Peppermint Marshmallows
Making homemade marshmallows is easier than you’d think! These Peppermint Marshmallows look gorgeous, taste 100x better than store-bought marshmallows and make a great holiday gift. Be sure to save a few to enjoy in your hot cocoa!
Today, we’re making marshmallows. Beautiful, pillowy peppermint-flavored marshmallows that have a gorgeous and vivid red swirl on the top of them. They seem hard to make, right? Most people are surprised by the feat of homemade marshmallows. They’ll be even more impressed when they sink their teeth into the sweet, pillowy puffs of goodness that are incomparable to their store-bought counterparts.
I tackled homemade marshmallows a while back, and have posted a chocolate malt marshmallow and a cake batter marshmallow. Every time I make these fluffy delights, I wonder why I don’t make them more often.
Besides watching for your candy thermometer to reach a certain temperature while you melt down the sugar, and waiting for the mixture to whip into gorgeous white fluff, this recipe isn’t too difficult.
How to make Peppermint Marshmallows:
You start by combining powdered gelatin and water. Once you’ve mixed it up, you’ll wait until it gels. It will turn super thick and gelatinous while it sits in just a few minutes.
While it settles, you’ll prepare the sugar syrup, with just sugar, corn syrup, and water.
The corn syrup in the mixture helps ensure the sugar doesn’t crystallize, and the water helps to make sure the sugar doesn’t burn before it reaches the right temperature. The syrup is left relatively undisturbed once it comes to a boil and a candy thermometer is clipped on. Don’t leave the kitchen though – once the water boils out, the temperature rises quickly.
When the sugar syrup is done, you’ll drizzle the mixture into the gelatin into a stand mixer running on high. Let it mix on high speed for 10 to 12 minutes.
Once fluffy, add your flavoring extracts (peppermint and vanilla, in this case), and pour into the pan.
To get those beautiful red swirls, we drop on red food coloring and quickly swirl it in with a toothpick. Let the marshmallows settle for a few hours, preferably overnight, and then make lots of hot cocoa to enjoy them with!
How to use your homemade peppermint marshmallows
These marshmallows would be good in cocoa, coffee, or dunked in chocolate.
You can cut them into whatever cute shapes you want and you have the perfect gift. I love tying them up in a little bag or box and gifting along with homemade hot cocoa mix!
I’m sort of obsessed with these. Don’t be surprised if you see more homemade marshmallows on here! The endless flavors are calling my name.
More homemade marshmallow recipes…
Homemade Marshmallows
Homemade marshmallows are a super delicious, wonderful alternative to the store-bought ones – and you’ll impress everyone!
Homemade Chocolate Malt Marshmallows
These homemade Chocolate Malt Marshmallows are a delicious twist on traditional marshmallows, and you’ll love making them yourself! These are great in s’mores.
Cake Batter Marshmallows
Homemade Cake Batter Marshmallows are irresistible! These marshmallows are way better than their store-bought counterparts. Pair with white chocolate for a delicious s’mores.
Peppermint Marshmallows
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 64 marshmallows 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Making homemade marshmallows is easier than you’d think! These Peppermint Marshmallows look gorgeous, taste 100x better than store-bought marshmallows and make a great holiday gift. Be sure to save a few to enjoy in your hot cocoa!
Ingredients
- 3 envelopes (0.75 oz unflavored gelatin)
- ½ cup cold water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Red food coloring
- ⅔ cup confectioners’ sugar (sifted, plus more for dusting)
Instructions
- Grease an 9×13-inch pan very well, using a paper towel to rub it and make sure you fully coated the bottom, sides and edges of the pan. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the unflavored gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water. Let stand while you make the syrup.
- Place the sugar, corn syrup and ½ cup water in a medium saucepan and stir gently. Clip a candy thermometer onto the pan, and place it over medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil, checking it occasionally–you are looking for it to eventually hit a temperature of 235-240°F (soft ball stage).
- Once the syrup reaches 235-240°F, pull it from the heat. Carefully transfer the syrup to a large, heatproof measuring cup or a similar vessel with a spout for easy pouring. Turn the mixer up to medium speed and slowly pour the sugar syrup into the gelatin mixture. When all the syrup has been added, turn the speed to medium-high and let it go for about 10-12 minutes–the mixture should turn white and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and salt and increase the speed to its highest setting for 1 more minute.
- Pour the marshmallow into the prepared pan and use an offset spatula spritzed with cooking spray to even it out. Working quickly, drop dots of red food coloring across surface of marshmallow. Using a toothpick, swirl food coloring into marshmallow to create a marble effect. Tap the pan on the counter a few time to get rid of air bubbles. Sift powdered sugar evenly and generously over the top. Let sit for about 6 hours or until firm.
- Use a knife to loosen the marshmallow from the edges of the pan and invert it onto a powdered sugar-dusted work surface. Dust the marshmallow slab with more confectioner’s sugar and cut into whatever size pieces you wish (a pizza cutter works great here). Dip the sticky edges of the marshmallows in more powdered sugar and shake in a sieve to remove excess powdered sugar. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
BEAUTIFUL photos!! I love the one of the marshmallows in the cocoa, just stunning!! I have never made homemade marshmallows before but clearly I need to!
Thanks so much, Annie! You’ll never want to go back to store-bought once you try homemade :)
GORGEOUS photos and I totally love these marshmallows! I’ve been dying to try homemade for awhile!
They aren’t setting for me and I used a thermometer to make sure the syrup got to the right temp. They were meant to be a Christmas gift and they are just staying as marshmallow fluff
Hi Amy, sorry you’re having trouble! Are you sure your gelatin wasn’t expired and it gelled up before adding the hot syrup? Sometimes candy thermometers can be off too if they’ve been dropped or something – it’s helpful to test the calibration in boiling water to make sure it’s correct. Did you change anything else about the recipe?
I can’t seem to change my review so I’ll give a 5 star here.. I realised my gelatin was wrong.. apologies.. completely my fault. I am going to do your recipe again but with the proper gelatin.
No worries, Amy! Thank you for updating your review :) hope they turn out fabulous the next time!
These marshmallows are beautiful! I have been afraid to try my hand at homemade marshmallows, but you make it look so easy.
Gorgeous! You make it seem so easy and I am super encouraged to try now! Do you have recommendations for a good thermometer?
Hi Liz! I actually use a sort of crappy one from the grocery store, and it’s always worked just fine for me! Haha. Here’s a link to a highly rated one on Amazon too :) http://amzn.to/1SOxICt <-- that's an affiliate link! I hope you give it a try :) let me know how it goes if you do. Enjoy!
Your homemade marshmallows look so fabulous on top of that cup of hot chocolate! I’ve got to try making marshmallows one day! What a great holiday gift idea, too.
These are so pretty, I love them!
I ❤️❤️ Home made marshmallows. So much better than the store bought variety. The cake batter marshmallows sound very interesting!!
These are just the prettiest marshmallows I’ve ever seen! I love those red swirls! I still need to buy a candy thermometer but once I have one I’m definitely going to have to try homemade marshmallows, they look just too good to pass up!
I love making marshmallows at home! Homemade is actually the only way I’ll eat them! haha These are so pretty with the swirl!
Oh oh I have ALWAYS wanted to master homemade marshmallows – yours look incredible! I just LOVE that peppermint swirl. These would make such a great Christmas gift. Pinning everywhere!
These marshmallows are ridiculous gorgeous! Love that red/white swirl :)
Love these! I’ve never had homemade marshmallows! I can’t even imagine how delicious they must be. I need to give these a try!
Oh my gosh, peppermint marshmallows – could there BE anything more holiday festive?? These will be a great project for when my daughter gets home for the holidays. :)
Normally I can’t stand marshamllows – my mum used to tell me they were monkey brains but these look so beautiful and inviting. I love the festive red. I have to try making some now.
Those marshmallows are seriously SO pretty, I love all the swirls! I need to try making marshmallows again, haven’t in ages! And peppermint is just perfect for hot chocolate.
Ever since I made my own marshmallows 2 years ago I can’t eat store bought ones anymore. I don’t make my own all the time, I just buy them at Whole Foods from time to time — they’re so much better! Yours are the prettiest marshmallows I’ve ever seen — those swirls! Just gorgeous, Rachel. :)
So gorgeous!!! I love the peppermint swirls! I’ve always wanted to try making homemade marshmallows – yours are perfect! So stunning in the hot cocoa! :)
So I have to admit that I don’t like marshmallows, unless it’s in cereal or hot chocolate. But your homemade version sounds delicious and is so gorgeous! I would gladly devour a few of these!
I love, love LOVE making homemade marshmallows! Seriously though, these beauties are SO gorgeous I think I just might have to make peppermint-flavored ones year-round! Did I mention your photography is GORGEOUS, Rachel??
Never made marshmallows at home before! These are so beautiful! Love love the peppermint swirl. <3
It’s amazing.Now I can make my favorite marshmallows on my own!!! Thank you so much for these wonderful recipe Rachel.. I would try it today itself :)
The recipe says a cup of corn syrup but the instructions only use a half cup. Please help in case I missed something.
Hi Trina. The instructions were correct – it’s 1 full cup. Thanks for catching that!
Amazing Marshmallow recipe. Never will I again buy store bought. Only recipe I’ll ever need. Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed it, Keith!
Sticky mess — tried this and had trouble getting them out of the pan. Can I line the pan with parchment, lift it out and peel it off instead of relying on the greasing of the pan?
Hi Deb – yes, you can do that but I would recommend greasing the parchment. You could also put whole bunch of powdered sugar in an even layer in the bottom of the pan and on top of the marshmallows after you pour them in and even them out to prevent sticking.
Do you happen to know how successful making a smaller batch would be? I would love to try these, but with only two of us, a full batch seems like a lot. Thanks for posting this; they look beautiful and sound heavenly!
Hi Debbie – you could halve the recipe with success! Just use an 8×8 pan instead of a 9×13 pan. Enjoy!
Great! I’ll be trying these very soon. Yummy!!
Thanks for a quick response. This is Great news! I’ll be trying these very soon. Yummy!!
These turned out great, but how did you keep your swirls vibrant red? After I dust the top with the powder the color is dulled? Thanks!
Hi Vickie, I didn’t use too much powder on top to keep the vibrant red color. The white powder will always dull the red on top if you use too much!
I did it. I finally tackled my fear of candy making and made these marshmallows.
They. Are. AWESOME.
I gifted them to some coworkers and converted each marshmallow hater into a lover. They’re not as sweet as store-bought, much more textually pleasing and PERFECT in hot cocoa. My only change for next time would be to grease and powder sugar the pan before pouring in the marshmallows. I needed to really push against the edges to make them plop out. But other than that, easy to make and fun to coat the kitchen in white powder ;) Happy Holidays!
So thrilled you and your coworkers loved them, and that you had great marshmallow success!!! They are SO fun to make! Thanks for your feedback, Natalie :D
Thank you for this recipe. Great directions easy to understand! It turned out amazing! My 5 year old granddaughter loves marshmallows so I thought I would try to make homemade ones! So glad I found your recipe!
So glad they were a hit! Thanks for the review, Kim.
I was a little late for Christmas, but it will definitely be a gift I make next year. Delicious and easy to make, with crystal clear instructions
Thanks for the feedback, Mary! So glad you enjoyed them.
Me and daughter have made this recipe 2x. It easy, fun and tasty. She loves the peppermint flavor and to have it in a marshmallow is the best. We will be making this again for a Xmas gift for the family.
So glad you two are enjoying the marshmallows, Monica!!
Amazing so good everyone loved it, one thing I prefer to use a bit less vanilla extract, it’s just a wee bit much. And also less powdered sugar to sit on top while it sets.
Thanks so much for the feedback, Jade! Glad you were able to adjust to your person preferences :)