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Cotton Candy Marshmallows

These Cotton Candy Marshmallows are dreamy, fluffy clouds of pastel sweetness! With a nostalgic cotton candy flavor and an easy step-by-step process, they’re the perfect homemade treat for parties, gifting, or just indulging your inner child. Make them once and you’ll never want store-bought marshmallows again!
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Equipment

  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Candy thermometer
  • Medium saucepan
  • Rubber spatula
  • 8x8 or 9x9-inch baking pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Sifter or fine mesh sieve

Ingredients
  

  • 3 packets unflavored gelatin about 21g
  • 1/2 cup cold water for blooming gelatin
  • 3/4 cup water for syrup
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cotton candy extract
  • Food coloring pink, blue, yellow – optional
  • Powdered sugar for dusting
  • Cornstarch for dusting

Instructions
 

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, pour 1/2 cup cold water and sprinkle gelatin over it. Let it bloom for about 10 minutes.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine 3/4 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir to dissolve, then stop stirring. Attach a candy thermometer and cook until the syrup reaches 240°F (soft-ball stage).
  • Turn the mixer to low speed and carefully pour the hot syrup into the bloomed gelatin. Once combined, increase the mixer to high speed and beat for 10–12 minutes, until the mixture is thick, glossy, and tripled in volume.
  • Add cotton candy extract and your desired food coloring. Gently swirl the colors into the mixture to create a marbled effect if you like.
  • Grease and dust your baking pan with a mix of powdered sugar and cornstarch. Pour the marshmallow mixture into the pan, smooth the top with a greased spatula, and let sit uncovered for 4–6 hours or overnight.
  • Once set, dust a clean surface with the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture. Turn the marshmallows out of the pan, cut into squares, and coat each piece fully.

Notes

For best results, use gel food coloring to maintain a fluffy texture without adding extra liquid.
You can substitute cotton candy extract with strawberry or bubblegum for a fun twist.
Marshmallows will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Avoid refrigeration—it makes them sticky.
These marshmallows make adorable party favors, edible gifts, or hot cocoa toppers.
Want to jazz them up? Add pastel sprinkles before the mixture sets for extra flair!