These Valentine's Day Marshmallows are a super simple and easy way to celebrate the holiday full of love. The homemade treats are pillowy soft, loaded with Valentine's Day sprinkles, and have a subtle vanilla flavor.
Homemade marshmallows are about to become your new favorite obsession, just in time for Valentine's Day. Marshmallows are one of those treats that can easily be bought in a store, so you must be thinking, why would I make them from scratch? Once you have a bite of a homemade marshmallow, you'll understand why and never want a store-bought marshmallow again.
Homemade marshmallows are surprisingly easy to make. The hardest part about making the marshmallows is being patient. The sugar has to get to just the right temperature to achieve that gooey texture, so it's a lot of waiting around and checking a thermometer. Then, the marshmallows have to sit overnight to form, so it's more waiting around for them to be ready. After one bite, you'll see that it was worth the wait.
I love to use my classic homemade marshmallows and dress them up for an occasion. Because marshmallows have a simple flavor, you can easily change that by adding chocolate or flavored extracts. I also like to add sprinkles for holidays, and these Valentine's Day marshmallows show off just that. To get the sprinkles in the marshmallows, I add them in when the marshmallows are just about done whipping in the stand mixer. I also like to sprinkle some on top for an even more decorative look.
Looking for more Valentine's Day treats to make? Try my Valentine's Day cake pops or Valentine's Day lava cookies.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Holiday Mix-Ins - The seasonal sprinkles easily turn the marshmallows into a Valentine's Day treat.
- Simple - You'll be very surprised how easy it is to whip up a batch of homemade marshmallows.
- Homemade Treat - Homemade marshmallows knock storebought marshmallows out of the park in both texture and flavor.
Ingreidents Needed For Valentine's Day Marshmallows
- Valentine's Day Sprinkles - If you don't have themed sprinkles, red and pink sprinkles will work just as well.
- Gelatin - Make sure to use unflavored gelatin packets.
- Corn Syrup - The base for the marshmallows.
- Granulated Sugar - The sugar dissolves and heats to make a soft ball.
- Powdered Sugar - Powdered sugar will be your best friend. The powdered sugar acts like grease and takes out the stickiness of the marshmallows.
Directions For How To Make Valentine's Day Marshmallows
- Prepare Gelatin.
Combine the gelatin and ½ cup of water in the bowl of a stand mixer. Slightly mix to combine and set to the side.
- Heat Sugar.
In a deep saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and ½ cup cooled water. Cook the mixture over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Cook Sugar.
Turn the mixture to high and continue to heat the sugar until it reaches 240 degrees.
- Combine.
When the sugar reaches 240 degrees, remove it from the heat. Slowly add it to the prepared gelatin mixture while the mixture beats on low. When all of the sugar is in the bowl, increase the speed and continue to whip the mixture for 3-10 minutes. The mixture should be cool when done.
- Add Sprinkles and Vanilla.
When the mixture is just about ready, mix in the vanilla and the sprinkles.
- Spread out the marshmallows.
Prepare a 9x13-inch pan with grease or a generous layer of powdered sugar. Then, use a greased rubber spatula to spread the marshmallow mixture into the pan.
- Add more sprinkles.
Top the marshmallow mixture with more sprinkles if desired.
- Top with powdered sugar.
Top the marshmallow mixture with a generous layer of powdered sugar. Then, place the marshmallows in the refrigerator and allow them to chill for 12 hours or overnight.
Serving Suggestions
You can use homemade marshmallows just like store-bought marshmallows. They can be eaten on their own, placed in hot chocolate, or covered in chocolate. You can even break them up and bake them into cookies or top ice cream with them.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: You can easily make Valentine's Day marshmallows ahead of time. Store the extras in an airtight container for 1-2 days before use.
- To Store: Store extra marshmallows in an airtight container. The marshmallows will last about 2-3 weeks if stored properly.
- To Freeze: Marshmallows surprisingly freeze very well. Store them in an airtight container or plastic bag for 2-3 months. Use them just like you would fresh. They may need a minute or two to defrost once out of the freezer.
Tips and Variations
- Powdered Sugar - Powdered sugar will be your best friend when making marshmallows. The sugar keeps everything from sticking together. After you cut the marshmallows, roll them in powdered sugar to keep the edges from sticking to everything.
- Cutting the Marshmallows - When it comes time to cut the marshmallows, grease your knife. This will allow for a smooth cut in the marshmallows without sticking to the knife.
- Mix-ins - If you want to flavor the marshmallows, feel free to add in different extracts or mix-ins. Just be aware that a small amount of extract adds in a large amount of flavor.
Valentine's Day Marshmallows
Equipment
- Sauce pan
- Candy thermometoer
- rubber spatula
- mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons
- 9x13-inch pan
Ingredients
- 3 packages (21 g) unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup cool water, divided
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup corn syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- powdered sugar
- Valentine's Day Sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare a 9x13 dish with grease and set aside.
- In a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl, bloom the gelatin. Add the gelatin with ½ cup of water and stir until combined.
- In a deep saucepan, combine the remaining water, sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Mix on a medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.
- Once the mixture is combined, turn the heat up to medium-high. Let the sugar mixture cook undisturbed until the temperature reaches 240°F. Resist the urge to stir the mixture at any point.
- Next, add the sugar mixture to the gelatin. You will want to do this slowly. With the stand mixer on low or with the hand mixture ready to go, add the sugar mixture. Slowly begin beating the mixture. Once the mixture is fully in the bowl, increase the speed. The mixture will look a little pale in color, but that's good. Whip the mixture until it is very fluffy and white in color. This will take anywhere from 7-12 minutes, depending on the speed of your mixer.
- Mix in the vanilla and half of the sprinkles.
- Once the mixture is super fluffy and cool, spread it into the prepared dish. Once in the pan, top with the remaining sprinkles and cover with powdered sugar.
- Place the marshmallow mixture in the refrigerator and allow it to sit for 12 hours or overnight
- The marshmallows should spring back when they are ready. Grease a knife or use a cold knife to cut the marshmallows. Roll in powdered sugar to reduce the stickiness of the marshmallow edges.
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