Simple Marshmallow Frosting (The Best Homemade Recipe)

This homemade Marshmallow Frosting only requires 4 ingredients, and it’s absolutely perfect! It tastes like a velvety blend of sweet vanilla and marshmallow, with a smooth, airy texture that melts in your mouth. My marshmallow frosting recipe tastes good on anything that you’d frost with vanilla frosting. Making your own homemade marshmallow buttercream frosting is so easy, let me show you how!

Marshmallow Frosting

I love homemade frosting.  I could honestly sit down with a big bowl of it and devour the whole thing. It doesn’t matter if it’s cream cheese frosting, chocolate frosting, or this fabulous marshmallow frosting. 

I really don’t think I’ve met a homemade frosting that I didn’t like, but I’ve met many NOT homemade frostings that I just couldn’t do.

I can do a boxed cake mix, no problem. But the frosting? It’s gotta be made from scratch.  There is just nothing like a good homemade frosting.

I also love to make homemade marshmallows, so it only makes sense to make homemade marshmallow frosting!

This marshmallow frosting is in my top 3 favorite frosting recipes. 

I can’t pick an absolute favorite because I love them all equally. But, this Marshmallow frosting is absolutely amazing. 

My homemade frosting is light, sweet, and perfect for anyone who loves marshmallow fluff. It’s simple, delicious, and bound to become your favorite recipe!

Why You’ll Love My Marshmallow Frosting

• Simple ingredients: You only need a few basics—room temperature butter, marshmallow creme, powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract. It’s quick and easy to whip up.
• Easy frosting recipe: No fancy techniques or special equipment needed—just use a hand mixer to bring everything together. You’ll get that smooth, fluffy finish without breaking a sweat.
• Perfect for any occasion: Whether you’re frosting a chocolate cake, layer cake, or sheet cake, this delicious frosting recipe will work perfectly. It even pairs beautifully with s’mores cupcakes or as a topping for graham crackers.

Marshmallow Frosting Ingredients

It’s super simple – you only need 4 ingredients! Full measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. There is also a video tutorial from me right above the recipe so you can see me making it in my own humble little kitchen.

• Butter: You’ll need to use unsalted butter for this delicious frosting recipe. The butter gives the frosting its rich, creamy base. Make sure it’s at room temperature so it mixes up light and smooth, creating the fluffy texture we want in a marshmallow icing.

• Marshmallow creme: Pick up a 7-ounce jar of marshmallow creme from the grocery store. This is what gives the frosting the light, pillowy feel.

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• Powdered sugar: You’ll use powdered sugar to thicken up the frosting and make it smooth. It blends perfectly with the butter and marshmallow creme.

• Vanilla extract: A teaspoon of vanilla extract adds warmth and richness to the frosting. 

• Vanilla bean (optional): If you’re feeling a little fancy, scrape the insides of a vanilla bean to add those beautiful black specks and a deeper vanilla flavor. It’s perfect for adding that special touch to Valentine’s day treats or your favorite desserts.

How to Make Marshmallow Frosting

1. Cream the butter: Start by placing your room temperature butter in a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or a bowl of your stand mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until it’s nice and smooth. You want it to be light and fluffy, almost like a cloud.
2. Add the marshmallow creme: Next, scoop in the jar of marshmallow fluff. Beat it together with the butter for about 2 minutes until it’s well combined and smooth.
3. Add the powdered sugar: Slowly add the powdered sugar to the mixture, beating on low speed at first so you don’t end up covered in sugar! Then, turn the mixer to high speed and keep beating for another 2 minutes.
4. Add the vanilla: Finally, pour in the vanilla extract. If you’re feeling fancy, scrape the insides of a vanilla bean and mix that in too. Stir everything together gently with a rubber spatula until it’s all combined.
5. Use or store: Now your easy marshmallow frosting is ready to go! You can use it right away or pop it in an airtight container and store it for later.

Ways to Use Marshmallow Frosting

• Top your favorite cakes: This fluffy marshmallow frosting is perfect for spreading on classic white cakes, chocolate cakes, or any of your favorite cakes.
• Frost chocolate cupcakes: The rich chocolate pairs perfectly with the light marshmallow fluff frosting, making it a match made in dessert heaven.
• Layer cakes: Use this frosting between the layers of a layer cake. The smooth texture spreads easily and will make every bite melt in your mouth.
• S’mores cupcakes: Try using this frosting on s’mores cupcakes for a fun, campfire-inspired treat. You can even use a kitchen torch to toast the top for that actual marshmallows feel.
• Whoopie pie filling: I like to swap out my vanilla buttercream frosting for this marshmallow frosting sometimes when I make classic whoopie pies or even my pumpkin whoopie pies. 
• Fill cookies: This frosting works beautifully as a filling for sandwich cookies, like my Pumpkin Whoopie Pies (just replace the vanilla frosting with marshmallow frosting).
• Garnish hot chocolate: For the ultimate cup of chocolate, drop a spoonful of this homemade marshmallow frosting on top. It will slowly melt into your drink, making it taste amazing. You could also use it on my Hot Cocoa Pancakes!

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• When making this homemade marshmallow frosting recipe, be sure to have your butter at room temperature. This makes it easier to beat into that light and fluffy frosting we’re after.
• Also, make sure you scrape down the sides of the bowl as you go, so all the ingredients mix together evenly. 

Piping Vs Spreading

For those who love a smooth finish, you can easily spread this frosting with a spatula over your cake or cupcakes.

If you want something a little fancier, you can use a piping bag to make pretty swirls and designs. 

How to Make Ahead Marshmallow Frosting

This frosting can be made ahead of time if you’d like. Simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and it will stay fresh for a couple of days.

When you’re ready to use it, let it come back to room temperature and give it a good stir or beat with your mixer until it’s light and fluffy again.

How to Thicken Marshmallow Frosting

If your frosting is a little too soft for your liking, you can thicken it up easily.

Just add a little more powdered sugar until it reaches the consistency you want. Keep mixing until you get those stiff peaks that make it perfect for piping or spreading.