Strawberry Swirl Marshmallows are a delightful treat that you can easily make at home, capturing the essence of fresh strawberries in every fluffy bite. With a sweet, fruity flavor that dances on your tongue and a texture that’s delightfully soft and pillowy, it’s hard to resist not having one (or several!) in your hand. The gentle sweetness of the strawberry flavor combined with the melt-in-your-mouth quality of the marshmallow creates a magic that store-bought versions just can’t replicate.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Strawberry Swirl Marshmallows
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Strawberry Swirl Marshmallows

I first made these Strawberry Swirl Marshmallows during a summer gathering with friends, where the warmth of laughter and sunlight made everything feel just a bit sweeter. Watching everyone take their first bites and seeing their eyes light up filled me with joy; these marshmallows are not just a dessert, they’re an experience. Whether you’re crafting a homemade gift or simply satisfying a craving, this recipe is guaranteed to bring a smile.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Whip these up in just 30 minutes while your friends and family are none the wiser!
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of strawberry jello and strawberry extract creates a heavenly fruity burst.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The swirls of color make these marshmallows stunning and fun, perfect for any gathering.
Flexible Serving: Great for snacks, dessert, or even charcuterie boards, they fit every occasion perfectly.
Diet-Friendly Options: They’re naturally gluten-free, appealing to a wider audience!

Ingredients You’ll Need

1/4 cup powdered sugar: This helps to prevent stickiness and gives a nice dusting on finished marshmallows.
2 tablespoons cornstarch: Combined with powdered sugar, it coats the marshmallows to enhance their texture.
2 packets of unflavored gelatin: Vital for that perfect marshmallow fluffiness.
1 cup water (divided): Water hydrates the gelatin and helps combine the syrup, making it a crucial element.
3/4 cup granulated sugar: The main sweetener that blends beautifully with the strawberry flavor.
1/2 cup light corn syrup: This ensures the marshmallows stay soft and chewy, preventing crystallization.
1/4 teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt enhances sweetness and balances flavors.
3 ounces strawberry jello: It provides a wonderful strawberry flavor and vibrant color.
3 teaspoons strawberry extract: This boost in flavor brings the essence of fresh strawberries alive.
2 drops red gel food coloring: For that gorgeous, swirled color throughout your marshmallows.

How to Make Strawberry Swirl Marshmallows

Bloom Gelatin: In a small bowl, add 2 packets of unflavored gelatin and mix in 1/2 cup of water. Allow the gelatin to bloom for about 5 minutes, letting it absorb the water and become puffy.

Cook Sugar Mixture: In a large saucepan, combine 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, the remaining 1/2 cup water, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat this mixture over medium heat, stirring gently until it reaches 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer. That’s the sweet spot for making marshmallows!

Add Jello: Once the sugar mixture is at temperature, whisk in the 3 ounces of strawberry jello until it’s completely dissolved and well combined. The moment you do this, you’ll smell that lovely strawberry scent wafting through your kitchen.

Mix with Gelatin: In the stand mixer bowl, add the bloomed gelatin. With the mixer on low speed, carefully pour the hot sugar mixture into the bowl. This gradual addition helps to dissolve the gelatin perfectly, creating that marshmallow magic.

Whip It Good: Switch to the whisk attachment and beat the mixture on high for about 8 to 10 minutes. You’re aiming for a fluffy and stiff consistency – it should nearly triple in volume!

Prepare the Pan: While the marshmallow mixture is whipping, lightly spray an 8×8 inch square pan with nonstick baking spray. This ensures an easy release later.

Dust the Pan: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup powdered sugar with the 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Reserve half of this mixture for dusting the finished marshmallows. Dust the bottom of your prepared pan generously with the remaining mixture to create a non-stick surface.

Flavor & Color: With just one minute left of whipping, add the 3 teaspoons of strawberry extract and 2 drops of red gel food coloring. Continue beating; you want the bright color and delicious flavor fully integrated.

Pour Mixture: Carefully pour the fluffy marshmallow mixture into your prepared pan. If you’re feeling artistic, add one or two additional drops of red gel food coloring on opposite sides of the mixture in the pan and use a skewer to swirl them together for a beautiful marble effect.

Finish with Dusting: Use the remaining powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly dust the marshmallows on top. This helps prevent them from sticking together as they set.

Let Set: Allow the marshmallows to rest at room temperature for at least 4 hours, but ideally, let them sit overnight. This gives them sufficient time to firm up and achieves the best texture.

Cut & Toss: Once set, use a sharp knife or pizza cutter dusted with some of the powdered sugar/cornstarch mix to cut them into 12 pieces. Toss the marshmallows in additional powdered sugar to coat the sides, keeping them non-sticky.

Storing & Reheating

To store your Strawberry Swirl Marshmallows, keep them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two weeks. If you’re planning on keeping them longer, they can be refrigerated for about one month. For freezing, layer the marshmallows in an airtight container with parchment paper between the layers to prevent sticking; they should be fine for up to 3 months. If they start to feel a bit hard, simply let them sit at room temperature for a bit to refresh their delightful softness.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Ensure your ingredients are at room temperature to help them combine better.
Avoid over-beating the marshmallow mixture: a perfect texture is achieved at the right moment, so listen to the change in sound!
If your mixture is too sticky, dust with more powdered sugar/cornstarch to avoid mess while cutting.
For extra flavor, feel free to mix in a few fresh strawberries or swap the extract for another fruit flavor!
Use a serrated knife for the cleanest cuts when slicing your marshmallows.

There’s so much to love about these Strawberry Swirl Marshmallows! The delightful texture, inviting aroma, and vibrant colors make them a hit at any gathering. Plus, making them from scratch gives you the chance to customize and experiment a little with flavors, which is always fun. I encourage you to give this recipe a try—whether for a party or a special treat for yourself, you’ll enjoy every fluffy bite.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of jello?

Absolutely! You can substitute the strawberry jello with any flavor you prefer, such as raspberry or cherry, to create a new spin on this classic marshmallow recipe. Just keep the same measurements for the gelatin and sugar.

How do I prevent the marshmallows from sticking?

Dusting with a mixture of powdered sugar and cornstarch before pouring in the marshmallow mixture helps prevent sticking. Additionally, after cutting, ensure you toss the marshmallows in the same mixture to coat all sides.

Can I make these marshmallows vegan?

Yes, you can! Substitute the unflavored gelatin with agar-agar, a plant-based alternative. Just follow the package instructions for the correct quantity, as it may differ slightly from gelatin.

What can I do if my marshmallows didn’t set properly?

If your marshmallows are too soft, it could be due to not reaching the proper temperature during cooking. You can try warming the mixture gently (without boiling) and whipping it again until fluffy and then letting it set once more.