Homemade marshmallows are a fluffy, squishy, and delicious treat! The best part about this marshmallow recipe is that they are made with real marshmallow root, which is a beneficial herb. Using raw honey, this easy marshmallow recipe is all-natural with traditional herbal ingredients and a super tasty flavor that is amazing in hot cocoa and s’mores!
A Short Marshmallow History
Marshmallow candies go way back to Ancient Egyptian times over 2,000 years ago, making them one of the first desserts that we know of in history.
It’s been said that the root of the marshmallow plant was boiled with honey, making for a thick, sticky candy.
As far as the puffy and fluffy marshmallows we know in today’s times, they go back to France from about 1850 and were continually handmade with marshmallow roots until the 1950s.
Then, manufacturers in the U.S. turned them into the commercial treats that we buy at the store today.
Without any trace of actual marshmallow root!
It’s a crying shame to take such a historical herbal and health benefiting treat, and turn it into a modern factory-made fake.
So, you see, we must take marshmallows back into our own hands and put the marshmallow back in marshmallows!
About Marshmallow Root
The marshmallow plant (Althaea officinalis) is a flowering herb that can be found growing in damp areas along seas, river banks, and marshes. It’s part of the mallow family, hence the name marshmallow.
This herb is cultivated for its root, which can be used in a variety of different ways from culinary use, medicinally, and for skincare.
Medicinally, marshmallow root is known for soothing irritated tissues and can be helpful for soothing sore throats. It also supports digestion and is also used for heartburn, acid reflux, and diarrhea.
Common marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)
Homemade Marshmallow Ingredients
Gelatin powder is used to give marshmallows their shape. Using a high-quality grass-fed gelatin powder will also provide vitamins and nutrients.
Often, agar agar powder can be used as a gelatin substitute in recipes at a 1:1 ratio. I haven’t tested for this recipe, but if you prefer a vegetarian or vegan marshmallow it’s a possible option.
Raw honey makes these homemade marshmallows sweet! For a vegan option, you could use maple syrup or try this homemade vegan honey (along with agar agar for the gelatin) as a substitute. I haven’t tested it in this recipe, but I can say it’s a good honey alternative!
Vanilla bean powder adds an earthy and natural delicious touch of vanilla flavor to these fluffy cubes.
Marshmallow root powder is the ground form of the herbal marshmallow root. It adds classic flavor as well as herbal benefits to these tasty treats.
Arrowroot powder is a gluten-free and allergy-friendly root powder that is similar to cornstarch. In this recipe, it’s used to keep the marshmallows from sticking.
Tapioca powder or cornstarch could be used to sub for the arrowroot powder, whatever you have and your system tolerates the best.
Marshmallow Recipe
First, bloom the gelatin in the bowl of a stand mixer by pouring the gelatin over 1/2 cup of warm water and letting it sit for about 10 minutes.
In the meantime, add the other half cup of water, honey, and salt into a small pot.
On the stovetop, using a candy thermometer, toggle the heat between medium and high. Avoid stirring the mixture after the first minute so it doesn’t boil over.
Bring the temperature up to between 230-240° F (110-115° C), which takes about 10-14 minutes.
Mix the gelatin on low speed, and slowly pour the honey mixture into the stand mixer. Slowly increase the speed to high and whip until the mixture has reached its “peak.”
This means it will look and feel like pure marshmallow fluff, yay! It took mine about 6-10 minutes to reach its peak. In the last minute of whipping, add the marshmallow root and vanilla bean powder.
As the marshmallows are beating to peak fluff in the mixer, prepare a 9×9 pan with parchment paper. Dust the parchment paper with half of the arrowroot powder to keep the marshmallows from sticking.
When the marshmallow mixture is at its peak, quickly scoop it into the pan, and flatten the top with an offset spatula. Dust the rest of the arrowroot powder onto the top of the parchment paper.
Put the other piece of parchment paper over the top of the pan of marshmallows, so it can set overnight.
The next day, you can take the marshmallow out of the pan by carefully flipping it upside down onto a cutting board. Take the parchment paper off and use a sharp knife to cut the marshmallows into cubes.
Why are homemade marshmallows better than store-bought?
Store-bought marshmallows are full of who-knows-what ingredients. Sugar-laden and without any actual real marshmallow root, leave the store marshmallows at the store and treat yourself with these fluffy homemade herbal delights!
Homemade marshmallows have herbal benefits, ingredients that are whole and trusted, and best of all – are approved by you.
They can be cut to the size you desire, and still bring you the ooey, gooey, fluffy, puffy texture you have come to expect in a marshmallow. Plus, they’re simple to make!
How long do homemade marshmallows keep?
These homemade marshmallows are delicious right away, but can also be stored in a jar in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
How to Use Homemade Marshmallows
Homemade marshmallows are an herbal confection that can be delightfully enjoyed in all of the same ways as store-bought marshmallows.
Try roasting them over a fire, using them for s’mores or natural cereal treats, adding them to hot chocolate, or just snacking on their own. You can’t go wrong!
These traditionally made marshmallow root treats will walk you back in time for a super delicious dessert to be enjoyed the way it was meant to be, fluffy with honey and earth-grown herbal roots!
Try these marshmallows with this delicious warming Mushroom hot Chocolate with Reishi and Lion’s Mane!
You might also like these herbal treats:
- Mushroom Cookies w/ Candy Cap Mushrooms
- Lemon and Lavender Shortbread Cookies
- Calendula and Thyme Shortbread Cookies
- Lemon and Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
- Dandelion Cupcakes with Lemon Buttercream Frosting
Homemade Marshmallows
Ingredients
- 1 cup water divided
- 3 tbsp grass fed gelatin
- 1 cup raw honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp vanilla bean powder
- 1 tbsp marshmallow root powder
- 1/2 cup arrowroot powder
Instructions
- Pour half (½ cup) of the water into the bowl of a stand mixer and pour the gelatin on top to bloom. It will take about 10 minutes to fully bloom.
- In the meantime, add the second ½ cup of water, honey, and salt into a small pot on the stovetop with a candy thermometer. Toggle the heat between medium to high, also avoid stirring the mixture after the first minute to prevent the mixture from boiling over. You want the temperature to get between 230°-240°F (110-115° C), this will take an estimate of 10-14 minutes.
- Turn the stand mixer on low to mix the gelatin, and slowly pour the honey mixture into the stand mixer. Slowly increase the speed to high and whip until the mixture has reached “peak” meaning your mixture will look and feel like pure marshmallow fluff. This takes an estimate of 6-10 minutes, in the last minute add in the marshmallow root powder, and vanilla bean powder.
- During the 6-10 minutes your marshmallows are beating, prepare a 9x9 pan with parchment paper. Dust the parchment paper with half (¼ cup) of the arrowroot powder.
- When the marshmallow is at its peak, quickly scoop it into the pan and flatten the top with an offset spatula. Dust the rest of the arrowroot powder onto the top of the parchment paper.
- Gently place parchment paper over the 9x9 pan, and let the marshmallow set overnight.
- The following day, take out the parchment paper by flipping the pan over onto a cutting board. Take off the parchment paper from the marshmallow, and use a sharp knife to cut the marshmallows into squares.
- Enjoy the marshmallows right away, or place them into a glass jar and store them in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
Notes
- Agar agar powder can be used as a gelatin substitute in recipes at a 1:1 ratio. I haven't tested for this recipe, but if you prefer a vegetarian or vegan marshmallow it's a possible option.
- For a vegan option, you could use maple syrup or try this homemade vegan honey (along with agar agar for the gelatin) as a substitute. I haven’t tested it in this recipe, but I can say it’s a good honey alternative!
- These marshmallows are best to enjoy fresh yet still very enjoyable as time goes on.
- Try roasting them over a fire, using them for s’mores or natural cereal treats, adding them to hot chocolate, or just snacking on their own.
Can liquid vanilla or vanilla bean be used for this recipe?
I haven’t tried it with vanilla bean or extract, but it should still work, I’d think.
Hi, could the marshmallow root powder be omitted or replaced in this recipe? I live in South Africa and cannot find the powder anywhere (only roots and leaves for tea). I love the history and the idea of using the original ingredients, but I’m going to have to work around it, unfortunately.
Hi Elizna. Yes, you can omit the marshmallow root powder completely.
Can you freeze the marshmallows?
Thank you.
Hi Judith. I haven’t tried freezing them, but it should work fine!