{"id":"b814d7ac-9e92-468f-8552-58151e259b7b","url":"https://recipestripper.com/recipes/b814d7ac-9e92-468f-8552-58151e259b7b","source_url":"https://www.theflavorbender.com/how-to-make-marshmallows-tips-and-tricks-for-homemade-marshmallows/","title":"Perfect Homemade Marshmallows","description":"Learn how to make perfect marshmallows with this step by step detailed recipe, and troubleshooting guide! No corn syrup needed, if that's what you prefer. Once you know the basics, you can make perfect vanilla marshmallows every single time.Makes about 49 - 64  1 x 1 inch marshmallows, or 25 - 36 slightly larger marshmallows.Intermediate - This recipe will be easy for those who like to cook / bake regularly.  Using the tips given in the post will make the process easy. Please read the whole recipe (and post) before proceeding for the first time.","servings":64,"servings_text":"64","prep_time":"PT20M","cook_time":"PT20M","total_time":"PT400M","image_url":"https://www.theflavorbender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Homemade-Marshmallows-The-Flavor-Bender-Featured-Image.jpg","ingredients":[{"text":"400 g white sugar","item":"white sugar","quantity":400,"unit":"g"},{"text":"½ tsp white vinegar","item":"white vinegar","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"100 g agave or honey or corn syrup","item":"agave or honey or corn syrup","quantity":100,"unit":"g"},{"text":"120 mL water","item":"water","quantity":120,"unit":"ml"},{"text":"120 mL water (½ cup, to bloom the gelatin)","item":"water","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","preparation":"1/2 cup, to bloom the gelatin"},{"text":"18 g gelatin powder (6 tsp / about 2.5 packets of Knox gelatin)","item":"gelatin powder","quantity":18,"unit":"g","preparation":"6 tsp / about 2.5 packets of Knox gelatin"},{"text":"1 pinch kosher salt / sea salt ((I prefer to use about ¼ tsp to balance the sweetness))","item":"kosher salt / sea salt ((I prefer to use about 1/4 tsp to balance the sweetness))","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch"},{"text":"2 tsp pure vanilla extract","item":"pure vanilla extract","quantity":2,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"120 g cornstarch (sifted, about ½ cup)","item":"cornstarch","quantity":120,"unit":"g","preparation":"sifted, about 1/2 cup"},{"text":"60 g confectioner’s sugar (sifted, about ½ cup)","item":"confectioner’s sugar","quantity":60,"unit":"g","preparation":"sifted, about 1/2 cup"}],"instructions":[{"number":1,"text":"Place the water in the mixer bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over the water and stir to saturate the gelatin in the water. Set it aside for at least 10 minutes while you get the syrup and the pan ready.","section":"Blooming the gelatin"},{"number":2,"text":"Using butter or shortening, grease a 9 x 9 inch pan with a thin layer. This is my preferred method.","section":"Prepping the pan"},{"number":3,"text":"You can also use solid coconut oil. Do not use liquid oil (like vegetable oil), as it wouldn’t spread on the surface evenly. You can also line the pan with good quality parchment paper, but be careful when you peel it off at the end. Another option is to dust the pan with the cornstarch dusting powder, but this can result in some sticky spots.","section":"Prepping the pan"},{"number":4,"text":"Place the sugar and water in a pot. Add the vinegar and agave or honey (or substitute). Stir very gently until the sugar is moistened and mixed with the water.","section":"Making the sugar syrup"},{"number":5,"text":"Heat over medium / medium high heat until the sugar syrup starts to simmer. Gently swirl the pan to evenly distribute the heat, and to help dissolve the sugar.","section":"Making the sugar syrup"},{"number":6,"text":"When the syrup comes to a boil, cover the saucepan with a lid and lower the heat to medium / medium low to simmer the syrup. Let the syrup simmer for about 2 minutes, without lifting the lid off the saucepan.","section":"Making the sugar syrup"},{"number":7,"text":"After 2 minutes, remove the lid and check to make sure there are no sugar crystals on the side of the saucepan. If there are still crystals on the sides, then cover the saucepan for a further minute to allow the condensation to wash down the sugar crystals into the syrup.","section":"Making the sugar syrup"},{"number":8,"text":"Clip the sugar thermometer to the side of the saucepan to monitor the temperature, or if you have an instant read thermometer, check the sugar syrup temperature every few minutes.","section":"Making the sugar syrup"},{"number":9,"text":"Continue to cook the sugar syrup on medium / medium high heat until it reaches the correct temperature. Gently and frequently swirl the pan to ensure the syrup is cooking evenly.","section":"Making the sugar syrup"},{"number":10,"text":"The sugar syrup must be heated to between 240 - 245°F.","section":"Heating syrup to the right temperature"},{"number":11,"text":"For most climates, around 242 - 243°F works great. If you live in a cold, dry climate, heat the syrup to 240°F. If you live in a hot, humid climate, heat the sugar syrup to 245°F. Check recipe notes for more information.","section":"Heating syrup to the right temperature"},{"number":12,"text":"If you don't have a sugar thermometer, please check the sugar stage every 5 minutes with the cold water test until it reaches the firm-ball stage. (Please read the notes in the post to learn how to do this.)","section":"Heating syrup to the right temperature"},{"number":13,"text":"When the sugar syrup reaches the right temperature, remove it from the heat and let the bubbles subside for a few seconds.","section":"Heating syrup to the right temperature"},{"number":14,"text":"Place the bowl with the bloomed gelatin in the mixer with a whisk attachment. Whisk the gelatin on medium speed for a few seconds to break it up. Add the salt to the gelatin as well.","section":"Making the marshmallow mix"},{"number":15,"text":"While the mixer is running on medium / medium low speed, carefully stream in the sugar syrup. Do not dump it all at once.","section":"Making the marshmallow mix"},{"number":16,"text":"Do not pour the syrup directly on the whisk to avoid splash back, and instead pour it along the wall of the bowl. Pour in all of the sugar syrup and the heat should dissolve all of the gelatin.","section":"Making the marshmallow mix"},{"number":17,"text":"Increase the speed to high (9 or 10), and whisk the mixture for at least 5 - 6 minutes. The base should increase about 3 times in size and become white, fluffy, and smooth. It should look like a very fine, glossy, thick meringue.","section":"Making the marshmallow mix"},{"number":18,"text":"Add the vanilla and whisk for a further 1 - 2 minutes until the vanilla mixes through the entire mixture.","section":"Making the marshmallow mix"},{"number":19,"text":"The total whisking time can be between 5 - 8 minutes.","section":"Making the marshmallow mix"},{"number":20,"text":"Since it’s easier to spread the marshmallow mixture while it’s warm, stop whisking the marshmallow mix while the bowl is still warm to the touch.","section":"Making the marshmallow mix"},{"number":21,"text":"Using a clean spatula, fold the mixture if there’s any vanilla stuck to the sides.","section":"Making the marshmallow mix"},{"number":22,"text":"Scrape all of the mixture into the 9 x 9 inch pan, and spread it evenly inside the pan using an offset spatula. Scrape in any mixture that is stuck to the spatula and bowl before it sets.","section":"Spread and set the marshmallow"},{"number":23,"text":"The marshmallow mixture will thicken and get sticky as it cools down. Cover the spatula with a thin layer of butter / shortening to make it easier to spread the sticky marshmallow if needed.","section":"Spread and set the marshmallow"},{"number":24,"text":"Sift the dusting powder (confectioner’s sugar + cornstarch mix) over the top of the marshmallow liberally to completely cover the surface.","section":"Spread and set the marshmallow"},{"number":25,"text":"Set the marshmallow aside to let it set / cure for at least 6 hours at room temperature. Do not put the marshmallow mix in the fridge. Once the marshmallow mixture has cooled to room temperature, you can loosely cover it with plastic wrap as well.","section":"Spread and set the marshmallow"},{"number":26,"text":"Turn the set marshmallow block out onto a work and cutting surface that’s dusted with dusting powder. The marshmallow block should easily release from the pan when it’s gently pulled away from the pan with your fingers.","section":"Cut the marshmallows"},{"number":27,"text":"Cut the block into 8 x 8 small squares. You can cut the marshmallows into any shape or sixe you like, but I like cutting them into smaller 1 x 1 inch portions.","section":"Cut the marshmallows"},{"number":28,"text":"To get clean, neat cuts, lightly grease the blade of your straight blade knife or even scissors. Scrape off any marshmallow residue that sticks to the blade frequently and re-apply the grease to keep it from sticking to the marshmallow.","section":"Cut the marshmallows"},{"number":29,"text":"Toss the cut marshmallows in the dusting powder and store in an air-tight container with some extra dusting powder.","section":"Cut the marshmallows"},{"number":30,"text":"Mix the confectioner's sugar and cornstarch together until well combined. Set aside until needed. You can also use only cornstarch, if you don’t want to add sugar.","section":"Dusting powder"}],"date_published":"2026-10-30T00:04:22.425711+00:00","date_modified":"2026-10-30T00:04:22.425711+00:00"}