October 3, 2024

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Simply The Best Food

Peppermint Marshmallows Recipe – Shugary Sweets

Peppermint Marshmallows Recipe – Shugary Sweets

Give homemade marshmallows a candy cane twist! These Peppermint Marshmallows are perfect for hot chocolate and holiday goodie bags. Or just pop ’em into your mouth!

Make some homemade Peppermint Fudge to share with your loved ones this Christmas. These Hot Cocoa Bombs make a great homemade gift idea too.

Stack of two homemade peppermint marshmallows.

Why this Recipe is Best

If you’ve never made homemade marshmallows before, this easy recipe is a great place to start. Before you know it you’ll be treating all your friends to the best homemade Peppermint Marshmallows!

  • Made from scratch, these marshmallows are fluffy and pillowy soft.
  • This recipe uses peppermint extract for the perfect minty flavor.
  • They look and taste delicious with or without red food coloring!

Use our homemade peppermint marshmallows to make rice krispie treats. Our peppermint krispie treats are a holiday favorite!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed to make peppermint marshmallows.
  • Unflavored gelatin – This holds the sugar and liquid together to give the marshmallow structure.
  • Corn syrup – Using a liquid sweetener helps keep the granulated sugar from crystalizing for a perfect gooey consistency.
  • Powdered Sugar – Extra powdered sugar is needed to dust the marshmallows and pan to keep them from being sticky.
  • Vanilla extract – Be sure to use pure vanilla for best flavor. Or try making our homemade vanilla extract to use in all your baking.

Instructions

Step by step photos showing how to make peppermint marshmallows.

Bloom the gelatin: Combine gelatin powder and half the cold water in a bowl. Leave it for about 5 minutes to “bloom.” This step allows the gelatin to dissolve easily when heated.

Heat sugar and corn syrup: Add sugar and syrup to a sauce pan with the remainder of the cold water. Heat until the mixture reaches 240 degrees.

Make the marshmallow mixture: Turn the mixer to low speed. Slowly pour in the sugar mixture, then the gelatin. Increase mixer speed to high, and whisk until fluffy (about 10 minutes).

At the end of the mixing, add in vanilla and peppermint extracts.

Swirl. Pour the marshmallow mixture into the prepared baking dish. Drop red food coloring onto top of marshmallow and swirl with knife. Sprinkle the top with remaining powdered sugar.

Let the peppermint marshmallows cool for a couple of hours. Slice into squares and enjoy!

Peppermint marshmallows cut into squares.

Tips and Tricks

  • Use a candy thermometer for this recipe. Monitoring the temperature of the syrup ensures consistent results with these homemade marshmallows.
  • Store Peppermint Marshmallows at room temperature covered with foil or plastic wrap. They will stay fresh for up to 3 weeks.
  • Cutting the marshmallows. Cookie cutters are a great way to get holiday shapes. Or a very sharp knife!
  • Gift: wrap the marshmallows in a cellophane bags and give as gifts with hot cocoa bombs too.
Two peppemint marshmallows wrapped in a cellophane bag for a gift.

Recipe FAQs

Can homemade marshmallows be made in advance?

Yes, these peppermint marshmallows are a great treat to make ahead of time. I like to make them the night before serving, then let them cool and set overnight.

How long do they keep?

These homemade marshmallows stay good for up to 3 weeks.

Why are my marshmallows rubbery?

Tough, rubbery marshmallows are often the result of sugar that’s been cooked at too high of a temperature or for too long.
If your marshmallows seem dense instead of light and springy, there’s a good chance you didn’t whip them long enough to incorporate the necessary air.

What size pan should I use?

For tall marshmallows, use a square 8-inch or 9-inch pan. If you don’t have one, a 9 x 13 baking dish works too. Your marshmallows will just be a little shorter.

Two peppermint marshmallows in a white mug of hot cocoa.

More Holiday Desserts

Give homemade marshmallows a candy cane twist! These Peppermint Marshmallows are perfect for hot chocolate and holiday goodie bags. Or just pop 'em into your mouth!

Give homemade marshmallows a candy cane twist! These Peppermint Marshmallows are perfect for hot chocolate and holiday goodie bags. Or just pop ’em into your mouth!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cold water, divided
  • 2 ½ tablespoons unflavored gelatin, approximately 3 packs ( I used Knox gelatin)
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar, divided
  • Red food coloring

Instructions

  1. Grease a 9”x13” baking dish and dust with about half of the powdered sugar. Grease a spatula and handle. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a mixer, add unflavored gelatin and ½ cup of cold water. Stir to combine. Set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan, add sugar, corn syrup, remaining ½ cup water, and kosher salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
  4. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to 240℉, using a digital or candy thermometer to monitor. This process will take about 10 minutes.
  5. Once the syrup reaches temperature, remove from heat.
  6. With the mixer on low speed, using the whisk attachment, slowly add the syrup to the gelatine and water mixture. 
  7. Once all the syrup has been added, turn the mixer up to high speed and let it whisk the mixture until it’s light and fluffy. This process can take about 10-12 minutes. 
  8. During the last minute of whisking, turn the mixer speed down to medium low, and add the peppermint and vanilla extracts. Then return the mixer speed to high.
  9. Pour the marshmallow mixture into the prepared dish. Using the greased spatula, scrape the sides of the mixing bowl to get all the marshmallow fluff. Use the spatula to spread the marshmallow fluff into an even layer.
  10. Using wet fingertips, smooth out the top layer of marshmallow.
  11. Immediately add several drops of red food coloring on the top of marshmallows. Use a smooth butter knife to make swirls.
  12. Sprinkle the top of the marshmallow with powdered sugar and let dry, uncovered, for 4 hours or up to overnight.
  13. With a knife dipped into water, cut into 1” squares.
  14. Place cut marshmallows in a bowl with powdered sugar. Toss to coat.

Notes

  • Storage: Store marshmallows, with extra powdered sugar, in an airtight container. They will keep fresh for up to 3 weeks.
  • When the syrup is ready, it will be clear and bubbly and have a golden color to it.
  • When the marshmallow mixture is ready to pour into the pan, you will notice that it will be shiny (kind of like marshmallow fluff) and cool enough to touch when poured into the pan.
  • Wet fingertips can help smooth out the top layer.
  • Having a knife dipped in water can also aid when it’s time to cut. In our experience, spraying with cooking spray wasn’t the best option – it left an oily residue and discolored some of the marshmallows.
  • When you are slicing them, use long, slow strokes and drag the knife through the marshmallow. You will notice each marshmallow release from the knife as you cut.
  • The marshmallows are very forgiving. The cut lines will give enough guidance for the marshmallows to break away from each other. Even if they look a little misshapen at first, they will snap back into a square.
  • Advantage of making your own is that you can flavor them (peppermint, other extracts) color them with food coloring, and cut them any size you’d like to (the perfect size for s’mores!).
  • Make great gift-giving options as they can be packaged with some hot cocoa mix and a mug, dipped in chocolate and flavored.
  • Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    24

    Serving Size:

    1 marshmallow

    Amount Per Serving:

    Calories: 97Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 24mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 0gSugar: 25gProtein: 1g

    *Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.


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    Make your celebrations even sweeter with a batch of Peppermint Marshmallows! Made with candy canes and lots of peppermint flavor, these marshmallows get everyone in the holiday spirit!