
- Be sure to sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar over your cut marshmallow pieces to keep them from sticking to everything. It’s an added step that will save you from dealing with a huge mess.
Can I Add Food Coloring to the Marshmallows?
You can always choose to add food coloring to your marshmallows to give them fun colors, such as pink, green, blue, and orange. You can add liquid food coloring into your marshmallow mixture. If you’d like to create pastel colors, use fewer drops. If you want bold, bright colors, add extra drops of the specific colors that you like most. When you add colors, you will make these marshmallows look even more delicious.
How Do I Store the Marshmallows?
Place your marshmallows in a food storage bag or container and seal it shut. You don’t have to refrigerate them. You can leave them in your pantry or a bread box and enjoy them for up to two weeks before they may begin to get a bit stale. You likely won’t have to worry about them going stale if you’re using them in various food and beverage recipes.
More Homemade Recipes
- Homemade Marshmallow Creme Recipe
- Vintage Chocolate Potato Cake Recipe
- Homemade Glazed Donut Recipe
- Cast Iron Skillet Bread Recipe
- Homemade Pop Tarts Recipe
- Pork Breakfast Sausage

Homemade Marshmallows
Ingredients
- 3 packages unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup cold water divided in2
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- pinch salt
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- Non-stick spray
Instructions
-
Gather your ingredients.
-
Add gelatin and ½ cup cold water to mixer bowl
-
In heavy-bottomed pan pour remaining water, corn syrup, and granulated sugar.
-
Cook at medium heat until temperature reaches 240 degrees.
This will take 7-8 minutes. Once temperature is reached, remove from heat.
-
Turn mixer with gelatin and water on low, and slowly pour in heated mixture to combine.
-
Once all of the heated mixture is added turn on high and beat for 12-15 minutes, until mixture forms thick peaks.
Add vanilla extract, mix well, turn off mixer.
-
While mixer is running, prepare the pans.
First, spray pans with non-stick spray then combine powdered sugar and cornstarch in bowl. Sprinkle pans with mixture, coating the bottom and sides.
Save the remaining mixture to use on marshmallows.
-
Pour marshmallow mixtures from mixer into your prepared pans.
Use a greased spatula to smooth it around the bottom and edges of pan.
Let cool at room temperature for 4-6 hours.
-
Once completely cooled and set, cut into 1-inch squares with powdered sugar covered paring knife (to prevent sticking).
-
Sprinkle cut marshmallows with remaining powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture to prevent sticking.
-
Enjoy!