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This homemade marshmallow fluff recipe is light, airy, and so much better than the jarred version. I’ve been making this recipe for over 20 years and included it in my cookbook, Entertaining with Charm, where it’s one of my go-to recipes for pies, cakes, hot chocolate, and Krispie treats because it creates thick, glossy peaks that hold beautifully every time.
This light and fluffy marshmallow cream is perfect for topping my Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie, swirling into Sweet Potato Casserole, or layering between Homemade Brownies. Once you make marshmallow fluff from scratch, you’ll see how easy it is — and how much better the texture and flavor are than anything store-bought.
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Pin ItIf you love marshmallows check out my Healthy Marshmallows, How to Make Marshmallows, Marshmallow Fondant and Rose Flavored Marshmallows!
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“Wow! Who knew how easy this is to make? I made it for a chocolate pie and almost ate most of it 🙂”
— Yolanda
Table of Contents
Why This is the Best Homemade Marshmallow Fluff
- Comes together with just a few ingredients
- Whips up thick, glossy peaks in 10 minutes
- Light, airy, and not overly sweet
- Naturally gluten-free and made without gelatin
- Perfect for topping cakes, brownies, sundaes, and Krispie treats
- Easy to flavor with coconut, lemon, pumpkin spice, or gingerbread
This is the same recipe I included in my book, Entertaining with Charm, because it never fails. It’s one of my most-used recipes during the holidays and for entertaining.
Marshmallow Fluff Ingredients
Egg Whites: Use large, pasteurized organic egg whites. Whipping them to stiff peaks is essential for the fluff’s texture.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the fluff and contributes to the creamy texture.
Cream of Tartar: Stabilizes the egg whites and ensures the fluff holds its shape.
Light Corn Syrup: Adds glossiness and stiffness to the fluff.
Water: Helps melt the sugar and corn syrup together.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the fluff.
How to Make Marshmallow Fluff (Step-by-Step)
Whip the Egg Whites: In a stand mixer, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Let it keep running while you prepare the syrup.
Cook the Sugar Syrup: In a saucepan, combine water, corn syrup, and sugar. Stir constantly over medium heat until it boils. Let it boil for 5-7 minutes, ensuring it reaches 240°F using a candy thermometer.
Combine and Whip: Gradually pour the hot syrup into the egg whites while the mixer runs on medium-low. Once added, increase to high speed, add vanilla, and beat for 7-10 minutes until thickened.
Expert Tips for Perfect Fluff
Soft-Ball Test: If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a little syrup into ice water. If it forms a soft ball, it’s ready. Boil 5–7 minutes for stability.
Use a Candy Thermometer: Aim for 240°F (soft-ball stage) for perfect results.
Sweet Swaps: You can replace corn syrup with honey or light molasses, but note the flavor and texture will shift.
Flavor Variations: Add in pumpkin pie spice, lemon zest, coconut extract, gingerbread spices, or even chocolate mint—the options are endless!
Easy Flavor Variations
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize! To change the flavor, simply add these extras during the final 2 minutes of whipping.
- Warm Spice Fluff Add 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice or Cinnamon. Perfect for: Sweet potato casserole or topping apple pie.
- Toasted Coconut Fluff Add ½ tsp Coconut Extract and fold in toasted coconut flakes. Perfect for: Chocolate cupcakes.
- Zesty Lemon Fluff Add 1 tsp Lemon Extract and a pinch of fresh lemon zest. Perfect for: Berry trifles or lemon bars.
- Holiday Gingerbread Fluff Add ½ tsp Ground Ginger and a pinch of ground cloves.
- Cool Peppermint Fluff Add ½ tsp Peppermint Extract. Perfect for: Peppermint hot chocolate or brownie layering.
How to Store Homemade Marshmallow Cream
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
Troubleshooting & Success Tips
Marshmallow fluff is a light and fluffy confection made from whipped egg whites, sugar, and vanilla. It’s used as a topping, filling, or dip for various desserts.
Yes, marshmallow cream is another name for marshmallow fluff. However, marshmallow cream has a slightly less stiff texture and doesn’t hold peaks as well.
No, this recipe doesn’t include gelatin, making it different from melted marshmallows.
Yes! Marshmallow fluff is gluten-free. So are my homemade marshmallows, marshmallow fondant, toasted marshmallow syrup and maple syrup marshmallows!
Homemade marshmallow fluff will stay fresh for about 1 week at room temperature in an airtight container, up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, and up to 3 months in the freezer. For the best texture, give it a quick whip before using if it’s been stored.
Yes, you can replace corn syrup with honey, golden syrup, or light molasses, but it will change the recipe. I do this when making my maple syrup marshmallows and healthy marshmallows. The flavor will be different, and the texture may be less stable or not quite as fluffy. If you’re okay with a slight variation, it’s a fun swap to try!
The most common culprit is the temperature of the sugar syrup. If the syrup doesn’t reach the soft-ball stage ($240^{\circ}\text{F}$), it won’t have enough structure to hold the egg whites up. To fix this next time, ensure you are using a candy thermometer or performing the “ice water test” to ensure the syrup is thick enough before pouring.
Graininess happens when sugar crystals don’t dissolve completely or “re-crystallize.” To prevent this, make sure you stir the sugar, water, and corn syrup constantly over medium heat until it begins to boil. Once it starts boiling, stop stirring! You can also use a wet pastry brush to wipe down any sugar crystals on the sides of the pan.
You can use a hand mixer, but be prepared for a workout! You’ll be beating the mixture on high for about 10 minutes, and the fluff becomes very thick and sticky, which can be tough on smaller handheld motors.
Soft Peaks: When you lift the whisk, the foam forms a peak that gently slumps over at the top (like a wave).
Stiff Peaks: When you lift the whisk, the peak stands straight up and holds its shape perfectly without drooping.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Recipes
Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Frosting
Maple Syrup Frosting Recipe
Holidays
Homemade Holiday Marshmallows
If you’ve never made marshmallow fluff from scratch, you’ll be surprised how easy it is — it beats store-bought marshmallow cream every time. Let me know what you think!
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Marshmallow Fluff Recipe
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
- Electric Mixer with Whisk Attachment
Ingredients
- 4 egg whites
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/3 cup water
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a standalone mixer, whisk the eggs and cream of tartar together until soft peaks form. You can let this whisk while you boil the other ingredients.
- In a medium heavy saucepan combine the water, corn syrup and sugar.
- In a medium heavy saucepan, combine the water, corn syrup, and sugar. Stir constantly over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and it reaches a boil. Once boiling, stop stirring. Let the mixture continue to boil undisturbed for about 5–7 minutes. If you are using a candy thermometer, you are looking for the Soft-ball stage (240°F). The syrup must reach this exact temperature to properly thicken the egg whites and create those iconic glossy peaks.
- Once the egg whites create thick peaks, carefully pour the syrup in a thin, steady stream into the whites with the mixer is on medium-low speed. Let it mix fully in between pours.
- Add in the vanilla extract or any other spices and extracts you want to flavor the marshmallow fluff with.
- When it’s all in, beat on high with the whisk attachment until thick. It will thicken up nicely!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is such a phenomenal topping for ice cream! Dewar’s in Bakersfield uses this and it is divine.
Can this fluff be made into chocolate covered marshmallow cream?
I have never done that but you can try!
I see 2 references about storage. The first says that the fluff can let 1 week at room temp and in another section of the text, it says can last 6 weeks. Can you clarify for me?
Thanks