This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Think homemade chocolate marshmallows are too hard? Think again! This is a strawberry marshmallow recipe and chocolate marshmallow recipe all in one!
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.
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? ♥♥
Other cute Valentine’s Day dessert ideas:
Print
Homemade Chocolate and Strawberry Marshmallows
- 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
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
- Line a 9×13 pan with plastic wrap, and spray it with non-stick spray. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the pan.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
Agree completely ! Nothing better than chocolate and and marshmallows to heal 🙂
They’re pretty comforting!! 🙂 Thank you!!
Homemade marshmallows are about 10 billion times better than the store-bought kind. And they’re so much fun to make aren’t they? I love the little heart shapes; I made something similar last year but I used jam to flavor them. I like the idea to use fruit puree better. Have a great weekend and stay warm!
They’re soooo much better! I can’t believe how long it took me to discover this! Jam is also a great idea – an easy way to pick a multitude of flavours! Thanks Kelsie – hope you had a wonderful weekend!
It was a bummer about your meal! We don’t go out too often, but when we do we look forward to it and it’s so disappointing when something like that happens 🙁 I’ve never in my life made marshmallows, but I can imagine that they’re SO much better than anything you could buy in a store. Plus, these are heart shaped so automatically they are the cutest 🙂 Pinning and going to give them a try…though, it will be difficult to wait for them to set up 😉 Thanks a million for the hot chocolate shout out! So happy that you enjoy it!!! Hugs! Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm! XO
It’s such a bummer, isn’t it!? I also sooo look forward to going out to eat, it’s fairly rare for me these days so ya – boo! You’ve GOT to try the marshmallows, Dawn! You’ll never go back. It is very tough to wait for them to set – I kept poking them haha just waaaaaiting!! We love your hot chocolate! Hope you had a great weekend too my friend!
Oh my gosh, these are the cutest! Such a great idea for Valentine’s Day treats instead gifting store bought chocolate. Love the pairing with hot chocolate! Perfect for cold evenings cozied up by the fire!
Thank you Leanne!! I think it would be so cute to give someone a hot chocolate mix with the homemade marshmallows for a gift!! Definitely perfect for those cold Canadian nights 😉
I’ve always been afraid to try homemade marshmallows but these look totally doable. Thanks for sharing!
I know what you mean – they seem so intimidating!! I promise they’re super easy though – you’ll have to try it! Thank you Lisa!
Ugggh, it irks me when food that’s supposed to be hot comes served cold. But those marshmallows look so yummy! Homemade is always better… And what a great idea using the heart cookie cutter to cut them out. i could use some in my hot chocolate right about now! 🙂
Aaah right?? Looking back, we totally should have just sent it back! THANK YOU! They’re so good in hot chocolate 🙂
Homemade marshmallows are sooooooo good and yours are beautiful! I can’t wait for summer but I try and enjoy the snow.
Thank you Patrick!! I can’t believe I took so long to try making some. I don’t mind the snow too much – just the cold! Winter is just too darn long!
Katherine, these are the cutest marshmallows…I have never made them before, I always thought that it was too difficult. But these look amazing, I have got to give it a try 🙂
You definitely have to give it a try, Ashika!! I was intimidated to make them too, but they’re super easy! Only the waiting is hard 🙂 Thank you my friend!
I recently discovered how easy it is to make marshmallows and now I’m obsessed! Your marshmallows look so light and fluffy! I just want to eat them all 🙂 XOXO
I saw your recent marshmallow recipe and they look so good!! So fluffy!! I am obsessed with them too – I can’t wait for summer when I can use them for smores! Cheers, Kelly!!
Cold food is a major bummer…I hate when that happens! I totally agree with you…I use natural sweeteners as much as possible but marshmallows are better with corn syrup. It doesn’t hurt every now and then right? These are so cute and I love that you got both chocolate AND strawberry flavors in these!
Such a bummer! I really should have sent it back – ah well! I’m glad you agree – every once in a while has to be ok! Thank you so much – I love to mix and match the flavours in a hot chocolate 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend!