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Think homemade chocolate marshmallows are too hard? Think again! This is a strawberry marshmallow recipe and chocolate marshmallow recipe all in one!

Chocolate and Strawberry Marshmallows

Happy Friday, guys! I can’t even believe how fast these weeks have been going – I’d like to say I’m glad, since I can’t WAIT for summer, but life goes fast enough that I am doing my best to enjoy every day, ice and snow included.

Although winter usually means I spend most of my nights with slippers donned and only my eyes peeking out of the cozy cocoon of an afghan, I’m proud to say I have still been dragging myself out of the house some evenings. Earlier this week I met some friends for dinner at a new restaurant downtown, and it was so nice to get out and socialize. The cuisine was Indian, and while the food was tasty, it was cooooold! Total bummer. The server offered to reheat it, but since we were starving and had already waited quite a while, we ended up just eating it cold. Boo!

The restaurant did gift us with some chai and dessert as an apology, and although it was delicious (and warm), I still came home and treated myself to some of these homemade chocolate marshmallows.

chocolate and strawberry marshmallows

How do you make homemade chocolate and strawberry marshmallows!?

Have you ever tried your hand at homemade marshmallows?! I have always been intrigued by the idea but didn’t take the plunge until recently, when I started experimenting with different ingredients and flavour combos. Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, chocolate and strawberry seemed like the perfect place to start!

I tried one batch using honey, and although it worked, I largely favoured the batch with corn syrup. I try to use mostly natural sweeteners in the kitchen, but I’m ok with sacrificing this every so often for the sake of perfect texture, taste and consistency. The corn syrup makes a marshmallow that is much more like the store-bought kind we’re used to; I found the honey marshmallows to be much too sticky!

The remaining marshmallow ingredients are pretty basic; sugar, water, salt and gelatin. I used a simple strawberry puree for the strawberry flavour and colour, and a touch of cocoa powder for the chocolate flavour.

Once everything is all warmed up and combined together, you will need to whip the mixture for 15-20 minutes; I have only used a stand mixer, so I can’t speak to how effective a handheld mixer would be. I would personally get exhausted from holding a hand mixer on medium-high for that long! Once the marshmallow mixture becomes very thick, pour it into a 9×13 pan lined with plastic wrap and sprayed with non-stick spray. Work quickly to spread it out, as the marshmallows begin to harden quite quickly!

How long does it take to make homemade chocolate marshmallows?

As you can see – homemade marshmallows are SO quick to whip up, but you will have to hold back from cutting and tasting them for 8-12 hours…it’s a little painful. Sorry. 

After dusting the marshmallows with a corn starch/icing sugar mixture, they’re ready to cut. I found the easiest way to cut the marshmallows was to use a pizza cutter – I started with a knife but it gummed up fairly quickly! If you’re cutting your marshmallows into cute shapes, keep your cutter dusted with the powdered mixture. You’ll have some excess scraps if you choose to make shapes, but the scraps are just as delicious!

How long do homemade marshmallows keep?

The marshmallows will keep for a few weeks in an airtight container (if they last that long). Eat them just the way they are, use them in smores, rice krispie treats, or our favourite – in hot chocolate!

We’ve been loving this hot chocolate recipe from my pal Dawn!

So – did I inspire you to make some marshmallows of your own? I plan to gift some of these cute little hearts to some friends for our upcoming group Valentine’s Day dinner party – don’t you think it would be such a fun party favour to receive? 

Chocolate and Strawberry Marshmallows

Other cute Valentine’s Day dessert ideas:

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homemade chocolate marshmallows

Homemade Chocolate and Strawberry Marshmallows


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  • Author: Katherine
  • Total Time: 10 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 16 cups 1x

Description

Skip store-bought and make your own marshmallows! This easy recipe shows you how to make strawberry and chocolate marshmallows using only a few ingredients. The perfect gift for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day!


Ingredients

Scale

Strawberry Marshmallows

  • 1/2 cup strawberry puree (see notes)*
  • 3 packages (3 tbsp) gelatin powder
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup clear corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Chocolate Marshmallows

  • 1 cup water, divided
  • 3 packages (3 tbsp) gelatin powder
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup clear corn syrup
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Dusting Powder

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tbsp corn starch

Instructions

  1. Line a 9×13 pan with plastic wrap, and spray it with non-stick spray. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the pan.
  2. Pour the strawberry puree (or 1/2 cup water for chocolate) into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and sprinkle the gelatin over the entire surface. Allow this mixture to sit untouched while preparing the remaining ingredients.
  3. In a medium saucepan, stir together the sugar, corn syrup, water and salt. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring every minute. When the mixture begins to form large bubbles, immediately remove it from heat and pour it over the puree/water and gelatin in the stand mixer, with the mixer running on low. Turn the mixer up to medium-high and allow it to run for 15-20 minutes, or until the marshmallow mixture has become very thick.
    • If making chocolate marshmallows, add the cocoa powder and vanilla extract and whip together until combined.
  4. Moving quickly, use a spatula to scrape the mixture into the sprayed pan and smooth it out evenly as best as possible. Allow the marshmallows to sit, untouched and uncovered for 8-12 hours.
  5. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and corn starch to create the “dusting powder”. When ready to cut the marshmallows, grab the ends of the plastic wrap to lift the marshmallows out of the pan and flip them onto a large cutting board that has been sprinkled with dusting powder.
  6. Using a pizza cutter or large knife dipped into the dusting powder, cut the marshmallows into the size you desire. Frequently dust the cutter/knife to keep it running smoothly. Place the cut marshmallow pieces into the dusting powder, shake off the excess and store. If using a cookie cutter, be sure to keep the cutter dusted to prevent it from gumming up.

Marshmallows will keep in an airtight container for 3-4 weeks.

Notes

  1. The strawberry puree is simply 1 cup of strawberries pureed with 1 tbsp of water in the blender; frozen can also be used. Measure out 1/2 cup.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: desserts
  • Method: stove
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chocolate and strawberry marshmallows

 

 

Homemade Chocolate and Strawberry Marshmallows

About Katherine

Heeey! Thank you for stopping by! I like 30-minute dinners and giant peanut butter cups made with only 3 ingredients. I LOVE food! If you do too, you're in the right place.

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31 Comments

  1. You’ve made marshmallow making so easy Kathy, I’ve never had the courage to try making them at home.The strawberry ones are my favorite – so fluffy, light and cuteness overload. Such a perfect Valentines treat!!

    1. It really is so easy, Maria!! You’ve got to try! Thank you so much – I think they’d be such a great Valentine’s treat!! 🙂

  2. I had to laugh at the image of you peeking out of an afghan during winter months – I relate. I have a fuzzy gray blanket that Keith has named my ‘Chewbacca blankie’ because I drag it around everywhere, lol. I digress…

    I love to make homemade marshmallows – they are so far beyond anything you can buy in the store. But I’ve never flavored them and these look darling and super delicious. You have me wanting to whip up a batch for Valentine’s day!

    1. Haha – Chewbacca sounds very cozy and comforting!! You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to stay warm!!! I can’t believe it took me so long to try making my own marshmallows! Way better than store bought!! Hope you had a great weekend Marissa! XO

  3. Okay, I’m going to have to make my own marshmallow soon, and I’m going to start with these! They are so adorable and you make it sound easy. As much as I like the store bought ones, I bet the homemade ones are going to taste so much better! Pinning.

    1. Hooray! I hope you love them. You will never go back! I promise it’s super easy – the hard part is waiting around for them to set!! Cheers, Thao!

  4. These marshmallows are adorable! Though I have never made them, you’ve given me all the inspiration I need! Too cute!

  5. These are perfect for Valentine’s Day (and for when your dinner out was less than stellar—boo!). I made marshmallows for s’mores and took them to a neighborhood gathering—everyone was shocked that you could actually make them at home. But that was a decade ago—maybe it’s time for another batch??

    1. It is kind of shocking if you’ve never thought of making your own!! But they’re totally simple – we should all do it!! I think it’s time for you to have another go at it 😉 Thank you Liz!!!