Marshmallow Frosting

This is an easy recipe for freshly whipped, homemade Marshmallow Frosting made from pillowy Swiss meringue flavored with a hint of vanilla. You’re going to love piping this delectable meringue frosting over all your favorite cupcakes and cakes!

Easy Marshmallow Meringue Frosting

This is a classic recipe for bright white, silky marshmallow frosting that I’ll come back to again and again. It’s ready in under 30 minutes and is just as perfect for piping onto Easter cupcakes as it is for decorating Christmas cakes. Easy, versatile, and show-stopping is the name of the game, here!

With a few minor tweaks, I’ve adapted my recipe for Swiss Meringue Buttercream into this lighter style of frosting that’s made with cream of tartar. I promise you’ll love whipping up batches of this pillowy meringue frosting. With a bit of vanilla added, it tastes just like a fluffy marshmallow! And especially when you lightly toast the top.

4 Ingredients Needed

This Swiss meringue-style frosting recipe keeps it super simple, with only 4 ingredients! Below is a quick overview, with the full details available in the recipe card further down. 

• Egg Whites – You’ll need only the whites from 4 large eggs. Egg whites whipped with sugar form the basis of your meringue frosting. (Hot tip: Use the 4 leftover yolks to make Homemade Cheesecake!)
• Granulated Sugar – I recommend using regular white, granulated sugar for dissolving into the egg whites.
• Cream of Tartar – Another key component to this fluffy marshmallow frosting. Cream of tartar stabilizes the egg whites to help them stiffen, resulting in a glossy, pillowy meringue.
• Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract gives the frosting the best, authentic flavor. I highly recommend it over imitation vanilla!

Should the egg whites be cold or at room temperature?

The egg whites will be easier to separate if the eggs are cold. However, they’ll be easier to whip if they’re at room temperature. For this reason, I like to separate the eggs while they’re cold from the fridge, then let the whites sit and warm up for a few minutes.

How to Make Fluffy Marshmallow Frosting

If you’ve ever been intimidated by the thought of homemade meringue, don’t be! This whipped marshmallow frosting comes together in 3 simple steps:

• Combine: You’ll start by combining the sugar, egg whites, and cream of tartar in a double boiler over medium heat. 
• Heat: Stir constantly while the mixture heats. The sugar should dissolve once the egg whites reach 140°-160°F (a candy thermometer attached to the side of the bowl is helpful for this). Rub a small drop of egg whites between your fingers – it should feel smooth and not gritty.
• Whip: As soon as the sugar dissolves, move the bowl to your stand mixer and beat the egg whites using the whisk attachment. Start on low and after a few minutes, increase the speed gradually. Continue to whip the frosting for another 5-10 minutes, adding the vanilla extract just as the frosting turns white. Once stiff peaks form, your marshmallow frosting is ready for piping! This fluffy meringue frosting is best to use immediately. See below for easy ways to use it.

Tips for Success

Here are my tips for getting the absolute best out of your homemade Swiss meringue frosting:

• Use your marshmallow frosting right away. It’s worth repeating, but marshmallow meringue is at its best on the day it’s made. However, baked goods that you’ve frosted can be stored for another day or two (see below for more storage tips).
• Give the bowl of your stand mixer a wipe with white vinegar, to make sure it’s 100% free from grease before you start. The same goes for the whisk attachment. Grease and meringue don’t mix!
• Don’t scramble the eggs. The water beneath the bowl with the egg whites and sugar should be simmering, but not touching the bottom of the bowl. Overheating can cause the eggs to scramble.
• Beat the meringue into stiff peaks. This can take several minutes, so hang in there! You can test if your meringue is ready by running a knife through it. The shape should hold without caving.
• The frosting will need to cool before you pipe it. The mixing bowl should be cool to the touch. If you pipe the frosting while it’s still warm, it will wilt.
• For a toasted marshmallow effect, lightly toast the top of the marshmallow frosting with a kitchen torch.

Common Questions

How do I get the meringue to stiffen?

This is where the cream of tartar comes in, so don’t skip it! Adding cream of tartar to the egg whites speeds up the whipping process and stabilizes the frosting.

Can you beat meringue too long?

Yes, so be sure to beat the frosting just until you reach stiff peaks (see the tips section above). Overmixing can cause the frosting to become grainy.

Ways to Use Marshmallow Frosting

This silky, glossy marshmallow frosting is perfect for piping! You can use a piping bag with your tip of choice, or a freezer bag with the corner snipped off to create rosettes, swirls, and more.

Here are just some ways to use your homemade marshmallow frosting:

• Cupcakes: Swirl your marshmallow frosting onto Chocolate Cupcakes or Vanilla Cupcakes or even a a S’mores cupcakes.
• Cakes: This frosting is great for spreading and piping over any cake recipe! Try it with Homemade White Cake, Chocolate Cake, or even Strawberry Cake.
• Pies and Tarts: Use it in and on top of s’mores pies, chocolate tarts, and more no-bake or semi-bake desserts.

Storing Homemade Frosting

This marshmallow Swiss meringue frosting is always at its best on the day it’s freshly whipped. However, frosted cupcakes and cakes can be kept refrigerated airtight for up to 1-2 days. 

If you’re looking to get a headstart on a batch of cupcakes, you can always make the cupcakes ahead and store them unfrosted and airtight in the fridge. This marshmallow frosting is so quick and easy to make, you can do it right before you’re ready to frost your baked treats!

Can Marshmallow Meringue Be Frozen?

Unfortunately, no. The egg whites in the meringue frosting don’t hold up well when frozen. They tend to thaw into a rubbery, soggy texture.

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More Homemade Frosting Recipes

• Chocolate Whipped Cream
• Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream
• Coconut Whipped Cream
• Cream Cheese Frosting
• The Best Vanilla Buttercream Frosting