Making vegan marshmallows at home is truly a science. But we've figured it out for you! Check out our recipe, with step-by-step instructions and pictures on how to make Homemade Vegan Marshmallows!
Vegan marshmallows...
So sweet... yet they’ve been a thorn on my side for about 3 years now.
It all started right around this time of year, when my son was about 3 years old. He became obsessed with an episode of “Everyday Italian” on the Food Network. It was a Halloween special so, of course, it was all about candy and chocolate. He used to watch it over and over again, and finally (and I knew it was coming) he asked me if I could make Giada’s treats for him. Of course, I agreed. I figured it would be a fun way to spend time together in the kitchen so, why not?
Yeah well, little did I know…
The first thing he wanted me to try to make, was her marshmallows. They looked easy enough. Gelatin, sugar, vanilla, lots of whipping… nothing crazy. I thought I would just use vegan gelatin instead of regular, and done.
So I gave it a try... and ended up with a gooey mess. Then I tried it again the next day, same result. Again a few days later. Nothing. At that point, my son got tired of it, and wasn’t interested in marshmallows anymore. But I wasn’t about to give up. No. Way.
I kept trying and trying, but all I ended up with was a whole lot of syrup stuck everywhere, and no fingernails left from all the scrubbing I had to do to clean it up. You know what Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity is? Doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. Well, that was me, to a tee. So I decided to let it go.
Fast forward 3 years… and we get a request to develop a recipe for vegan marshmallows. Funny how the universe works. So here I am, back at it again. Only this time, I’m older, hopefully wiser, and I have my sister by my side to help me. So giving up? Not an option.
We took the time to do some research, read about gums and seaweed and chemistry... and we finally got it. WE GOT IT! I couldn't believe it!!
TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE VEGAN MARSHMALLOWS
Now, with that said, here are a few things we’ve learned along the way, and we think you should know too if you’re planning on making these:
- Vegan marshmallows are much like spoiled little divas: you need to follow the directions and give them time, attention and TLC, or else they’ll have a complete meltdown. Literally.
- Don’t expect to get the same stuff you buy in a bag at the grocery store. We’re talking homemade here. And vegan. It’s just not gonna happen.
- Here we used orange flavored vegan “jel” for two reasons: one, we thought orange would be appropriate for this time of year. And two, we found that using a flavored “jel” took some of the protein powder taste away. You can use different flavors or unflavored, as you will see in the ingredients list.
- We suggest you use a standing mixer. A hand mixer will do the job, but your arms will get a really good workout and you will need another set of hands to pour the syrup into the bowl while mixing!
- For extra firm marshmallows, store these in the freezer after you cut them. If you don’t mind a little bit of goo, store them in the fridge.
- We found that making these in small batches works better than making a lot of them at once. This recipe yields about 2 dozen medium-size marshmallows.
And that's it! Enjoy them!!
Ruth
Step by step images on how to make homemade vegan marshmallows
Gather your ingredients: protein powder, pectin, flavored vegan gelatin powder, sugar, cornstarch
- Whip the protein powder, pectin, baking powder and water until it starts to form soft peaks
2. Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a medium saucepan
3. Cook over medium heat until it reaches exactly 240F
4. Make sure to remove the syrup from the heat before adding the "jel" powder!
5. And stir fast and until completely dissolved, or you'll end up with grainy marshmallows!
6. It should look like the image above
7. Quickly pour the orange syrup into the protein powder mixture, while the mixer is still running. Turn the speed to high and let it go for a good 25-30 minutes. Seriously, LET IT GO. don't touch it or stop it or check on it. Just let it do it's thing. You'll know it's ready when pale and fluffy.
8. Make sure to cover your working surface well with confectioner's sugar and cornstarch.
9. This is what the marshmallow mixture looks like after being refrigerated overnight
10. Use a pizza cutter to cut the vegan marshmallows if possible. Works much better than a knife!
11. "Dip" the sides in sugar and cornstarch as you cut them
12. Cut the vegan marshmallows into whatever size and shape you like
13. Sprinkle more confectioner's sugar and cornstarch and they're done.
"Orange cream" vegan marshmallows
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 24 marshmallows 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Making vegan marshmallows at home is truly a science. But we've figured it out for you! Check out our recipe, with step-by-step instructions and pictures on how to make Homemade Vegan Marshmallows!
Ingredients
- 2 ½ tbsp soy protein powder (as pure as possible, at least 90% soy isolate)
- ¼ tsp pectin
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon room temperature water
- ½ cup granulated sugar (if using unflavored vegan "gelatin", increase the amount of sugar by ⅓ cup)
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup water
- 1-3oz package of orange-flavored vegan "Jel" dessert (you can also use unflavored)
- ½ tsp natural vanilla extract
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup confectioner's sugar
- Cooking spray
- ½ cup vegan chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Combine protein powder, pectin, baking powder, and ⅓ cup plus one tablespoon of room temperature water in a standing mixer bowl. Using the whisk attachment whip all the ingredients at medium-high speed until soft peaks start to form.
- In the meantime, in a medium saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, and ¼ cup water. Stir, place over medium heat with a candy thermometer until it reaches 240F
- Once the syrup has reached 240F, REMOVE FROM HEAT and immediately add orange-flavored "jel", stirring constantly until it dissolves completely. You have to work quickly here before the mixture thickens too much!
- CAREFULLY and while the mixer is still running, pour the syrup quickly into the mixing bowl. Increase the speed to high and whip it for a good 25-30 minutes, until pale and fluffy. At the last minute, add vanilla extract.
- In the meantime, mix cornstarch and confectioner's sugar together in a medium bowl. Line a 7"x 5"x 1.5" pan or glass container with wax or parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray and generously coat with the sugar mixture.
- Spray a rubber spatula with cooking spray and spread the marshmallow mixture over the prepared pan. Refrigerate immediately for about 2 hours, then sprinkle more of the sugar/cornstarch mixture on top.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 more hours or overnight (recommended)
- When ready, sprinkle more of the sugar/cornstarch mixture on a clean surface. Take the marshmallow block off the mold and cut it using a pizza cutter. Sprinkle more sugar and cornstarch so all the sides are covered and refrigerate until ready to use.
- For chocolate drizzled marshmallows, place them in the freezer after they've been cut while you melt the chocolate chips (in the microwave or double boiler). Pour the melted chocolate into a squeeze bottle or a re-sealable plastic bag (cut the tip to make a small hole) and drizzle over the marshmallows
Notes
- Read Tips 1-6 above the recipe
- For this recipe you'll need:
- A standing mixer with a whisk attachment (recommended)
- A candy thermometer
- Wax or parchment paper
- A 7"x 5"x 1.5" pan or glass container
- Prep Time: 40 minutes plus refrigeration
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 marshmallow
- Calories: 56
- Sugar: 11.2
- Sodium: 27.2
- Fat: 0.1
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 13.2
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 1.2
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: vegan, marshmallows, homemade, gluten free, kosher, dessert
Oh My Veggies (@ohmyveggies) says
Marshmallows are one of my favorite foods EVVVVER and I hate that I can't eat them anymore unless I want to pay an insane amount of money for vegan marshmallows. So excited about this recipe--thanks for sharing!
mayihavethatrecipe says
Hope you enjoy them! They take a little time to make, but definitely worth it. Let us know what you think when you try them!
Basil says
Oh, wow. Just, wow. Like, wow. Wow.
I will be making these - so delicious looking recipes call for Dandies, but I have never really wanted to buy them... problem solved! These look excellent!
mayihavethatrecipe says
Thanks!! We thought that adding a little flavor to them would make them a little different. Hope you like them!! 🙂
This American Bite says
Interesting... last time we wanted kosher marshmallows, we had family ship them to us from the West Coast. Next time it's smores season, I'll be returning to this recipe!
mayihavethatrecipe says
These were definitely a challenge! Although if you are looking for a kosher but not vegan alternative, you can use kosher fish gelatin and will probably end up with a "fluffier" marshmallow. This are quite good too 😉
Kele says
I was just reading through the instructions for this recipe and I had a question. Does that really say to run your mixer on high for 25-30 MINUTES? Leaving the mixer running for that long seems terrible for it.
Vicky & Ruth says
Hi Kele,
Yes, you can do this using a standing mixer, such as Kitchen Aid. We actually tested the recipe several times and the mixer was able to hold up very well. Please let us know if you have any more questions
Clarice says
What are the ingredients of the "Orange Jel dessert"? If you could mention the ingredients, it would be helpful to make these marshmallows as it is hard to come across vegan jelly crystals here in the USA.
Vicky & Ruth says
Hi! Simply Delish and Natural Desserts make vegan "jello", and that's what we used for this recipe. We found it at our local Whole Foods. You can also find it online, here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Delish-Dessert-Orange-1-6-Ounce/dp/B005IW3UAW
Hope this helps. Please let us know if you have any more questions.