This homemade marshmallow fluff is sticky, sweet and perfect for topping or filling desserts! Made with 6 pantry ingredients, a hint of vanilla and 20 minutes of hands-on time.

Fluffy homemade marshmallow fluff with soft peaks in a glass jar served with graham crackers for dipping.

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Jamielyn Nye

Homemade Marshmallow Fluff is So Much Better than Store-Bought

Marshmallow fluff, also called marshmallow creme or marshmallow cream, is a smooth, spreadable confection with the same sweet vanilla flavor as marshmallows but a lighter, silkier texture. And it’s surprisingly easy to make from scratch.

With only 6 pantry ingredients and about 20 minutes, this homemade marshmallow fluff comes out sticky, sweet and miles better than the jarred stuff. Use it in everything from rice krispie treats to strawberry fruit dip, or spread it on bread with peanut butter for a classic fluffernutter sandwich.

The next time you run out of marshmallow crème for frozen s’mores, skip the store and make your own, you may end up eating it by the spoonful.

XO - Jamielyn

Why This Recipe Works

  • Better flavor than store-bought: Homemade marshmallow fluff has a clean vanilla taste without the artificial aftertaste of the jarred kind.
  • No artificial ingredients: Just egg whites, sugar, corn syrup, water, cream of tartar and vanilla. No preservatives or stabilizers like the store-bought jar.
  • Versatile: Use it as a base for marshmallow frosting, spread it on cupcakes, dip fruit in it, or dollop it on hot chocolate.
  • Beginner-friendly: If you can boil sugar and whip egg whites, you can make this. A candy thermometer takes the guesswork out of it.

Marshmallow Fluff Ingredients

Ingredients for marshmallow fluff on the counter including egg whites, light corn syrup, sugar, cream of tartar, vanilla and water.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Egg whites: Ensure they are at room temperature for the best volume.
  • Cream of tartar: Helps stabilize the egg whites and gives them more volume.
  • Light karo syrup: Adds to the fluffiness and texture of the marshmallow cream. Dark corn syrup would add to strong of flavor.
  • Granulated sugar and vanilla: Adds flavor to the fluff.
  • Water: Will help it obtain the perfect consistency.

How to Make Homemade Marshmallow Fluff

Place the egg whites and cream of tartar in a large mixing bowl. You can use either a hand mixer with the beater attachment or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, both work well.

Egg whites and cream of tartar in a mixing bowl before whipping.

In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it boils. Attach a candy thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature.

Sugar, corn syrup and water boiling in a saucepan with a candy thermometer.

As the sugar syrup cooks, start whipping the egg whites until foamy.

Foamy egg whites whipped in a glass mixing bowl for marshmallow fluff.

Once sugar mixture reaches the right temperature, drizzle it into egg whites, continuing to whip. Beat on high speed until the mixture doubles in size and soft peaks form. Add vanilla and beat for an additional minute.

Marshmallow fluff with soft peaks on a whisk attachment.

Recipe Tips

  • I recommend using a candy thermometer to make marshmallow fluff as it takes the guesswork out of getting the right temperature which is the key to success here!
  • Add the hot sugar mixture very slowly to the egg whites to avoid cooking them.
  • Grease or even a speck of egg yolk can prevent your egg whites from whipping up into a meringue consistency. Try wiping your equipment with lemon juice first then whipping your egg whites.
  • If it the fluff goes flat, you can either re-whip it by hand or add it back to the mixer and whip again.

Using Marshmallow Creme

Spoon in a jar of homemade marshmallow fluff with graham crackers on the side.

More desserts to make with homemade marshmallow creme include s’mores popcorn, s’mores cookies and mini s’mores cups.

More Dessert Recipes

Homemade marshmallow fluff piled high in a glass jar surrounded by graham crackers.

Homemade Marshmallow Fluff

5 from 8 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Let set: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 36
Homemade marshmallow fluff with a hint of vanilla, perfect for dipping, spreading, frosting or using in any recipe that calls for store-bought fluff.
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Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 3 egg whites , room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon cream of tarter
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup light karo syrup
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • In a large bowl of an electric mixer add 3 egg whites and 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar. Add the beater attachment and plug in the mixer so it’s ready to go. 
  • In a medium saucepan, combine 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup karo syrup and 1/3 cup water over medium heat. Bring to a boil and stir constantly. Clip a candy thermometer to the pan. 
  • While the sugar mixture is cooking, start whipping the egg whites in the mixing bowl until they become foamy.
  • Once the candy mixture reaches 240°F, drizzle the mixture SLOWLY into the bowl with the egg whites. Scrape down the sides and then beat on high speed until the the mixture has doubled and a soft peak forms (about 5 minutes). When mixture becomes fluffy and shiny you know it's ready. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and beat an additional minute.
  • Store in a covered container at room temperature for 2 weeks. Serve as a topping on top of desserts or use as a replacement for jarred marshmallow fluff in baked goods.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Storage: Store in a mason jar at room temperature for up to 4 weeks. Do not freeze, it separates upon thawing.
S’mores bites: Leftover fluff? Spread between 2 pieces of graham crackers and them dip in melted chocolate. Makes the ultimate gooey s’mores bite.

Nutrition

Calories: 97kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 9mg, Potassium: 10mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 22g, Calcium: 2mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.