Marshmallow Frosting

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I’m sharing my favorite recipe for Marshmallow Frosting today! It’s simple to make, not too sweet, and made completely from scratch. Recipe includes a how-to video!

culinary torch toasting a marshmallow frosting swirl on top of a chocolate cupcake

The Best Homemade Marshmallow Fluff

I’ve you’ve ever been disappointed with marshmallow frosting that wouldn’t fully set up or was just way too sweet, then you need to try my recipe. I’ve cracked the code on how to get the perfect light and fluffy texture, glossy white color, and delicate vanilla marshmallow flavor. And best of all–it’s easy to make, too!

Not only is my marshmallow frosting recipe simple to make, but it’s not overly sweet. In fact, it uses surprisingly less sugar than many of my other frostings, such as my classic buttercream frosting.

Why You’ll Love This Marshmallow Frosting:

Unlike many other recipes out there, this one does not require pre-made marshmallow fluff or pre-made marshmallows–we’re making this completely from scratch!
It’s versatile! This frosting can also be used almost anywhere in place of marshmallow fluff. I recommend you try it on chocolate cupcakes.
This is a butter-free recipe, so it’s a great option if you are out of butter or can’t use butter.
It has a perfectly balanced sweetness, which is often a big complaint with frostings.
The technique is different, but I include lots of tips, notes, and a video to make it easy! The technique is similar to my meringue cookies and Swiss meringue buttercream, and if you’ve tackled my homemade marshmallows recipe you can certainly handle this one!

What You Need

overhead view of ingredients including eggs, corn syrup, vanilla, sugar, and salt

Here are the three key ingredients in today’s marshmallow frosting recipe:

Corn syrup. Corn syrup is NOT the same as high fructose corn syrup, which is an ingredient I (and many of you) generally try to avoid. I use corn syrup because it helps keep the sugars in the frosting from recrystallizing and helps the fluff last longer, hold its shape better longer, and last better when refrigerated.
Egg whites. I don’t recommend using store-bought egg whites (often sold in a carton). People have reported mixed success with these, they will not always whip to stiff peaks (and often say so on the carton), which could make for a frosting that’s too soft/droopy.
Cream of tartar. This is important for stabilizing the frosting and keeping it firm. While some people have reported successfully making meringue without it, I recommend using it (it can usually be found in the spice section of your grocery store) for best results.

SAM’S TIP: For those of you who prefer to bake without corn syrup at all, you can just use the filling for my oatmeal cream pies as a marshmallow frosting.

Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!

How to Make Marshmallow Frosting

collage of two photos showing how to prepare a double boiler

Fill a medium saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and bring it to a simmer.
Make sure your bowl is completely clean and does not touch the bottom of your pot when resting on top.

collage of four photos showing how to cook and whip marshmallow to make a frosting

Combine all ingredients except vanilla in your bowl, place it on your prepared saucepan, and begin whisking constantly.
Test to make sure the sugar has dissolved and the syrup is ready by rubbing a drop between your fingers and checking the temperature.
Transfer your bowl to your stand mixer and beat the mixture with a whisk attachment until thick, and fluffy stiff peaks form.
Stir in your vanilla until incorporated and use as desired!

SAM’S TIP: This frosting is great to serve as-is, but it’s even better lightly toasted! I bought an inexpensive culinary torch a few years ago (I’ll link to it in the recipe card) and it’s been so worth it for toasting things like meringue and this frosting.

white mixer beater with white icing that's standing up to show stiff peaks

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won’t my marshmallow frosting reach stiff peaks?

If your frosting is not reaching stiff peaks, it’s possible that there was grease in your bowl or whisk, some egg yolk got in with the white, or water got in the bowl. Unfortunately you will have to start over if this happens. However, you may just need to whip it longer!

Does marshmallow frosting need to be refrigerated?

If consuming within two days, the frosting should be fine to sit at room temperature. Any longer than that, and you’ll need to refrigerate!

Does marshmallow frosting harden?

Any part of the frosting that is exposed to air will become firm, much like the exterior of a store-bought marshmallow. However, the interior, everything beneath the outside layer, will remain soft and sticky!

white frosting being piped onto a chocolate cupcake

Stay tuned for a recipe that uses this homemade marshmallow fluff very soon…

Enjoy!

Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook