Marshmallow Fondant

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 2 mins
Total: 12 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Yield: 1 1/2 pounds

It's easy to make fondant from scratch. Not only is it fast and simple, but homemade marshmallow fondant actually tastes better than most store-bought brands. The secret ingredient is mini marshmallows―they give the homemade fondant a wonderfully sweet, light vanilla flavor.

You can use marshmallow fondant as you would regular fondant. It's perfect to cover cakes, form shapes, and make candy. Many people find it easier to work with because it stretches well, doesn't rip, and retains a smooth texture. Be warned that it tends to get sticky in moist environments or humid weather, so it doesn’t hold up as well as regular fondant when placed over frosted cakes. While the fondant itself can be stored for a couple of months, it's best to finish cakes with this fondant only a day or two in advance.

This recipe yields 1 1/2 pounds of fondant (equivalent to a 24-ounce package of ready-to-use rolled fondant) and can easily be halved or doubled.

Blue marshmallow fondant balls and rolled out pieces cut into fun designs

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

"Great, easy recipe. The taste of marshmallow fondant as compared to a more standard fondant is much nicer. I love this recipe." —Renae Wilson

Blue marshmallow fondant rolled out and cut into a circle
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 pound powdered sugar (about 4 cups), plus extra for dusting

  • 8 ounces miniature marshmallows (4 cups, not packed)

  • 2 tablespoons water

  • Food coloring, optional

  • Flavored extracts, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Dust your counter or a large cutting board with powdered sugar.

    Marshmallow fondant ingredients gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  2. Place the marshmallows and the water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, until the marshmallows are puffy and expanded.

    Miniature marshmallows in bowl slightly heated

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga 

  3. Stir the marshmallows with a rubber spatula until they are melted and smooth. If some unmelted marshmallow pieces remain, return to the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds, until the marshmallow mixture is entirely smooth and free of lumps.

    Melted marshmallows stirred with a rubber spatula in a white bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  4. If you want colored or flavored fondant, add several drops of food coloring or extracts at this point and stir until incorporated. When you want to create multiple colors or flavors from one batch of fondant, do not add the colors or flavors now. Instead, refer below for instructions.

  5. Add the powdered sugar and begin to stir with the spatula. Stir until the sugar begins to incorporate and it becomes impossible to stir anymore.

    Confectioners' sugar with melted marshmallows, stirred in with a rubber spatula

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  6. Scrape the marshmallow-sugar mixture out onto the prepared work surface. It will be sticky and lumpy, with lots of sugar that has not been incorporated yet―this is normal.

    Marshmallow fondant mix scraped out of the bowl onto a prepared work surface

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  7. Dust your hands with powdered sugar and begin to knead the fondant mixture like bread dough, working the sugar into the marshmallow with your hands. Continue to knead the fondant until it smooths out and loses its stickiness.

    Kneading marshmallow fondant by hand

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  8. Add more sugar if necessary but stop adding sugar once it is smooth―too much sugar will make it stiff and difficult to work with. Once the fondant is a smooth ball, it is ready to be used. You can now roll it out, shape it, or wrap it in cling wrap to use later.

    Marshmallow fondant in a ball on a marble slab

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  9. If you want to add coloring or flavoring to your fondant, flatten it into a round disc. You might want to wear gloves to avoid getting food coloring on your hands during this step. Add your desired amount of coloring or flavoring to the center of the disc.

    Blue food coloring added to a flattened ball of marshmallow fondant

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga 

  10. Fold the disc over on itself so that the color or flavor is enclosed in the center of the fondant ball.

    Hands in plastic gloves work the coloring into the fondant

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  11. Begin to knead the ball of fondant just like you did before. As you work it, you will begin to see streaks of color coming through from the center.

    A blue colored ball of marshmallow fondant

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  12. Continue to knead until the streaks are gone and the fondant is a uniform color. Your fondant is now ready to be used or stored.

    Four balls of fondant on a table in white, blue, pink, and yellow

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Tips

  • When substituting regular marshmallows for mini marshmallows, use weight (not volume) measurements.
  • To melt marshmallows on the stovetop, use a double boiler. Place the marshmallows and water in the top bowl over boiling water, stirring until almost melted. Remove from the heat and continue with the recipe.
  • As you work with the fondant, continue dusting your hands with powdered sugar if it becomes sticky.

What Size of Cake Will 1 1/2 Pounds of Fondant Cover?

This recipe makes enough fondant to cover one 8-inch round cake that's 4 inches high or one 10-inch round cake that's 3 inches high. For a 10 x 10-inch square cake or a 9 x 13-inch sheet cake, you will need to double the recipe.

What's the Best Way to Store Marshmallow Fondant?

Wrap the marshmallow fondant well in cling wrap for storage. In a sealed container, it can be stored in a cool room or the refrigerator for up to two months. Knead it until supple before use. Do not refrigerate a cake that's covered in fondant or fondant decorations because the condensation can ruin the smooth texture. Whether on a cake or not, fondant of any kind does not freeze well at all.

Article Sources
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  1. Wilton Brands LLC. Fondant Amounts to Cover Cakes. Wilton.com