I’ve been waiting for this day for WEEKS.
I like to think I’m good at following my own rule on how often to post sweets on the blog. That said, I have been blogging for well over a year (though not consistently until December hit) and I only have a very small handful of desserts posted and most of them need to be updated with new photos badly.
So last week I posted blueberry mascarpone pie and today, I’m sharing homemade marshmallow sauce! I can’t promise I won’t post something sweet next week. Just be sure to balance out all the delicious sweetness with something healthy and we’ll all be okay. It’s all about moderation or whatever.
So anyway, yeah. Marshmallow sauce. HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOW SAUCE! CAPSLOCK. I made this four different times over the last two and a half months with various results, with the last attempt being the best version yet and I’m so glad to be sharing it with you today. <3
I don’t remember exactly what possessed me to go on this marshmallow adventure; I think I might have wanted a fluffernutter, but I almost never have marshmallow fluff in the house. I know, that’s pretty much a crime, but you may or may not remember I have a huge sweet tooth and I would probably destroy my teeth if I kept fluff in the house all the time (or anything sweet for that matter). It’s a problem. That said, I really love fluff. I also really, and I mean really, love s’mores. I think I’ll have to make a s’mores dessert next actually…
Once I decided it was time to look into making my own version of delicious, lovable fluff, I went to google, as one does, to do some research. And I noticed that the recipes I was finding included a combination of corn syrup and sugar in them. I almost never keep corn syrup in the house and I really didn’t want to make an exception for this recipe, so I decided I would experiment…four times, apparently. Here’s how it went down:
Version 1: The Honeying
Okay, so some of these recipes were calling for either mostly corn syrup and some sugar, or half of each. I thought I would tinker with ratios and use a combination of sugar with whatever liquid sweetener I grabbed from the pantry. I had honey, agave, and maple syrup to choose from and I thought, “honey could be fun and different and interesting!” I think I went with a cup of sugar and third cup of honey (water was also used to make a simple syrup with the sugar).
The result? That honey taste was just too strong for a marshmallow sauce; it completely took over. It didn’t taste terrible, but I’d say it was…tolerable? Now, I love honey, but it can be overpowering and that’s pretty much what happened here. Jay and I still used some of it up before tossing the rest (I ended up making that fluffernutter and it was quite good, actually), but the honey just didn’t work for this.
Version 2: Crystallized
So instead of tinkering more with sugar/honey ratios or looking at alternate liquid syrups, I decided I was gonna go all sugar because I didn’t want to risk wasting ingredients on a similar attempt. I upped the amount of sugar to one and a half cups (just try not to think about how much sugar will end up in this recipe <3) and went with a really small amount of water: 1/4 cup + one tablespoon – because my goal was to make a really thick syrup. I brought the two to a boil and stirred, stirred, stirred until the sugar mostly looked dissolved and removed it from the heat. Within a couple of minutes, a hard shell was forming at the top of the syrup, but I thought, “It’ll be fine once it mixes in with the egg whites.” and I stirred it again like a crazy woman, thinking that will prevent a hard shell from forming again and went forward with making the marshmallow sauce. It looked thick and beautiful; I was ecstatic that I “nailed it” on my second attempt. I gave it a quick taste and it seemed fine, so I called Jason in to test and he came in a few minutes later and his immediate response to the taste-test was, “you can feel the sugar.” I gave it another taste and he was right. Minutes prior, it didn’t have a crystallized texture, so I knew this version was a bust. The taste I was looking for was very much there though, so I wasn’t ready to give up.
Version 3: Powdered No-No
I still have so much to learn when it comes to cooking and that’s especially true for baking and the like. I have recipes for some sweet goods I’m pretty proud of, but outside of those, I consider myself a bit of a noob. So when the sugar syrup failed in my last attempt, I thought the next step would be to try using powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar. Why? I don’t know. But I was certain the third attempt would be the final one. The marshmallow sauce basically went from the mixing bowl to the garbage. I used the same amount of sugar and water as I had in version 2, but something about the syrup wasn’t right and I couldn’t put my finger on it. But the taste wasn’t where I wanted it to be either, so I knew I had to go back to work with version 2 and make it much smoother.
Version 4: “Spot On”
Surprisingly, I wasn’t feeling discouraged just yet, because I was so sure I could make this marshmallow sauce without the use of corn syrup. I had to go to the store to buy more sugar. I usually only buy sugar around the holidays.
I sat down and did some math that seemed to make sense in my head on how to make a thicker simple syrup; I was convinced a 1:1 sugar/water ratio would not do the trick because it would still be too watery, but that measly little 1/4 cup from version 2 was just too little, so I played with the idea of 1/2 a cup, 3/4, of a cup, and the one I ended up going with, 2/3 of a cup. And that was the magic number.
I made the syrup and I set it aside to cool for a couple minutes. Came back to it and it was still syrup, not this crystallized shell-forming sugar thing. I was ecstatic! I went ahead with making the marshmallow sauce, tasted it, danced, tasted it again, and called Jay in to try it too. He had a small spoonful, closed his eyes, nodded, and quietly said “spot on.” Hell to the YES.
And now that I’ve gone into detail about how each version went, here’s a quick rundown on how to make the marshmallow sauce!
You’ll need two egg whites and you’ll want those eggs to come to room temperature before you start making the marshmallow sauce. I took my eggs out of the fridge an hour beforehand, but you can also stick the eggs in a bowl of very warm (not hot!) water for five to ten minutes. The trick to beating egg whites successfully is starting at a slow speed and gradually increase it to high. Check out this link for more tips on beating egg whites and while you’re at it, check out this link from The Kitchn on what to do with leftover egg yolks.
You want to start off beating the egg whites on low for a couple of minutes until they look foamy (pictured below), then increase the speed to medium until soft peaks form (also pictured below). You’ll know when you have soft peaks because 1.) it’ll look like the photo and 2. if you detach the mixing bowl and tilt it to its side, the egg whites will stay put.
Once soft peaks form, you slowly add in the warm syrup. I added mine in about two tablespoons at a time and once half the syrup was added in, I slowly poured in the rest. Don’t rush pouring it in all at once! Egg whites are sensitive.
Lastly, you increase the speed to medium-high and just let it go for a good five minutes. Be sure to set yourself a timer. The marshmallow sauce will double in volume and turn into a semi-stiff, glossy, fluffy, beautiful thing. I didn’t think to take a final photo of the marshmallow sauce in the mixer before moving it to a container, but I did take a short video (posted below) and you can see the fluffiness by clicking on it (if it doesn’t start playing automatically anyway, but don’t worry, you won’t hear any annoying audio unless you select the option to)!
You’ll want to store the marshmallow sauce in an airtight container and it should keep for up to two weeks in the fridge. Now, go make this and tell me how you liked it! <3
Update: The Separation
It’s important to note that separation will probably occur. The simple syrup will start to settle at the bottom of the container after a few days. This is totally normal! Remember, you’re working with natural ingredients, so it’s inevitable separation would end up being a thing. When I first posted this recipe, my suggest was to give it a good stir or whip it up again in the mixer, but I actually recommend just doing the latter. It takes a few minutes for a sauce to form again, so stirring by hand would be exhausting! Add the marshmallow and syrup to the bowl of your stand mixer with the whip attachment and set it to medium-high for five to six minutes. You’ll see it turn into a glossy, thick, creamy sauce again and it will create volume a bit as well. It more than likely won’t be as fluffy at that point, but placing it back in the fridge will bring that fluffiness back!
Updated August 15th, 2015.
Homemade Marshmallow Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 eggs brought to room temperature*
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2/3 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
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In a medium saucepan, add in the sugar, water, and kosher salt and cook over medium heat; stirring occasionally (use a metal spoon) until the syrup is translucent and no visible granules of sugar can be seen when lifting the spoon out of the syrup. This takes about 4-5 minutes.
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Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla, and set aside to cool slightly.
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Crack those eggs and separate the egg whites into a small bowl (save those yolks for something else).
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Check for any shells in the whites, then transfer them to your stand mixer.
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Using the whipping attachment, beat the eggs on low speed until the eggs look foamy, about two minutes.
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Increase the speed to medium and continue to beat until soft peaks form (see image earlier in the post for an example. If you take the bowl, tip it to the side, and the whites stay put, you succeeded).
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Slowly add in the warm syrup starting with 1-2 tablespoons at a time. After you're half done, slowly pour the remaining syrup into the mixture.
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Increase the speed to medium-high and let it go for five minutes. Set a timer and grab yourself a drink! The marshmallow will turn into this fluffy deliciousness doubled in size.
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Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.*
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Take the eggs out of the fridge one hour before making the recipe. If you're pressed for time, stick the eggs in a bowl of very warm (not hot!) water for five to ten minutes.
Note 2: Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks in the fridge. Because you are working with natural ingredients, separation may occur. This is totally normal! See my update above the recipe on what to do when this happens.
Hi Marissa! I don’t use fluff a lot, but this certainly sounds MUCH better than the jarred stuff! All “real” ingredients and nothing I can’t pronounce! I don’t think many people take the time to read what is in the stuff they buy – if I don’t know what it is, I certainly don’t want to eat it! I’m choosey about what my dogs and cat eat!
I hear you there, Dorothy! I have a huge weakness when it comes to fluff and I admit I’ll dive into something with shady ingredients every once in a while (only to regret it later). I really try to limit the amount of funky foods like that and almost never keep them in the house.
Fluff is all real ingredients … read the jar
Hi again Marissa! I forgot to add that when I first saw the picture of this post my eyes immediately went to your caramelized bananas. How about a s’more with good, dark chocolate, your bananas and fluff? I’m game if you are! 🙂
Oh, now you’re talking! I may or may not end up making a dessert like this tonight…I’m toying with the idea of a s’mores pie at some point, but I’m loving this idea of the caramelized bananas! You are a genius! <3
I am trying to find a liquid fluff to put into drinks. Can this recipe work if I delute it some more.
Hi Dawn! To be honest, I’m not really sure. I’ve never attempted something like that and I can’t seem to find anything with a proper answer. Sorry I can’t be more help. If you end up trying something, please let me know how it goes!
Oh yum! I never knew how this was done and I love that you didn’t use corn syrup! I have already pinned this recipe to try with s’more like things for this fall! Thanks for sharing!
Yay, thanks J! I really try to limit my use of corn sugar and by that I mean, I never buy the stuff. Though there is a lot of sugar in this recipe, but I’m okay with it. 🙂 I hope you love it!
Woah. I’ve never even seen a recipe for something like this before! You’re a legend, wow Marissa! Thanks for sharing!
Oh Nagi, you are the most kind! I am no legend! Such a compliment, thank you! I am blushing over here. 😀
Wow Marissa! This is a super cool recipe. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Derek! 😀
I searched for a recipe for marshmallow sauce and all of them contained gelatin. BUT this recipe sounds so much better and healthier! THANK YOU FOR SHARING!
Yay! I’m so glad you found it, Avi. 😀 Thanks for swinging by and let me know how it turns out when you make it. I’d love to know!
OK..so YUMMO..this was delicious! I’m wondering if I could use this instead of Marshmallow Fluff that is called for in recipes, say a homemade Ding Dong filling recipe!? Thanks for posting this..who knew egg whites and sugar could taste so good!
Yay, I’m so glad! If you end up trying it out as a filling, let me know! I’m guessing it could work if you eat the desserts within a day because of the sauce separating after a while. I’ve been wanting to experiment using this in other desserts myself, but I keep putting it off like a goof.
Thank you Marissa for providing a recipe that does not contain corn syrup. Did you experiment with cream of tartar at all for this recipe?
You’re very welcome! 😀 I haven’t tried this with cream of tartar yet. I actually debated on it back when I was experimenting with this recipe until I realized what I had in my pantry was very, very old, so I tossed it and have yet to replace it! I need to remember to pick that up from the store sometime and try it out.
I am making divinity for Christmas and the recipe calls for marshmallow fluff. Do you think it will be ok? And I don’t have cream of tarter is that ok?
Hi Patti! I’ve never made divinity, but looking at various recipes for how it’s made, it seems pretty similar to the homemade sauce, so I’m thinking it should be okay. If you want to use store-bought to play it safe, that’s probably what I’d do. I’d hate to have you go through the trouble of making it only to have it separate in your dessert! Also, I don’t normally use cream of tartar when I make this.
Ok thank you Marissa..Have a Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you, too!
I was looking for something to put on top of brownies and found your recipie. Couldn’t be happier! I plan on putting it in the kids cocoa as well. Easy directions, great taste, and fast! Thank you!
Edit: it’s not letting me rate with stars, the link must be broken, but 5 STARS
Yay, yay, yay! So glad you loved the recipe. Thanks Jessica! <3
Perfect recipe! Thank you for your hard work and patience.
Thank you, Karla!
You might have learned this since this post, but when you’re working with a pure sugar syrup (just sugar and water) it really wants to crystallize, and many little things can cause it to do so… Stirring is one of them 🙂 once the sugar has melted and is bubbling, you don’t need to stir anymore. That’s why a lot of candy recipes call for part corn syrup, so there’s another form of sugar to get in between the glucose molecules and prevent them from crystallizing. I’m out of corn syrup though, and I’m really glad to find your all sugar recipe! Thanks! 🙂
This is super helpful information; thanks for sharing, Valerie! I hope the recipe worked out for you. 🙂
Used this in myfirst ever trifle and it was a succes! Mine wasn’twhite because I always use unrefined sugar but I don’t think it mattered for the taste. On top of the trifle I put a bit of extra and flamed it to give it that nice cooked marshmallowy flavour and it was delicious! This recipe is added to my book of recipes now :D, hope you don’t mind ;).
Can I put this on sweet potato in the oven to brown on top ?
A lot of the homemade marshmallow sauce recipes I come across cook the sugar – water mixture to 240f degrees for a thick liquid. Is it your plan to miss that step in the instructions?
Hello! I’m just asking if this recipe can be be converted to frosting since I’m limited with supplies in the pantry. Thank you.
P.S. You’re works look delicious! I can’t wait to try ’em!
Hi Kurt! Sorry for the delayed reply; it’s been a busy few weeks! I’ve never tried converting this to a frosting; the sauce itself naturally separates after a couple days, and I’m not sure how it would hold up mixed with other ingredients. It’s something I’ve been curious about trying myself! If you happen to beat me to it, let me know how it goes. 😀
Great recipe! Worked perfectly. Thank you!
Thanks, Sunanda!
Hello, Marissa:
Since this reply is well behind the post date, unsure if it it still being monitored.
I have followed the Bon Appetit recipe for years, actually before it was even featured back in 2011 due to pastry and candy making.
Although you may be aware by now, a temperature of 160 F is for French or Swiss meringue, but it not hot enough for an Italian meringue, which uses a temperature of 240 F and is really the base for marshmallow creme/fluff.
In the case of Italuan meringue, the temp negates the need for excessive sugar, higher heat stabilizes the whites, and eliminates separation, which comes from undercooking the syrup.
While sugar is subjective to taste, just as any food is, the standard ratio of sugar for a “hard meringue” is 4 TBSP ( ) per white with 2 TBSP water.
If you haven’t come across Shirley Corriher’s article on Fine Cooking, “How Fragile Egg Whites are Transformed into Firm, Airy Meringues,” is a good read, as well as one on Cook’s Illustrated and Serious Eats.
My own personal tip — dissolve the fine sugar in hot water first. Then, when cooking, slowly simmer –do not bring to a boil. This also prevents granulation or crystallizaion in the syrup.
This is even easier and quicker in the microwave vs the stovetop, but requires knowing how one’s microwave behaves.
If you decide to give this method a try, may you have fun with all the extra sugar you’ll have.
Hi Juju!
Thanks so much for sharing these tips; it’s insanely helpful. I still consider myself a novice when it comes to sweets and baking. I’ll have to experiment with this method soon!
I made whoopie pies with this and oh my goodness! This was perfect, my family loves it. Definitely a go-to for something sweet after dinner. Thank you for this amazingness!
Thank you for this wonderful recipe! it was very easy to make and tasted fantastic! Another brilliant addition to my recipe collection 😊
So glad you enjoyed it, Amina! Thanks for the kind words. <3