Fluffy Dream: Homemade Cotton Candy Marshmallows Recipe
Whipping up cotton candy marshmallows brings pure childhood nostalgia dancing across your taste buds.
Sweet memories spark with each fluffy bite of this playful confection.
Sugar crystals melt into soft, pillowy clouds that shimmer with carnival-like magic.
Pastel swirls create a whimsical treat that connects generations through sugary delight.
Kids and adults alike will fall in love with these melt-in-your-mouth confections.
Crafting these pillowy squares requires simple ingredients and a dash of imagination.
You can transform ordinary marshmallows into an extraordinary dessert that celebrates pure joy.
Cotton Candy Marshmallows For Sweet Carnival Vibes
What’s Needed For Colorful Cotton Candy Marshmallows
Base Ingredients:Flavoring and Coloring:Dusting and Preparation:Instructions For Homemade Cotton Candy Marshmallows
Step 1: Activate Gelatin
Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a stand mixer bowl.
Let the gelatin bloom while preparing the syrup.
Step 2: Create Sweet Syrup
Combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt in a saucepan.
Heat on medium, stirring until sugar dissolves completely.
Crank up the heat to high and boil until the mixture hits 240 degrees on a candy thermometer.
Step 3: Merge Gelatin And Syrup
Carefully stream the scorching hot syrup into the gelatin mixture while mixing on low speed.
Step 4: Whip Into Fluffy Clouds
Kick the mixer to high speed and beat for 10-12 minutes.
The mixture should transform into a thick, billowy texture.
Splash in cotton candy extract and blend thoroughly.
Step 5: Add Playful Colors
Separate the marshmallow mixture into two separate bowls.
Ingredients:Gently fold colors into each bowl until evenly distributed.
Step 6: Prepare Marshmallow Playground
Generously dust a 9×13-inch baking pan with powdered sugar.
Step 7: Create Swirled Masterpiece
Scoop alternating dollops of pink and blue mixtures into the pan.
Use a spatula to create dreamy swirled patterns.
Step 8: Let Magic Happen
Allow marshmallows to set at room temperature for minimum 4 hours or overnight.
Step 9: Transform Into Treats
Dust a cutting board with powdered sugar.
Flip marshmallows onto the board.
Cut into squares using a powdered sugar-coated knife.
Pro Tips For Fluffy Cotton Candy Marshmallows
Ways To Flavor Cotton Candy Marshmallows Creatively
How To Present Cotton Candy Marshmallows At Parties
Storing Marshmallows To Keep Them Extra Soft
FAQs
Cotton candy extract adds a unique, nostalgic flavor that transforms traditional marshmallows into a fun, carnival-inspired treat that tastes exactly like classic cotton candy.
While technically possible, a stand mixer is strongly recommended because it provides the consistent high-speed mixing needed to create the fluffy marshmallow texture and properly incorporate the hot syrup.
Generously dust your cutting board and knife with powdered sugar before cutting. This creates a non-stick surface that helps you slice clean, even marshmallow squares without messy residue.
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Cotton Candy Marshmallows Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Sweet clouds of nostalgia dance through cotton candy marshmallows, blending childhood memories with gourmet charm. Pillowy squares melt with sugary whimsy, inviting you to savor pure confectionery delight.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 3 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 1 1/2 cups (360 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) light corn syrup
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) cold water
Flavoring and Coloring:
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cotton candy extract
- Pink food coloring
- Blue food coloring
Coating:
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Activate gelatin by sprinkling over cold water in a stand mixer bowl, allowing it to bloom while preparing the syrup.
- Create a sugar syrup in a saucepan by combining granulated sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt. Heat on medium, stirring until sugar dissolves, then increase to high heat. Cook until the mixture reaches precisely 240°F on a candy thermometer.
- Gradually stream the scorching syrup into the gelatin mixture while mixing on low speed, ensuring smooth incorporation.
- Elevate mixer speed to high, whipping for 10-12 minutes until the mixture transforms into a voluminous, billowy texture. Incorporate cotton candy extract, blending thoroughly.
- Partition the marshmallow base into two separate containers. Introduce pink food coloring to one portion and blue to the other, gently folding until colors distribute evenly.
- Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
- Artfully spoon alternating dollops of pink and blue marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to create a marbled swirl effect.
- Allow marshmallows to set at room temperature for a minimum of 4 hours, or ideally overnight, until fully stabilized.
- Dust a cutting board with powdered sugar. Invert the marshmallow slab onto the board and slice into uniform squares using a sugar-coated knife.
Notes
- Cold water helps bloom the gelatin evenly, ensuring a smooth marshmallow texture without lumps.
- Use a candy thermometer for accurate temperature, as reaching exactly 240F creates the perfect marshmallow consistency.
- Gently fold food colors to maintain soft, marbled patterns without overmixing and losing the delicate swirl effect.
- Keep marshmallows in an airtight container with parchment between layers to prevent sticking and maintain freshness for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 136
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Michael Reyes
Founder & Lead Recipe Developer
Expertise
Education
Santa Fe Community College
Michael’s love for cooking runs deep, rooted in the bold, colorful flavors of his New Mexico upbringing.
After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Santa Fe Community College, he spent years sharpening his skills in kitchens that celebrated traditional Southwestern and Latin American dishes.
He believes cooking should feel approachable and fun, never complicated. When he’s not stirring up new recipe ideas, Michael’s out hiking scenic trails, chatting with farmers at local markets, or chasing the perfect sunset shot for inspiration.