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Best Cotton Candy Marshmallows Recipe - Homemade & Easy to Make

Bring the magic of the carnival home with these soft, fluffy Cotton Candy Marshmallows—sweet, nostalgic, and easier to make than you think!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 24 pieces
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 packets 21g each unflavored gelatin
  • 1 cup cold water divided
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cotton candy flavoring or syrup
  • Powdered sugar for dusting
  • Cornstarch for dusting (optional)

Method
 

  1. In a bowl, sprinkle gelatin over ½ cup cold water and let bloom for 10 minutes.
  2. In a saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, salt, and remaining ½ cup water. Heat until sugar dissolves, then boil to 240°F (115°C).
  3. Slowly pour hot syrup into gelatin while mixing on low speed.
  4. Increase mixer speed to high and whip 8–10 minutes until thick and fluffy. Add vanilla and cotton candy flavoring in the last minute.
  5. Grease a 9×13-inch pan and dust with powdered sugar. Spread marshmallow mixture evenly and let set 4 hours or overnight.
  6. Dust a knife with powdered sugar, cut marshmallows into squares, and coat each piece with powdered sugar or cornstarch.

Notes

For vegan marshmallows, use 1 tbsp agar-agar dissolved in water instead of gelatin. Add natural color with beet powder or mix in freeze-dried fruit powder for flavor variety.