Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows – How to make homemade vanilla bean marshmallows. Once you eat a homemade marshmallow it’s hard to go back to the bag.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (1)

If you have ever eaten a homemade marshmallow, it is hard to eat one that comes in a plastic bag from the grocery store ever again. They are so soft and chewy and full of vanilla flavor.

I might have indulged in one of those delicacies this evening. I was too lazy to go outside and turn on the grill, so like a good Girl Scout, I came up with an alternate plan for toasting my marshmallow. I used my kitchen torch on it, and it was so perfect, that I might never make s’mores outside ever again. Speaking of which, have you tried makingS’mores BarsorS’mores Cookies?

The other day, I was late to teach my class (what else is new?), and I apologized saying that I was late because I was finishing making these marshmallows. My co-teacher looked at me as if I had 3 heads.

“Why on Earth would you do such a thing? I didn’t even know that you could make a marshmallow”, she replied.

I thought about this for a moment. Why would I make a marshmallow from scratch? Because I can. Sometimes I make things just to see if I can do it. The more challenging the better.

Why You Will Love These Marshmallows

These marshmallows are incredible, and hand to heart, use these for s’mores, and you will think that you have died and gone to heaven. This is why:

  • They are fresher: Homemade marshmallows are made from scratch, so they are fresher and more delicious than store-bought marshmallows, which can be stale and lacking in flavor.
  • You can make these in any flavor: But the vanilla bean is my favorite. There is something almost sexy about seeing teeny, black flecks of vanilla bean in all of that pure white goodness. To explore the wonders of marshmallows further, check out ourCinnamon Vanilla Bean Marshmallowsrecipe.
  • They are healthier: Homemade marshmallows are generally healthier than store-bought marshmallows, as you can use natural sweeteners, such as honey or maple syrup, instead of processed sugar. You can also use healthier ingredients, such as coconut milk or almond milk, to make the marshmallows.
  • They are fun to make: Making marshmallows at home is a fun and rewarding experience. It’s a great way to spend time in the kitchen, and it can be a fun activity to do with kids. Plus, the satisfaction of creating something delicious from scratch is hard to beat.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Ingredients

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (2)
  • 3 packets of unflavored gelatin
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 vanilla bean (seeded)

How to Make – The Steps

Step 1: Pour 1/2 cup of water into a small bowl. Sprinkle the packages of gelatin over the water. Give it a whisk. Let the mixture sit while you make the sugar syrup.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (3)

Step 2: Combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, do not stir this mixture.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (4)

Step 3: Once the sugar dissolves, raise the heat to medium-high and cook until a candy thermometer reaches 240 degrees.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (5)

Step 4: Put the gelatin mixture and the scraped vanilla seeds into the bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk attachment.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (6)

Step 5: Slowly pour the sugar mixture into the mixer while on low speed.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (7)

Step 6: Whip on high speed for 10 to 15 minutes. It will have gained volume and turned bright white. Add the vanilla.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (8)

Step 7: This is the most important thing to remember, dust the bottom of a 9×13 pan with powdered sugar. Be very generous with the sugar, or you will never get the marshmallow out of the pan. Trust me on this one. Pour the marshmallow out and smooth.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (9)

Step 8: Let the pan sit out, uncovered, overnight.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (10)

Step 9: The next day, cut it out using a sharp knife, or cookie cutters. Dip the cookie cutters into powdered sugar so that you can get them out. Also, dust the marshmallows again (especially the sides) so they do not stick together.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (11)

These are amazing in a cup of hot chocolate.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (12)

Or just plain

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (13)

How to Store Homemade Marshmallows

These homemade marshmallows have no conservatives so you need to be careful when storing them to ensure they stay fresh for as long as possible. Here are some easy guidelines to store them:

  • At room temperature: they will keep for about 1 week at room temperature in an airtight container. For a twist on the classic treat, you might want to try makingCinnamon Vanilla Bean MarshmallowsorChai Latte Marshmallows.
  • In the refrigerator: they will keep for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
  • In the freezer: they will keep for about 3 months in the freezer. Place the marshmallows in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.

Tips And Tricks to Make Perfect Homemade Marshmallows

Making perfect marshmallows isn’t complicated but you are almost guaranteed to be successful if you follow those simple tricks:

  1. Use the right ingredients: I would say this is true for any recipe but make sure to use high-quality ingredients, it always leads to significantly better results.
  2. Use homemade syrup: To make the marshmallows, you will need to use a sugar syrup. And the good news is that you can make it yourself by heating the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Make sure to stir the mixture constantly, and use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. The syrup is ready when it reached 240 F.
  3. Soften the gelatin: The gelatin needs to sit for a few minutes in a bowl with water, and then be microwaved for a few seconds to melt. You can do that while the syrup is cooking.
  4. Dont rush when mixing the ingredients: You will need at least 10 minutes in a mixer on high speed.
  5. Dust marshmallows with sugar: After cutting them, make sure to dust the marshmallows (especially the sides) so they don’t stick together.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (14)

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows

bakedbree

5 from 2 votes

Servings 24

Calories 90 kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 packets unflavored gelatin
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 vanilla bean seeded

Instructions

  • Pour 1/2 cup of water into a small bowl. Sprinkle the packages of gelatin over the water. Give it a whisk. Let the mixture sit while you make the sugar syrup.

    Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (15)

  • Combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, do not stir this mixture.

    Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (16)

  • Once the sugar dissolves, raise the heat to medium-high and cook until a candy thermometer reaches 240 degrees.

    Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (17)

  • Put the gelatin mixture and the scraped vanilla seeds into the bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk attachment.

    Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (18)

  • Slowly pour the sugar mixture into the mixer while on low speed.

    Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (19)

  • Whip on high speed for 10 to 15 minutes. It will have gained volume and turned bright white. Add the vanilla.

    Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (20)

  • This is the most important thing to remember, dust the bottom of a 9×13 pan with powdered sugar. Be very generous with the sugar, or you will never get the marshmallow out of the pan. Trust me on this one. Pour the marshmallow out and smooth.

    Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (21)

  • Let the pan sit out, uncovered overnight.

    Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (22)

  • The next day, cut out using a sharp knife, or cookie cutters. Dip the cookie cutters into powdered sugar so that you can get them out. Also, dust the marshmallows again (especially the sides) so they do not stick together.

    Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (23)

Nutrition

Calories: 90kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.1gSodium: 34mgPotassium: 1mgSugar: 23gCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.01mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my homemade marshmallows not fluffy? ›

Even just a couple degrees too hot or too cool makes all the difference. If the sugar isn't cooked hot enough, they'll be mushy (and possibly contribute to the "soggy" factor mentioned above). If the syrup is cooked too hot, they'll set too firm and chewy and lack volume.

Are marshmallows always vanilla flavored? ›

Unless a variation of the standard marshmallow is being made, vanilla is always used as the flavoring. The vanilla can either be added in extract form, or by infusing the vanilla beans in the sugar syrup during cooking. This is the best technique to get an even distribution of flavor throughout the marshmallow.

Are homemade marshmallows better than store bought? ›

While making homemade marshmallows is admittedly more time consuming than just buying a bag from the store, they truly put the store-bought version to shame. Far better in both texture and flavor, homemade marshmallows are 100% worth the effort and time it takes to make them–I promise!

What substance in a marshmallow makes it fluffy? ›

In marshmallows, the foam is made up of air suspended in the liquid sugar mixture. Gelatin is probably the most important part of a marshmallow, because it serves as the scaffolding that keeps all the sugar and flavor goodness in place and gives the marshmallow its stretchy, gooey texture.

Can you overmix marshmallows? ›

But don't slack off, because too few or too many strokes will mess up your marshmallow. "Overmixing takes away from the fluffy texture," Barbera says. "Underwhipping is a big problem," Hergatt adds. "You want the proper aeration so that it sets nice and pillowy."

Are vanilla marshmallows the same as regular marshmallows? ›

Plain marshmallow on its own is just sugar. It's texture more than anything else. You flavor the marshmallow for adifferent flavor. Vanilla is a classicflavoring and that's probably why it's commonly added to marshmallow to round off the sugar flavor.

How long do homemade marshmallows last? ›

Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioners' sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Do white and pink marshmallows taste the same? ›

Only one-third of tasters could pick up on a flavour difference between the white and pink marshmallows in this sample. Most could not differentiate what the flavour difference was, though one taster felt that the pink one “tastes like rose”, while another picked up on “candyfloss”.

Can dogs have marshmallows? ›

Marshmallows, regardless of their sweetener content, are loaded with sugar, which should never be given to your pet. Even if your dog consumes marshmallows without artificial sweeteners, you should still be cautious as the high sugar levels can lead to an upset stomach, pancreatitis, and vomiting.

What were old marshmallows made of? ›

In the 19th century, marshmallows were made by mixing mallow root sap, egg whites and sugar into a fluffy mold. The French added cornstarch to help speed up the production and give the candy its unforgettable form. Today the manufacturing of marshmallows is quite different. Mallow root sap has been replaced by gelatin.

Can you freeze homemade marshmallows? ›

Simply seal your homemade or store-bought marshmallows in a bag and throw them in the freezer. Next time you're serving hot chocolate, take out what you need—they'll be thawed within 2 minutes.

Can Muslims eat marshmallows? ›

Foods like jellybeans, marshmallows, and other gelatin-based foods also typically contain pork byproducts and are not considered Halal. Even products like vanilla extract and toothpaste can contain alcohol! Muslims will generally not eat meat that has also come in contact with pork.

What does corn syrup do in marshmallows? ›

Corn syrup pulls double duty in a marshmallow. It doesn't crystallize like sugar does, plus it actually reduces the amount of dissolved sugar that crystallizes.

What happens when you put a marshmallow in vinegar? ›

We found that the vinegar had caused the most "melting" even though it had not melted as much as we thought it would have. When we turned it with forceps, it came apart easily and was much smaller on the side that was in the vinegar. The co*ke and the cranberry juice "stained" the marshmallow and made them soggy.

How do you puff up marshmallows? ›

Here's what you do: Take a marshmallow Peep (or a regular marshmallow) and place it on a lightly greased or parchment-lined plate. Microwave it on high for no more than 45 seconds. Watch your marshmallow Peep puff and expand as it does its best Bruce Banner-meets-Jabba the Hutt impression!

Why is my marshmallow fluff runny? ›

Once the syrup reaches the appropriate range, it should form a soft, pliable ball when dropped into cold water. If it forms a soft ball that you can shape with your fingers, you've hit the soft ball stage. Ensuring you hit this stage is essential for your fluff to set properly and avoid ending up too runny or sticky.

How do you keep marshmallows soft and fresh? ›

To keep marshmallows fresh, set the opened marshmallows in a container with a tight-fitting lid or in a freezer-safe, Ziploc plastic bag. Avoid packing too many marshmallows into the container or bag because it will squish them together. Seal the container or bag securely. Then store the bag in the freezer.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 6655

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.