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Bring some carnival vibes into your home with these melt-in-your-mouth cotton candy marshmallows. They're a crowd-pleaser for get-togethers, and their dreamy pastel colors and soft texture make any dessert spread way more fun.
My kids get so excited for these every single time, and swirling in the colors with them has turned into our favorite weekend thing to do together.
Dreamy Ingredients
- Powdered sugar and cornstarch: toss your finished marshmallows in this mixture so they don’t get sticky and clump up
- Gel food coloring: these bring all the eye-catching swirls use gels for clean, bright colors and a good texture not watery ones
- Cotton candy flavoring: this is where the sweet fun comes from choose a trusted baking flavor
- Salt: a little pinch helps keep the sweetness in check
- Light corn syrup: keeps things glossy and soft clear syrup works best for a nice color payoff
- Granulated sugar: add this for sweetness and that classic marshmallow build only use fresh for best results
- Unflavored gelatin: you’ll need three packs for the perfect fluffy texture brand name packets usually give you the best puff
- Cold water: icy water makes the gelatin bloom add filtered if you want tasteless marshmallows
Double check your gelatin and corn syrup haven’t expired if you want super soft, shiny marshmallows every time.
Step-by-Step Directions
- Cut and Coat
- Mix your cornstarch and powdered sugar, cover your work surface, pop the set marshmallow slab out, peel away the parchment, and sprinkle even more sugar mixture on top. Slice neat squares with a grease-slicked knife or get creative and stamp out fun shapes. Roll each marshmallow in the mixture so nothing sticks together.
- Set and Cure
- Let the pan sit out uncovered for at least six hours overnight is perfect. This gives your treats time to become bouncy and keeps them from getting soggy.
- Transfer to the Pan
- Spray your spatula with oil and quickly scoop that thick mixture into your lined pan. Work fast to smooth it out and watch those color swirls pop.
- Add Flavor and Color
- Drop in the cotton candy flavor and squeeze in a little of your chosen colors. Swirl gently to make pretty patterns and mix lightly for that cool tie dye vibe.
- Whip the Marshmallow Mixture
- With your stand mixer running on low, slowly pour the sizzling hot syrup into the bowl over the bloomed gelatin keep your hands safe! Turn up the speed and whip until it’s tripled in volume, shiny and gooey, and holding soft peaks—about twelve minutes.
- Cook the Sugar Syrup
- Put sugar, corn syrup, a little salt, and the last of the cold water in a saucepan. Stir slowly just until it looks clear, then raise the heat and let it bubble until your thermometer says 240°F. Don’t rush it or stir too much, or you’ll get gritty crystals.
- Bloom the Gelatin
- Sprinkle all your gelatin onto half a cup of icy water in the stand mixer bowl and leave it alone for ten minutes. This gets it ready to become soft and marshmallowy.
- Prepare the Pan
- Push parchment paper into a nine-inch square pan and rub it with a thin coating of oil. This way your marshmallows will pop right out later on.
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It’s the cotton candy flavor that really takes these over the top. Plus, every batch ends up getting a totally unique look—my kids always surprise me with new color combos, sometimes even going all out with a crazy rainbow swirl after a busy afternoon.
Storage Advice
To keep these marshmallows super soft, stash them in a sealed container at regular room temp. Putting them in the fridge just turns them sticky. If they ever feel a bit tacky, dust with more of that powdered sugar and cornstarch mix, and you’re good.
Swaps and Substitutions
If you don’t have cotton candy flavoring, plain vanilla or fruity extracts like strawberry are both tasty. For a more natural look, stir in some crushed freeze dried berries instead of artificial color. Can’t get corn syrup? Golden syrup works, but expect a little change in shade and flavor.
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Fun Ways to Serve
Pop these on top of mugs of hot cocoa, serve with brownies, or pile a bunch on ice cream sundaes. Try squishing them between chocolate cookies or wrapping them up in cute bags to hand out as gifts.
Where This Treat Comes From
People have been making marshmallows from scratch in American kitchens for ages, but the idea to use cotton candy flavor is a newer spin that’s all about fun and nostalgia. It’s like mixing two classic treats into one that feels both retro and totally fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How can I make that marbled look inside?
Once the food colors are in, give them a gentle swirl with a toothpick before pouring it into your dish. That creates the fun streaks.
- → Is it okay to swap out the cotton candy taste?
Sure thing! You can toss in vanilla, strawberry, or whatever extract you like for a new spin.
- → What's the best way to keep them from going stale?
Keep your marshmallows in a tight-sealed container. They'll stay soft and tasty for about seven days on the counter.
- → How do I slice marshmallows so they don't stick?
Grease your knife or cookie cutter first and sprinkle on some powdered sugar mix so nothing clings.
- → Can I pop these in something hot?
Yep! Drop them in your cocoa, coffee, or even on desserts for a burst of flavor and color.