Marshmallow Frosting Recipe
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Marshmallow frosting is the crowning touch for any cupcake or layer cake. Billowy and light, marshmallow frosting is always a favorite.
This frosting is delicious on top of my favorite chocolate cake, my white cake, and even my yellow cake. I love to add a sprinkle of coconut flakes on top of cupcakes, like in the picture, for Easter, showers, and other special treats, too. It is also fun to use a kitchen torch to lightly toast the edges of the frosting for gorgeous treat!
How to Make Marshmallow Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
For this frosting, you’ll need egg whites at room temperature, granulated sugar, cream of tartar, salt, and vanilla extract.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Pour about 1/2 cup of water into a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
- Add the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt to the bowl of an electric mixer. Whisk with a hand-held whisk until the ingredients begin to become foamy.
- Place the mixing bowl over the saucepan of simmering water and continue to whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved about 5 minutes.
- Carefully remove the bowl from the saucepan and transfer it to a stand mixer with the whisk attachment attached. Turn the mixer to a medium setting and whip for about 1 minute. Increase the speed to high and whip until stiff peaks are formed, about 5-7 minutes. Reduce speed and incorporate the vanilla extract.
Here’s the recipe for my Marshmallow Frosting. I hope you love it, too!
Marshmallow Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 (280 g) egg whites, room temperature
- 2 1/4 cups (446 g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon (1.5 g) cream of tartar
- pinch (0.4 g) kosher salt
- 3 teaspoons (14 g) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pour about 1/2 cup of water into a medium-sized saucepan and bring to a simmer.
- Add egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt to the bowl of an electric mixer. Whisk with hand-held whisk until the ingredients begin to become foamy.
- Place the bowl over the saucepan of simmering water and continue to whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the bowl from the saucepan and transfer to a stand mixer with the whisk attachment attached. Turn mixer to medium setting and whip for about 1 minute. Increase the speed to high and whip until stiff peaks are formed, about 5-7 minutes. Reduce speed and incorporate vanilla.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Could you possibly toast the marshmallow topping with a torch?
Absolutely! They’ll be gorgeous!
Yes you can!
Yummy! This reminds me of Swiss Meringue Buttercream without the butter added in. I always lick the paddles after I’m done beating my egg whites. I’ll have to try this next time!
hey Robyn,
Do
Hey Robyn, Can I just use the electric mixer to beat the egg whites and sugar until they form peaks instead of boiling water over them? Also, being diabetic, I would like to know what else I can use besides sugar.
I love this icing, and have not made in in forever…I always called it 7 minute frosting….it is so good!
My daughter has asked for this now to top her birthday cupcakes. . I’ll keep you posted!!! this looks fabulous!!!
Robyn, thank you for he Marsmallow Frosting recipe have wanted it for years, Heard about it but couldn’t find it, until now. Thanks again.
I haven’t made this in a really long time, and it’s a shame because it is so good!!! I really enjoy it on chocolate cake. Thank you for reminding me of this recipe. 🙂
Robin, I am confused! Do I put the water from step one in with the egg whiite?
Hi Brenda,
Sorry for any confusion. You are heating the egg white mixture to fully dissolve the sugar, then you are whipping until nice, fluffy, gorgeous peaks are formed. I hope that helps! Let me know if any more questions! xo
In the recipe do you mean add the vanilla to the bowl – not the water?
Hi Linda,
You’ll incorporate the vanilla at the very end when making the frosting.
Thank you! Will try this for the weekend cake.
Robyn,
My sister-in-law loves marshmallows and her birthday is coming up soon, so i have to make her a cake with this frosting.
Annamaria