Nothing says “I love you” like a little something made with your own two hands and a whole lot of heart. If you’re looking for a special treat to surprise someone this Valentine’s Day, these homemade marshmallows are just the thing. They’re soft, fluffy, and oh-so-sweet, perfect for the season of love. You’ll be amazed at how easy they are to make.

Homemade Marshmallows with Love for Valentine’s Day

Making homemade marshmallows is easier than it sounds, and the results? Simply delightful! Imagine biting into a soft, pillowy cloud of sweetness—nothing like those store-bought marshmallows. These are made from just a handful of simple ingredients and, with a little patience, turn into the most charming Valentine’s Day treats.

What I especially love about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can cut the marshmallows into hearts, dust them with pretty powdered sugar, or even tint them pink with a touch of food coloring. They pair beautifully with hot cocoa, a little love note, or as a cute addition to a dessert platter. Trust me, once you make these from scratch, you’ll never go back to the store-bought kind again!

Sweet and Simple Ingredients for Homemade Marshmallows

You won’t need to rummage through dozens of cupboards to whip up these marshmallows. The magic lies in just a few simple ingredients, each doing its part to create something truly special.

Gelatin – This is the secret to that light and fluffy texture. It’s what holds the marshmallows together and gives them that lovely bounce when you take a bite. Without gelatin, we’d just have melted sugar, not marshmallow heaven!

Sugar – Regular ol’ granulated sugar is the star here. It brings the sweetness that melts in your mouth and makes these marshmallows the delicious treat they are. Be sure to stir it gently so it dissolves nicely—no gritty business here!

Corn Syrup – Now don’t go turning up your nose at this one! Corn syrup helps keep the sugar from crystallizing and makes everything smooth and creamy. Just a little goes a long way.

Vanilla – Oh, the vanilla… it’s like the hug that ties it all together, giving the marshmallows that warm, comforting flavor you just can’t resist. Use a good one because quality makes all the difference here.

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Step-by-Step Marshmallow Magic

This recipe isn’t hard, but you’ll need to set aside a little time—and maybe put on some soft music to enjoy while you work. Gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and follow along with these simple instructions.

1. Take half a cup of cold water and your gelatin, and let them sit together in the bowl of your stand mixer for about 10 minutes. It’ll look a little funny, but trust me, it’s just blooming—that’s what gives marshmallows their fluff!
2. Next, in a saucepan, mix the sugar, corn syrup, and a splash of water, and heat it all up. Stir it gently until it’s dissolved and starts to look clear, then turn the heat up and watch it bubble away until it reaches about 240°F. Use a trusty candy thermometer here! After that, give it a minute or two to cool down before pouring it over your gelatin.
3. Turn on your stand mixer on low at first, then switch it to high. You’ll see the magic happen—it turns thick, white, and fluffy as clouds. Add in the vanilla and a dab of food coloring, if you want, whip it just a bit longer, and you’re ready to pour.
4. Grease up that baking dish, I like to use coconut oil, but shortening works too, spread the marshmallow mixture in quick. It’ll set up as it cools, so be quick. Leave it overnight uncovered, and by morning, you’ll have the most delightful marshmallow slab. Cut them into squares or make heart-shaped ones for Valentine’s Day, dust them in powdered sugar so they don’t stick.

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Perfect Ways to Enjoy Homemade Marshmallows

Set out a plate of these marshmallows beside a steaming pot of hot cocoa, or wrap them in little cellophane bags with bows to give as Valentine’s treats. If you ask me, they’re best enjoyed fresh.

Storage Tips

Refrigerate – If you’ve made a big batch, you can store marshmallows in the fridge for a slightly longer shelf life. Wrap them tight!

Freeze – Yes, you can freeze marshmallows! Pop them into a freezer-safe container, and they’ll last a couple of months. Just thaw them at room temp before serving.

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5 from 3 votes

Valentine’s Day Marshmallows

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 30 + pieces

Calories: 73kcal

Author: Robin | Fluster Buster

Ingredients

• 1 cup cold water
• 3 envelopes 0.25 ounce unflavored gelatin
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 4 teaspoons vanilla
• red food coloring
• coconut oil or shortening
• confectioners sugar for dusting

Instructions

• Combine 1/2 cup of water and gelatin in the bowl of an electric stand mixer and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
• In a small saucepan, over medium heat, combine sugar, corn syrup and 1/2 cup water and cook until sugar is dissolved. Turn the heat up and cook until the syrup has reached 240°F on a candy thermometer. Cover and remove from heat, allow it to sit for 2-3 minutes before adding it to the gelatin mixture.
• On low speed, using the whisk attachment, slow mix the syrup mixture into the gelatin mixture. Turn the mixer to high an whip until it becomes thick and double its size, about 10 minutes. Add vanilla and food coloring and mix an additional 5 minutes on high.
• Generously grease a 9×13 glass baking dish with coconut oil (or shortening). Quickly pour the marshmallow mixture into the baking dish.
• Allow to sit uncovered, overnight at room temperature until it dries out.
• Turn the marshmallows out onto a board dusted with confectioners sugar. Cut them into squares, or use a heart shaped cookie cutter and dust them with more confectioners sugar.

Notes

The Nutritional Facts that have been calculated on this recipe are only estimates.

Nutrition

Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 19g | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.01mg

This homemade marshmallow recipe is the perfect way to add a little sweetness to Valentine’s Day—or any day, really. There’s something so special about sharing handmade treats, and I just know your loved ones will feel all your love in every bite. Now go on and spread some sweetness!

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Have you ever made homemade marshmallows before, or do you have a favorite way to enjoy them?

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