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    Home » Recipes » Marshmallows

    Marshmallow Frosting

    December 27, 2024 by Amee Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Marshmallow Frosting adds a touch of whimsy and nostalgia to every bite! Use it to fill a classic chocolate cake, add it to s’mores-inspired treats, or eat it with a spoon!

    A small white bowl filled with Marshmallow Frosting with small marshmallows and a piping bag in the background.

    This post may contain affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I’ll never link to anything I don’t use and love! Click here for full disclosure and privacy policy.

    This Marshmallow Frosting is homemade vanilla bean marshmallow that transforms any dessert into a show-stopper! Light, fluffy, and irresistibly sweet, it's an excellent choice for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more!

    If you enjoy this recipe, check out the posts for my Caramel Apple Marshmallows, S'mores Cream Puffs, and Sweet Potato Cookies!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Variations
    • Uses for Marshmallow Frosting
    • Storage
    • Other Recipes You May Like
    • Marshmallow Frosting
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    With some fridge and pantry staples, you'll be whipping up this frosting in no time! Measurements for each of the ingredients are included in the recipe card, below.

    Top view of Marshmallow Frosting ingredients on a white background.
    • Granulated Sugar - For sweetness, texture, and flavor.
    • Agave Syrup - For a smooth and creamy texture to the marshmallow. If you prefer, you can substitute with light corn syrup.
    • Egg Whites - Makes the marshmallow light and fluffy. Be careful that your bowl is completely clean and you don't include even a drop of egg yolk, or the whites won't whip up!
    • Cream of Tartar - Helps to stabilize the bubbles in the whipped egg whites.
    • Salt - To balance the sweetness of the marshmallow.
    • Vanilla Bean Paste - For flavor.

    Hint: If you're looking for recipes to use up your leftover egg yolks, check out my post with 10+ Recipes Using Egg Yolks for instructions on storing leftover yolks and recipes to use them up!

     

    Instructions

    Here's what you need to do to make this frosting, step by step! More detailed instructions are included in the recipe card, below.

    Steps to making Marshmallow Frosting.

    Here is a general overview of the steps to make this recipe. For full instructions, see the recipe card, below.

    1. Combine sugar, agave syrup, egg whites, cream of tartar, and pinch in a heatproof bowl. Warm the mixture over a pan of simmering water until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture reaches 160° F.
    2. Pour the mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer and beat with the whisk attachment until white and glossy. Add vanilla bean paste and mix to combine.
    Top view of a piping bag full of Marshmallow Frosting and frosting piped on a sheet of parchment paper.

    Equipment

    Here are a few things I used when making this frosting:

    • Candy Thermometer - A candy thermometer is the best tool to ensure the egg white mixture reaches a safe temperature.
    • Pastry Bag - For piping the marshmallow frosting, if desired.
    • 1M Piping Tip - This is the size piping tip I used in the above photo if you'd like your piping to look like mine. No shame if you don't pipe the frosting and just dollop with a spoon with abandon!
    • Kitchen Torch - This frosting will toast beautifully with a torch, if desired.

    Variations

    Here are a few ideas to change this recipe up a little:

    • Add Some Spice - This frosting is fantastic as-is, but consider adding cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and/or ginger if it suits your use!
    • Use Flavored Sugar - Instead of regular granulated sugar, use flavored sugar to add a little oomph of flavor! Vanilla Sugar, Ginger Sugar, Strawberry Sugar, and Blueberry Sugar are all great options!
    Sweet Potato Cookies on a baking sheet with marshmallows and cinnamon sticks alongside.

    Uses for Marshmallow Frosting

    The uses for this frosting are limited only by your imagination! Here are a few that I've thought of:

    • Use it to top my Sweet Potato Cookies.
    • Sandwich Fresh Ginger Cookies, Dirty Chai Cookies, or Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies with sweet, fluffy marshmallow!
    • Use Marshmallow Frosting Instead of (or in addition to??) the ganache on my Chocolate Ganache Cake.
    • Fill my Black Velvet Cupcakes with marshmallow goodness!

    Storage

    Marshmallow frosting is best when used immediately, as it starts to set up fairly quickly. If you're not using it immediately, cover and store at room temperature. If the marshmallow has set, you can re-whip the frosting to use.

    Other Recipes You May Like

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • Sweet Potato Cookie topped with marshmallow frosting on a scalloped white plate.
      Sweet Potato Cookies
    • S'mores Cream Puff on a small white stand with chocolate and marshmallows in the foreground.
      S'mores Cream Puffs
    • Chocolate Marshmallows in a white mug of hot chocolate on a white saucer with a silver spoon in the foreground.
      Chocolate Marshmallows
    • An apple marshmallow being dipped into a white bowl of salted caramel, with caramel dripping from the marshmallow.
      Caramel Apple Marshmallows
    Top view of a piping bag full of Marshmallow Frosting and frosting piped on a sheet of parchment paper.

    Marshmallow Frosting

    Amee
    This Marshmallow Frosting is homemade vanilla bean marshmallow that transforms any dessert into a show-stopper! Light, fluffy, and irresistibly sweet, this frosting is an excellent choice for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Frosting, Marshmallows
    Servings 8 cups
    Calories 140 kcal

    Equipment

    • Candy Thermometer
    • 1M Piping Tip
    • Pastry Bag
    • Kitchen Torch
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you bake!

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 4 egg whites (see note)
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • ⅔ cup agave syrup (see note)
    • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
    • pinch salt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (see note)

    Instructions
     

    • In a large heatproof bowl, combine first five marshmallow ingredients (egg whites, sugar, agave syrup, cream of tartar, and salt) and whisk to combine. Be careful that your bowl is completely clean and you don't include even a drop of egg yolk, or the whites won't whip up!
    • Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, taking care that the water doesn't touch the bowl. Whisking constantly until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture to is warmed to 160° F on a candy thermometer (see note), about 5-10 minutes.
    • Carefully transfer the mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer and whip on high speed using the whisk attachment until it reaches medium-stiff peaks. The mixture will be smooth and glossy. Add vanilla bean paste (see note) and beat to incorporate.
    • Marshmallow frosting is best when used immediately, as it starts to set up fairly quickly. If you're not using it immediately, cover and store at room temperature. If the marshmallow has set, you can re-whip the frosting to use.
      Frosting will toast beautifully with a kitchen torch, if desired.
      Enjoy!

    Notes

    Note on leftover egg yolks: If you're looking for recipes to use up your leftover egg yolks, check out my post with 10+ Recipes Using Egg Yolks for instructions on storing leftover yolks and recipes to use them up!
    Note on vanilla bean paste: I love the flavor of vanilla bean paste, and the beautiful flecks of vanilla bean it leaves in both the marshmallow! If you don't have vanilla bean paste or prefer not to use it, you can use an equal measure of vanilla extract.
    Note on candy thermometer: A candy thermometer is the best tool to ensure the egg white mixture gets to the appropriate temperature.
    Note on piping marshmallow: These cookies are completely delicious with the marshmallow dolloped on top with a spoon, there's no need to pipe the marshmallow on top. If you do want your cookies to look like mine, I used a pastry bag fitted with a 1M piping tip.

    Nutrition Estimate

    Serving: 1 cupCalories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 2gFat: 0.2gSodium: 26mgPotassium: 56mgFiber: 0.04gSugar: 32gVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.05mg

    Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate.

    Tried this recipe?I'd love to hear all about it! Leave a review below, then snap a pic and tag me on Instagram!
    Text "Click to shop my Amazon storefront" with images of baking tools and ingredients.

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      Homemade Peeps

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