Marshmallows are soft, comforting and taste amazing. They make hot chocolate better, you can toast them by the campfire for a s'mores treat or you can eat them on their own. This article celebrates the fabulous fluffy food with some marshmallow recipes that you won't be able to resist. Time to whip up some marshmallow squares - or whatever shape you want to cut!
What are marshmallows made of?
Marshmallows are traditionally made from sugar, water, and gelatin, which is a protein derived from animal collagen. The mixture is heated until the sugar and gelatin dissolve, and then it is whipped until it becomes fluffy and light. Marshmallows also often contain other ingredients such as corn syrup, flavorings, and food coloring.
Homemade marshmallow recipes
There's nothing wrong with the store-bought variety, but if you have the time to invest in homemade marshmallows, you'll be glad you made the extra effort. Check out these Very Vanilla Marshmallows for a pillow-soft marshmallow that you can cut as large or small as you like.
The great thing about marshmallow is that you can flavour and colour it to your preference. These Cocoa Almond Marshmallows have a wonderfully chocolatey, nutty taste and a subtle brown colour that makes them perfect either as a dessert in their own right or as a topping for your hot chocolate.
Alternatively, go pink. These Pink Lemonade Marshmallows use our Pure Lemon and Vanilla extracts along with some red food to create some coloured marshmallows that the whole family will love.
Prefer a little extra sweetness? These Chocolate Dipped Raspberry Marshmallows use seedless raspberry jam to create a fruity flavour. Then, dip these pink lovelies in melted chocolate. When they set, you'll have a treat that's as gorgeous as it is delicious.
Those chocolate-dipped delights look sleek and sophisticated, but you can also get the kids involved for some creative fun. These bunny-shaped Homemade Easter Marshmallows look unashamedly playful, thanks to a coating of coloured sugar that is fun and easy to apply while working with your little ones in the kitchen.
How to use your marshmallows in recipes
It's fine to eat marshmallows on their own, but you can also incorporate them into other recipes. Either use your from-scratch marshmallows or buy store-bought ones to create chewy sweet desserts that the whole family will love.
You can use marshmallows to create recipes that celebrate specific times of the year. Arrange in a simple patter to make flower petals for these Easy Lemon Daisy Cupcakes, decorating the irresistible cream cheese topping for a lemon-flavoured springtime treat. For another event-themed surprise, garnish these Be Mine Marshmallow Bars with love hearts. They're the perfect treat for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day.
Mini marshmallows also elevate the humble ice-cream sandwich in this recipe for Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream Sandwiches. Frozen strawberries and coconut cream create a creamy cold filling, while Rice Krispies and marshmallows lend their textures to a delightfully chewy crust.
Need another on how to serve your marvelous marshmallow creations? This Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate is the perfect cozy home for your homemade marshmallows.
So far, these marshmallow recipes have all used the soft and familiar marshmallows we know and love, but there's also a semi-solid paste-like version called marshmallow creme. You can buy this, also known as marshmallow fluff, in the store or make your own. It's great for giving confectionery a fluffy and sweet texture. Try it in Easy Lemon Cookie Truffles. Alternatively, use it to make these Luck O' The Irish Cake Pops. They're basically cake and marshmallow on a stick, which might just be the best idea anyone's had, ever.
Marshmallow creme is also a key ingredient in the filling for these Vanilla Cardamom Whoopie Pies, which mixes vanilla and fragrant cardamom to create a deliciously sweet centre.
