Make your own Marshmallow Fluff at home with a few simple ingredients. Perfect as a filling but works great as a simple frosting too!
I made marshmallow fluff for a recent baking project. I could have easily bought this from the store, but I wanted to try and make my own to see how it would turn out.
I’m actually glad I did as the store-bought marshmallow fluff can actually be very runny and not easy to work with.
How to Make Marshmallow Fluff
If you’ve made an Italian meringue/buttercream before, the process is very similar.
You’re basically pouring boiling sugar into whipped egg whites, a process that I am slowly getting more and more comfortable with. Molten hot sugar is intimidating! Be extra careful with it when you’re making this recipe.
Aside from molten sugar, the process was simple and the marshmallow fluff turned out PERFECT! The most difficult part was not devouring the whole thing straight out of the mixer bowl with a spoon.
If you’re not into boiling sugar (I don’t blame you) you can make this recipe for 7 minute frosting instead. It’s very similar except that it uses a Swiss meringue technique instead of an Italian meringue-like we have here. It’s slightly less stable/thick, but should work just fine.
I’ve used this Marshmallow fluff recipe a few times now and I love it. I often make more than I need and freeze any excess to be used at a later time (usually in Rice Krispie treats).
Tips for making this homemade Marshmallow Fluff :
- For an easier but slightly less stable version you can make 7 minute frosting instead.
- Make sure all of your equipment is grease-free. If there is even a speck of grease (or egg yolk) the meringue will not whip up. I wipe everything down with lemon juice before adding the egg whites.
- You will need a thermometer to make this. My favorite is from Thermapen.
- Use caution when making the sugar as it will be very hot!! You’ll want to pour it very carefully, and slowly into your partly whipped egg whites. The sweet spot for this is getting the stream right between the whisk and the sides of the bowl, so the syrup doesn’t get splashed around by the whisk.
- The spread can be rewhipped by hand if it becomes flat or you can put it back on the mixer to re-whip.
- If you have excess fluff left over, you can freeze it in an airtight container to use at a later date. I recommend using it in Rice Krispie treats!
- I do not recommend using store-bought marshmallow fluff in place of homemade if the recipe calls for it. The store-bought stuff can be very runny and will totally ruin your dessert!
Where to use Marshmallow Fluff:
- S’mores Cake
- S’mores Cookie Cups
- Fluffernutter Cookie Cups
- Hot Chocolate Cake
- Sweet Potato Cake
- Peanut Butter S’mores Cookies
Homemade Marshmallow Fluff
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup water
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup corn syrup or honey
- 3 large egg whites room temperature
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place water, sugar, and corn syrup in a medium saucepan. Stir to combine.
- Insert a candy thermometer into the pot and heat over medium-high. Do not stir from this point on as crystals will form.
- Wipe down your mixer bowl, whisk, etc with lemon juice or vinegar to ensure they are completely grease free.*
- Place egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- When the sugar syrup reaches about 225°F, start whipping the egg whites to soft peaks. Approx 3-4mins.
- When the whites are ready, the sugar syrup should be at 240°F. Remove from the heat, turn mixer to medium and very slowly and carefully pour the sugar syrup into the whites in a thin, steady stream.**
- Once all of the syrup is in, set mixer to medium/high and continue whipping. The whites will deflate at first, but they will thicken and fluff up.
- Continue to whip for 7-8 minutes, or until the mixture is thick and fluffy.
- Add in vanilla and whip until the fluff has cooled completely.
- Use right away as a frosting or filling or transfer into an airtight container and store for up to 2 weeks at room temperature.***
Notes
** The sweet spot for this is getting the stream right between the whisk and the sides of the bowl, so the syrup doesn’t get splashed by the whisk.
*** The spread may need to be re-whipped to fluff it up again.
Originally published on Jan 20, 2015
Emily says
Would this be stiff enough to put inside chocolates? (like a larger candy mold?)
Olivia says
Hi Emily! It would make for a softer filling but it would hold up I think. I would use tempered chocolate so that it is firm.
Heiko says
I want to make this with honey instead of corn syrup. I’ve made it before with corn syrup, but we eat a little bit healthier these days and I’m trying to not use corn syrup. Do you know if the honey version will also toast with the torch? I need the torched effect for the result I’m looking for.
Olivia says
Hi Heiko! I have not made it with honey myself but I suspect it should work fine. The honey may tint the fluff slightly.
Heiko says
Thank you for the reply
Nysheika says
Hi Olivia! Thanks so much for this recipe. I can’t wait to try it! Do you happen to know if it pipes and holds shape well? I’d like to top cupcakes using a 1M tip if it’s possible. 🙂
Olivia says
Hi Nysheika! It pipes and holds its shape ok, but not as well as buttercream. I used it and a 1M tip here so you can get an idea: https://livforcake.com/sweet-potato-cake/
Nysheika says
That’s gorgeous and I’m sold! Thanks again!
Michelle says
This sounds wonderful! Can the marshmallow fluff be lightly (pastel) colored? I know meringue buttercreams are tricky to dye sometimes (though this one isn’t a buttercream of course). Would you have a recommendation of when to add food coloring? I’m wanting to use chocolate cake with marshmallow fluff filling for my sister-in-law’s baby gender reveal cake!
Olivia says
Hi Michelle! Yes, you can color it for sure. I would use gel or powder colors, not liquid food coloring. Add the coloring at the end.
Aimee says
Hi! I cant wait to make this fluff!! Is this recipe considered shelf stable?
Olivia says
Hi Aimee! It will be fine at room temp for a couple days but otherwise I would refrigerate.
Lisa Boyd says
What is the difference between this recipe and a regular marshmallow recipe? I noticed the temperature is the same. I want to use the fluff for cookie toppings but I didn’t want it to set up like a marshmallow. Thanks!
Olivia says
Hi Lisa! This works so well for cookies. The fluff stays soft but may for a bit of a dry crust if it sits out for a while. The texture inside will be soft and gooey though.
Nicole says
Hi! Can I use this to frost the outside of a cake? If yes, do you think I could get it smooth? I want to add a chocolate ganache drip on top of the frosting. I’m making a s’mores cake. Thank you!
Olivia says
Hi Nicole! I used it to frost my S’mores cake here: https://livforcake.com/smores-cake/ It will be difficult to get it smooth as it is quite sticky.
Irene says
Can this be used to fill a layer cake?
Olivia says
Hi Irene! Yes, I have done that before. You may want to do a dam of buttercream to hold the fluff in.
Brian says
Does this weep when stored? Or will it be ok to use on a tart as a topping?
Olivia says
Hi Brian! It does not weep at all. Perfect for tarts!
Courtney Cotter says
This was a cool recipe but I’m wondering what I did wrong because mine came out fluffy and not sticky lol.
Olivia says
Hi Courtney! Did you make any adjustments to the recipe or ingredients? I think that can sometimes happen if there is not enough sugar.
Jan says
It’s always annoying to me when someone gives a 3+ rating when in fact, they completely change the person’s recipe…well, I’ve annoyed myself. But it may be worth it to write this “review” for those lost souls who, like me, decide to change Olivia’s recipe. Here goes: I don’t like using corn syrup (too long to explain – look it up) and honey was not the flavor I was looking for, so I used a “substitute” which was a Keto Pre-biotic Tapioca Syrup. It set up alright! Whew! Within several minutes the fluff stuff was solid – beautiful strong peaks in the mixing bowl, but as soon as you tried to spread it, it was spreadably resistant. Spreading caused the whole angle food cake to shift, so I resorted to dabbing it on. Needless to say, that makes a rather thick frosting. There are worse things in the world! Taste: very good, not as sweet probably as corn syrup or honey would have made it. Wasn’t sure if this recipe would give me a good layer of frosting on the angel food cake, so I doubled the recipe. Love it when recipes do the math for you…well, I would have had plenty without doubling, but I’ve put rest in freezer, as Olivia suggested.
Olivia says
Hi Jan! I’m so glad to hear it worked out well for you with the substitute! Well enough anyhow :). Thanks for the tip and feedback!
Teri says
Amazing! My first attempt at making anything with boiling sugar. Turned out perfect! Great directions. Thanks so much.
Olivia says
Hi Teri! Happy to hear it turned out well for you and that you loved it!
Sharon says
Love that you gave people the option to change the size of the recipe and US or metric measurements 👍😀 so thoughtful and professional
Good directions and *** Great recipe ….
Olivia says
Thank you Sharon! I hope you love this one 🙂
Daniel says
This stuff is insane. Just like the store bought stuff but better. I followed the recipe exactly, and it was spot on. Once my syrup was incorporated, it took 7 minutes of whipping on high speed, just like the recipe said. I incorporated the vanilla, and whipped for an extra 30 seconds and called it a day. The fluff was cool, not hot.
If you have ever made Italian Meringue, its the exact same process, but with the added light corn syrup. From what I noticed, the syrup mixture on the stovetop heats gradually, so don’t rush it, and make sure your thermometer is not touching the bottom or sides of the pan to get an accurate reading. Also, resist the attempt to stir after the initial stirring, everything will come together nicely.
Just a friendly tip for worry warts like me, if you are nervous about your syrup getting too hot before your meringue reaches soft peaks, you can do what I do:
1. Start whipping the egg whites as soon as you start heating the syrup mixture on the stovetop. My mixer has 6 speeds, and I use speed 4 for this.
2. Oncei I get in between foam and soft peak stage, I turn the mixer to the lowest speed, and leave it alone until the syrup is almost done.
3. When the syrup is almost done, I start whipping at a higher speed again. You honestly don’t even need to reach soft peaks to start pouring your syrup in though, it’s usually just used as a reference point in recipes. Just aim to get somewhere in that ballpark.
Anyways, thanks so much for the recipe Olivia.
Olivia says
Hi Daniel! Thanks so much for the wonderful feedback and all your helpful tips! I am so happy you loved it 🙂
karen says
if i were to put this in a cake would i be able to freeze and thaw leftover slices? thank you!
Olivia says
Hi Karen! Yes, I’ve done that before without issue.
Cindy says
Curious how long should final whipping take for bowl to cook? My mixer went for good 15 more mins an it’s just getting warmer am finally stopped it Bc tip of mixer was hot.. it want to use it inside choc cupcake but concerned it may be too sticky..
Olivia says
Hi Cindy! Yes, it can take that long but shouldn’t be getting warmer. If its done, stiff, and sticky you can just turn it off and let it cool. It will be very sticky.
Marie Huber says
This recipe looks amazing! Do you know if it can be used to fill cupcakes?
Olivia says
Hi Marie! Yes, I think that would be delicious!
Debra Coppernoll says
Yes! I filled cupcakes cupcakes with fluff then topped with more fluff, then topped with sprinkles. Awesome!
It is also wonderful on Graham Crackers.
Mickie McAllister says
OMG I love this. I used honey instead of corn syrup and was worried it wouldn’t turn out but was I wrong!! I is absolutely perfect. I even used baking powder as I was out of tartar but it did the trick. I will never buy this again. It is actually very simple and doesn’t take too long either. You have to try this!
Olivia says
Hi Mickie! So happy you loved it. Thank you for your feedback and tips!
VR says
We forgot to get marshmallow fluff for the special dip kid wanted to make, but happened to have all of this. Turned out great, thanks!
Olivia says
Hi VR! Glad you loved it. Thanks for the feedback!
Vixenvena says
This was an amazing marshmallow fluff for topping! I added pineapple juice and some pineapple tidbits after it whipped to make it truly awesome. Be careful not to add pineapple or pineapple tidbits before whipping. I found that it wouldn’t whip it up… It just sat there… like a lazy bowl of milk with pineapple.
Olivia says
Hi Vixenvena! So happy you loved it. Yes definitely any additions after it is fully whipped up 🙂