Basic Marshmallows

Marshmallow Recipe

 Kristina Vanni

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Setting Time: 8 hrs
Total: 8 hrs 35 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Yield: 4 dozen

These light, fluffy marshmallows are perfect for eating plain or using in any recipe that calls for marshmallows. The process is easy, but you will need the assistance of a candy thermometer, a stand mixer, and a bit of patience as the marshmallows have to set overnight before cutting and enjoying. Homemade marshmallows can be decorated with colorful sprinkles or dipped in chocolate for festive gift giving.

Once you have a homemade marshmallow in a warm mug of hot cocoa, you'll never want to go back to the store-bought version again!

Ingredients

  • 3 packets unflavored gelatin
  • 1 cup cool water (divided)
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar (for dusting)
  • Optional garnishes: melted chocolate or sprinkles

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Marshmallow Recipe ingredients
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni
  2. Combine the gelatin packets and 1/2 cup cool water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Mix briefly to combine. Allow to sit while you make the sugar syrup.

    Gelatin and water in a mixing bowl
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni
  3. Meanwhile, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup cool water in a small saucepan. Stir and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to high and cook, without stirring, until the syrup reaches 240°F on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat.

    Sugar syrup ingredients in a bowl
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni
  4. With the mixer set on low speed, slowly pour the sugar syrup into the dissolved gelatin. Gradually increase the speed to high, and whip until the mixture is very thick and fluffy, about 10 to 15 minutes.

    Marshmallow mixture in a mixer bowl
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni
  5. Toward the end of the mix time, add the vanilla extract.

    Marshmallow whipping in a mixer with vanilla in a bowl on the side
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni
  6. With a fine-mesh strainer or sieve, generously dust a 9x13 inch glass or ceramic baking dish with powdered sugar. Do not use a metal baking pan.

    Ceramic baking dish dusted with powdered sugar
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni
  7. Pour the marshmallow mixture into the pan and smooth the top. By this time, the marshmallow mixture will be cool enough to touch without burning. If necessary, you can wet your hands and use them to smooth and flatten the marshmallows.

    Marshmallow mixture added to the prepared pan
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni
  8. Dust with additional powdered sugar over the top. Allow to stand uncovered overnight until it dries out.

    Powdered sugar dusted onto the top of the pan of marshmallows
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni
  9. Turn the marshmallows onto a board and cut them in squares.

    Pan of marshmallow turned out onto a surface
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni
  10. To reduce any stickiness, dip the knife in cold water and then lightly spray with cooking spray before each slice.

    Cut marshmallows and a knife on a cutting board
    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni
  11. Enjoy the marshmallows plain on their own or used in a recipe. The cut sides of the marshmallows remain sticky and can be dipped in sprinkles for decoration. These homemade marshmallows are also delicious when dipped in chocolate.

    Marshmallow Recipe
     The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Tips

  • For gift-giving, wrap marshmallows individually in twists of waxed paper and store at cool room temperature.
  • For storage, place in a closed container, the layers separated by waxed paper or parchment paper.
  • Homemade marshmallows will soften faster when roasted on marshmallow sticks over an open flame.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
18 Calories
0g Fat
4g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories 18
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 4g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Protein 0g
Calcium 1mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)