Peppermint Marshmallow Recipe
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Made with peppermint oil and green gel food coloring, this peppermint marshmallow recipe is perfect for gifting Christmas cheer. These homemade peppermint marshmallows also make a nice addition to a festive holiday platter or cookie tray (along with a dish of Christmas candy corn, of course!) or stirred into a cup of hot chocolate following an evening of ice skating or Christmas caroling.
Key Ingredients
- Gelatin – Gelatin sets the sugar syrup, giving homemade marshmallows their spongy, bouncy texture. I used gelatin powder, but if if you want to make these (or any of my marshmallow recipes) using leaves or sheets, see this post for tips on converting gelatin measurements. And remember that gelatin typically contains animal products (usually fish, pork, or beef) so these marshmallows are not vegan-friendly.
- Peppermint Oil – I prefer to make these mint marshmallows (and other candies and cookies) using natural peppermint oil, rather than an extract or flavoring. Oils are stronger than extracts, so you’ll need far less. When using natural peppermint oil, remember that a little goes a very long way. I recommend adding a few drops with an eye dropper, then adjusting to taste. Too much peppermint oil will make your eyes water, and will make the finished product taste more like medicine than marshmallows. (Trust me, I’ve done the legwork on this one!) You’ll have plenty of peppermint oil left over so save it to make peppermint meringue kisses, or chocolate peppermint lollipops.
- Green Gel Food Coloring – I like Chefmaster’s mint green or leaf green shades for tinting my marshmallows, but you can use another green gel food coloring, or make red or pink peppermint marshmallows to mimic the colors of a candy cane. Remember to add more food coloring than you think you’ll need—the color will look too dark at first, but will lighten significantly as you whip more air into the marshmallow fluff.
- Sugars – These marshmallows contain a mix of liquid sweetener (corn syrup) and granulated sugar. You can experiment with other invert sugars, such as liquid glucose, or replace the granulated sugar with caster instead.
Tips and Variations
- Play with color. I used green gel food coloring to tint my marshmallows, but you could make red marshmallows instead. Or, make batches of red, white, and green, and mix them together for gifting.
- Experiment with add-ins. Tiny pieces of crushed candy cane might also make a nice addition to these marshmallows. Or, cover your slab with festive red and green sprinkles. (See this birthday cake marshmallow recipe for the best method to coat a marshmallow slab in sprinkles.)
- Use plenty of cooking spray! Spray your tin, your spatula, and your knife. If you cover the marshmallow slab overnight, spray the aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Otherwise, it will stick to the marshmallow slab in a way that is nearly impossible to remove.
- Give as a gift. Try packaging your peppermint marshmallows in a Christmas-themed cello bag with a festive bow. Or, gift in a pretty Christmas mug alongside a package of hot chocolate mix and a stirring spoon.
- Line your tin carefully. Not enough parchment or oil, and your marshmallow will stick to the pan. Visit this post for a more detailed guide to lining your tin.
Peppermint Marshmallows
- Total Time40 minutes (plus setting time)
- Yield36 marshmallows 1x
A peppermint marshmallow recipe made with green gel coloring and natural peppermint oil. Perfect for gifting Christmas cheer!
Ingredients
Marshmallows:
Canola oil or nonstick cooking spray, for greasing tin and knife
240 milliliters water (1 cup), divided
20 grams powdered gelatin (2 tablespoons)
400 grams granulated sugar (2 cups)
160 grams corn syrup (1/2 cup)
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
3-4 drops natural peppermint oil, or to taste
Green gel food coloring
Coating:
50 grams potato starch (1/3 cup)
50 grams confectioner’s sugar (1/3 cup)
Instructions
Marshmallows:
Line an 8 x 8-inch square tin with parchment, and spray generously with nonstick spray.
Pour 120 milliliters (1/2 cup) water into a large mixing bowl (if using a hand mixer), or the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle powdered gelatin evenly over the water. Set aside.
In a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot, stir together granulated sugar, corn syrup, remaining water, and salt. Bring mixture to a boil and boil, without stirring, until syrup reaches 240° F (116° C) on a digital thermometer.
Carefully pour hot syrup over gelatin. Mix on high speed for 2-3 minutes, until mixture begins to thicken. Add peppermint oil and green gel food coloring and continue to mix on high speed until very thick and voluminous, about 8-9 minutes more.
With an oiled rubber spatula, scrape marshmallow into prepared tin.
Loosely cover with a well-oiled sheet of aluminum foil. Allow to set at room temperature until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.
Cutting and Coating:
In a small bowl, whisk potato starch and confectioner’s sugar. Dust generously over a large chopping board. Turn marshmallow slab out onto dusted surface.
Sift top of marshmallow slab with more powder. With a well-oiled chef’s knife, cut into squares.
Toss cut marshmallows in additional powder, coating all sides evenly.
Store marshmallows in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
Notes
You can also make these marshmallows using leaf gelatin instead of powder. To do so, visit this page for the proper conversion and other recipe tips.
Use pure peppermint oil, rather than a baking extract. My go-to is LorAnn Oils Natural Peppermint Oil. And use it sparingly—a tiny bit of peppermint oil goes a long way
- Category: Candy and Confectionery
- Method: Stovetop
Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions
Homemade marshmallows do not require refrigeration and will keep well at room temperature for a month or longer when stored in an airtight container. Because they keep well and are easy to store, homemade marshmallows are ideal for gifting and especially for mailing to out-of-town friends and family. Even if the package is delayed in transit, the marshmallows will still be delicious when(ever) they arrive.
Other Homemade Marshmallow Recipes You Might Enjoy
Boozy Red Wine Marshmallows
Champagne Marshmallows
Classic Vanilla Bean Marshmallows
Cookies and Cream Marshmallows
Rosewater Marshmallows
And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!
