Easy Marshmallow Frosting (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Homemade Marshmallow Frosting recipe – great for cakes and cupcakes! Just a few ingredients including marshmallow fluff, butter, vanilla, & powdered sugar make this icing a hit!

This marshmallow fluff frosting can be used to top vanilla cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes, or any flavor cupcake you like! You could even use it to make s’mores brownies with some crushed up graham crackers.

Easy Marshmallow Frosting (1)

No hassle, just quick & easy!

For the most recent cupcakes I made, I decided I wanted to use Marshmallow Frosting. I did a few google searches but found only ones that involved egg whites and decided I needed a quick and Easy Marshmallow Frosting.

I had remembered I saw one on Pinterest one day. It was from Just a Pinch. I usually modify all recipes, but this one was already nearly perfect—I just added a little vanilla. 🙂

It only required a small handful of ingredients, and the finished product was so tasty. It’s a really nice texture too—not too thin and “whipped”, but not too dense like some buttercream frostings. I’ve used it on multiple flavors of cupcakes already!!

Easy Marshmallow Frosting (2)

Just 4 ingredients!

This recipe is so easy because it only uses 4 ingredients (and egg whites is NOT one of them!!):

  • butter (make sure it’s at room temperature)
  • marshmallow fluff
  • powdered sugar
  • vanilla extract (extract, not flavoring)

If you’re having a hard time finding the marshmallow fluff, check in the baking isle of your grocery store. The label might also say “jet puffed marshmallow creme”. This works the same! If you still don’t have any luck, Amazon is always on option. 😉

When you’re mixing the ingredients together, make sure the powdered sugar and butter are completely creamed together before adding anything else. There should be no visible clumps of powdered sugar.

Use a rubber spatula to scrape any stray clumps from the side of the bowl, and to mix in the fluff by hand (rather than using a beater/electric hand mixer).

Easy Marshmallow Frosting (3)

Tips, tricks, and troubleshooting

How much this frosting will cover depends on how you use it. If you’re piping it on, or being really decorative, this recipe makes enough frosting to cover 12 cupcakes. If you are spreading it on with a knife, it will cover several more.

You can use it to frost a cake, however you might need to double the recipe for a 9×13 cake, or for a double layer 8 inch round cake.

I’ve had several readers ask if you can use a kitchen torch to brown this frosting (kind of like a toasted marshmallow). Although I have never tried, one reader said it does work if you use really high heat up close. If you’re too far away, the frosting will melt before it browns.

Make ahead and store? Because this recipe is more of a buttercream type frosting, and doesn’t have egg whites in it, you can easily make it in advance and store in the fridge for several days before using. As long as it is kept cool, it will stay in good condition.

You can even frost your cupcakes a day or two in advance, and keep in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

If your frosting is too runny, you might need to add a bit more powdered sugar to stiffen it up. I wouldn’t add more than a couple tablespoons at a time, and then mix well to see how it affects the consistency.

Areas that are warm or humid might affect the consistency of your frosting as well. Put it in the fridge for a while to see if that does the trick.

Easy Marshmallow Frosting (4)

This recipe was soooo easy and was so yummy!! It’s definitely a new favorite, and I can’t wait to make it again.

For more delicious frosting recipes, check out:

  • Berry Buttercream Frosting
  • Chocolate Chip Frosting
  • Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Strawberry Frosting
  • Cinnamon Roll Icing

Easy Marshmallow Frosting (5)

Easy Marshmallow Frosting (6)

4.95 from 585 votes

Marshmallow Frosting Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna

Homemade Marshmallow Frosting recipe – yum! Few ingredients including marshmallow fluff, butter, vanilla, & powdered sugar make this a hit!

Servings: 12

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Total: 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Beat butter and powdered sugar until fluffy and well mixed.

  • Mix in fluff and vanilla by hand and mix well.

  • Add to piping bag and pipe onto cupcakes.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 79kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 33mg, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 120IU, Calcium: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Making this recipe? Tag us!

Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

Categorized as: American Recipes, Cakes, Cuisines, Desserts, Recipes

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

More About Kristyn

Easy Marshmallow Frosting (7)

So Easy & So Yummy

Get my cookbook!

My new cookbook is the ultimate resource for feeding your friends and family with 200+ simple recipes including videos, tips & more!

Order Today

Easy Marshmallow Frosting (2024)

FAQs

What is marshmallow icing made of? ›

In large bowl, beat marshmallow creme, softened butter, vanilla and 1 tablespoon milk with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Beat in powdered sugar until fluffy. If necessary, beat in more milk, a few drops at a time, until thin enough to spread.

Can I whip melted marshmallows? ›

Microwave the regular-sized marshmallow or minis (if using the crème, no need to microwave it first) in a small, microwave-safe bowl until melted, about two 5-second bursts on high. Scrape it into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.

Is melting marshmallows the same as marshmallow fluff? ›

Is Melting Marshmallows the Same as Marshmallow Fluff? Not quite. Marshmallows contain gelatin, which helps them hold their shape. Marshmallow fluff is always in “fluff” form and doesn't contain any gelatin; just egg whites and cream of tartar to help stabilize it!

Can you use regular marshmallows instead of fluff? ›

Yes, you can use your delicious homemade marshmallows to make fluff! However, you might need to increase the amount of corn or simple syrup in the recipe to 1 1/2 teaspoons per 1 cup of marshmallows.

Is marshmallow ice cream topping the same as marshmallow fluff? ›

Is marshmallow creme the same as marshmallow fluff? While they have similar consistencies and flavor there is one notable difference between creme and fluff. Creme contains cream of tartar while fluff does not, making it ideal for use in fudge.

What is marshmallow whip made of? ›

Fluff's ingredients include corn syrup, sugar syrup, vanilla flavor, and egg whites. Fluff continues to be a regional tradition in the Northeastern United States.

How do you melt marshmallows for topping? ›

You can also melt marshmallows in a microwave. Heat them in a large microwave-safe bowl with a couple of tablespoons of water. You'll need to check them every 10 seconds, stirring each time to ensure they melt evenly.

Will melted marshmallow harden? ›

As anyone who's ever made a s'more knows, marshmallows get pretty sticky when melted or cooked. The last thing you want is to accidentally burn yourself with the sticky mixture. Likewise, if you leave melted marshmallows out too long then they'll begin to harden.

Can you melt store bought marshmallows? ›

In a nonstick pot, melt the marshmallows over medium low heat, stirring until smooth. Immediately spread the marshmallows out into the prepared pan. Dust the tops with icing sugar and let set for 20-30 minutes.

How do you liquify marshmallow fluff? ›

Place a small quantity of Fluff in a bowl, then slowly add warm water while mixing with a fork. Or, place 4 heaping tablespoons of Fluff and 3 tablespoons of water in a microwave-safe container, then microwave on high for 15 seconds. Remove and stir.

What are the ingredients in Jet Puffed marshmallow creme? ›

CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, WATER, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF DRIED EGG WHITES, CREAM OF TARTAR, XANTHAN GUM, ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL FLAVOR.

Can you use outdated marshmallow fluff? ›

Best before means after that date, the product may not taste as good as if it had been consumed within that time. It doesn't mean do not consume. The best thing to do is smell it, taste it, and if tastes fine , it probably is fine.

Can you use dried out marshmallows for Rice Krispie Treats? ›

Most importantly, they don't melt nearly as well. Instead of becoming soft and gooey, they melt into a one giant blob. → Follow this tip: Save the older marshmallows for hot cocoa and s'mores, and pick up a fresh bag of marshmallows to ensure a really great batch of rice krispie treats.

What substance is marshmallow made from? ›

A typical marshmallow contains sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin, plus some air. That's it. “A marshmallow is basically a foam that's stabilized by gelatin,” says Richard Hartel, a food engineer at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In marshmallows, the foam is made up of air suspended in a liquid sugar mixture.

Do marshmallows have beef or pork gelatin? ›

Although most gelatin is obtained from pigs bones, there is no meat present in sweet marshmallows. Most marshmallows contain gelatin which is a substance obtained from collagen found in the bones of various animals, including cattle, pigs and fish.

Is marshmallow made of egg white? ›

There's really just three steps to whipping up a batch of marshmallows; Make a syrup, whip the egg whites, then pour the syrup and gelatin into the whites while whipping. Once that's done, you can cut or snip them into any size or shape.

Why is my royal icing like marshmallow? ›

The icing will turn light and fluffy like marshmallow fluff if it has enough moisture. Be careful not to add too much water though because it is difficult to make the icing thicker again.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tyson Zemlak

Last Updated:

Views: 5779

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tyson Zemlak

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Apt. 662 96191 Quigley Dam, Kubview, MA 42013

Phone: +441678032891

Job: Community-Services Orchestrator

Hobby: Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Metalworking, Fashion, Vehicle restoration, Shopping, Photography

Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.