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Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting

Apr 5, 2025 · 45 Comments

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Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting is a fun spin on fluffy buttercream with marshmallow creme, making a simple, sticky, and sweet topping for your favorite cupcakes or treats!

A close up of a chocolate cupcake topped with piped marshmallow buttercream frosting, a pink marshmallow heart, and colorful freeze-dried marshmallows. Cupcake is surrounded by more colorful freeze-dried marshmallows.

Marshmallow Frosting

Marshmallow buttercream frosting is a light, fluffy, and creamy frosting made with butter, powdered sugar, and marshmallow fluff. It has the light fluffy texture of buttercream with the gooey, sticky, vanilla nostalgia of marshmallows.

The result is a rich yet airy frosting that pairs beautifully with a variety of desserts that will be a favorite for both kids and grown-ups!

Why You'll Love Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting

  • Light and Creamy: The marshmallow fluff gives it an extra smooth texture.
  • Easy to Make: Requires just a few simple ingredients and no heating.
  • Rich and Flavorful: The butter provides richness while the marshmallow adds a sweet, nostalgic taste.
  • Versatile: Pairs well with many desserts and can be flavored in different ways.

Can You Toast This Marshmallow Frosting?

Because of the use of butter in this buttercream, no you cannot. The butter and therefore frost will melt under heat.

If you'd like to toast your marshmallow topping, you can frost your treats with this homemade marshmallow fluff instead.

A piping bag piping marshmallow buttercream frosting onto a chocolate cupcake in a light purple cupcake liner on a pink background.

Best Desserts to Pair with Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting

  • Chocolate Cupcakes: The sweet and creamy frosting contrasts beautifully with rich chocolate.
  • Sโ€™mores Cake: Layer with graham cracker crumbs and chocolate ganache for a sโ€™mores-inspired dessert.
  • Lemon Bars: The marshmallow frosting balances the tartness of lemon, like super simple no bake meringue
  • Cookies: Use as a filling between soft cookies for a homemade marshmallow sandwich.
  • Easter: I love to top cupcakes with this frosting and a cute festive marshmallow peep around Easter. Super simple to make, cute, and kids love it!
  • Brownies: Spread a layer on top of fudgy brownies for a gooey twist.
  • Fruit Dip: Serve as a dip for strawberries, apples, or bananas for an easy dessert.
  • Rice Krispies Treats: Use as a topping for extra marshmallow flavor.
  • Cake Filling: Layer between cake tiers for a soft and creamy middle layer.

How to Store Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting

Marshmallow buttercream frosting can be stored for later use:

  • At Room Temperature: Use within a few hours of making.
  • In the Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days; let it come to room temperature and re-whip before using.
  • Not Freezer-Friendly: Due to its delicate texture, freezing is not recommended.

More Delicious Frosting Recipes You'll Love

  • Caramel Frosting - Rich, buttery, and creamy topping with deep caramel flavor.
  • Whipped Mascarpone Frosting - Light, creamy, and slightly sweet with a rich, silky texture. Perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and fruit for an elegant touch!
  • Coconut Pecan Frosting - Rich, buttery caramel-like frosting loaded with toasted coconut and crunchy pecans. Sweet, nutty, and perfect for German chocolate cake!
  • Pipe-able Cream Cheese Frosting - Smooth, sweet, and tangy, and sturdy enough for piping!
  • Fresh Strawberry Buttercream - Creamy, fluffy, and bursting with real strawberry flavor. A sweet, fruity twist thatโ€™s perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and more!

Marshmallow Frosting Video

A close up of a chocolate cupcake topped with piped marshmallow buttercream frosting, a pink marshmallow heart, and colorful freeze-dried marshmallows.

Marshmallow Frosting

Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting is a fun spin on fluffy buttercream with marshmallow creme, making a simple, sticky, and sweet topping for your favorite cupcakes or treats!
4.50 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 3 cups
Calories:
Author: Michelle
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Ingredients

  • ยฝ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1ยฝ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow fluff or creme
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar until fluffy and well mixed.
  • Add fluff and vanilla and beat until smooth and creamy.
  • Pipe or spread on top of your favorite cupcakes, and enjoy!

Notes

  • Storage: Store your frosting covered in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
  • Make Ahead Directions:ย Make it, store it in covered in the refrigerator. Then just bring it to room temperature and beat again before using.
Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in March 2015. It was updated with new pictures, tips, and video and republished in March 2025.

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Cakes & Cupcakes, Desserts, Easter, Recipes, Special Days, Sweet Treats, Vegetarian Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting Recipe, Marshmallow Frosting Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amanda says

    March 27, 2015 at 8:26 am

    Whew, you are batting a thousand on the cupcakes today... seriously... so delicious!! I think I'm going to have to make some more cupcakes ๐Ÿ˜‰ Thank you for sharing with the Friday Favorites Link Party, we love having you! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  2. Love KEIL says

    March 27, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    Looks delicious pinning it!

    Reply
  3. Ashley says

    March 27, 2015 at 9:01 pm

    Hi there! Stopping by from the Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday link party. Yum, this frosting sounds delicious and looks so fluffy! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe! Pinned!

    Reply
  4. Jen Cooper says

    March 31, 2015 at 8:40 am

    I LOVE! More importantly my kiddo is going to go nuts! I am going to make this and put on top of chocolate graham cracker cupcakes... and what do you have???? Thats Right Smores!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      March 31, 2015 at 8:42 am

      That's an awesome idea!

      Reply
  5. Cathy says

    March 31, 2015 at 9:27 am

    That sounds so good! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Kristen says

    April 01, 2015 at 7:11 am

    This recipe sounds amazing. Me and the kids both love marshmallows so this would be a win at our house. Thanks for the recipe. Stopping by from R & R Wednesday's

    Reply
  7. Maria says

    April 01, 2015 at 7:46 am

    These cupcakes look amazing! The frosting sounds so good, and I love the little bunnies on top - so cute! Happy Easter!

    Reply
  8. J @ A Hot Southern Mess says

    April 02, 2015 at 9:42 am

    Oh yum! These look so good with the marshmallow frosting! i wonder if the marshmallow fluff has gluten or wheat in it? If not, I'm making this frosting this weekend! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      April 02, 2015 at 11:02 am

      I know that Kraft Jet-Puffed is gluten free. It's made from corn syrup. This is their ingredient list: Corn Syrup , Sugar , Water , Eggs Whites , Cream of Tartar , Flavors Artificial , Flavors Natural , Xanthan Gum , Blue 1

      Reply
  9. Amanda says

    April 02, 2015 at 2:12 pm

    Congratulations!! I selected your post as one of my favorites and will be featured tonight on Friday Favorites ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  10. Erika says

    April 04, 2015 at 4:48 am

    Oh I've never tried marshmallow frosting! Cool! Thanks for sharing in the Thursday Favorite Things link party! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Erika

    Reply
  11. Beck says

    August 25, 2015 at 11:27 am

    Never tried a marshmallow buttercream. I'm gonna have to try it! Looks delicious, btw.

    Reply
  12. Anna says

    October 02, 2015 at 5:42 pm

    This looks delicious! Does this frosting hold its shape, if I were to pipe it with a 1M, swirls, onto cupcakes? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      October 02, 2015 at 6:23 pm

      Consistency-wise it's a tad gooier than your average buttercream. For the pictures above I used a 2A tip, and it held pretty well. I imagine the 1M would work fine as well. Let me know how it goes it you try it!

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        October 09, 2015 at 3:04 pm

        Am planning to use this this weekend for some s'mores cupcakes. I wonder if either cutting back on the fluff a tad or adding more powdered sugar would resolve the goo-iness problem? I'm intending on piping them as well.

        Reply
        • Michelle says

          October 09, 2015 at 7:19 pm

          I would probably opt for a bit more powdered sugar if you're worried. But as I said, I did actually pipe the frosting for the photos here, and it held pretty nicely.

          Reply
      • Naomi Burke says

        March 27, 2018 at 3:53 pm

        I want to make Easter cupcakes on Sunday and I was thinking bunnies for half and maybe nests/ grass with Easter eggs for the other half. Do you think this frosting would hold up well with the grass tip? I think because it's so gooey it probably won't, but I don't want to rule out this frosting just because I don't think it will work.

        Reply
        • Michelle says

          March 27, 2018 at 9:30 pm

          I'm honestly not sure. If you try it, I'd love to hear how it goes!

          Reply
  13. Ava says

    July 27, 2016 at 2:59 pm

    This frosting was amazing! So sweet and yummy, went perfect with my chocolate cupcakes recipe. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Brooke says

      September 02, 2016 at 8:06 am

      How long did they hold their shape? My daughter's birthday is Saturday and I am looking for a fun, creamy frosting to do on her cupcakes. But I want to pipe the frosting and put a topper on them and then allow them to be out for the duration of the party until we do dessert and song... These look delicious!

      Reply
      • Michelle says

        September 03, 2016 at 8:18 am

        I'm pretty certain they can hold that long. For my kids parties, I always just frost them the morning of, then refrigerate until party time, and they get to sit out the whole time and are totally fine.

        Reply
  14. manuela says

    October 12, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    Hi.. I know it's an old post but I just came across it while looking for frosting ideas and I was wondering if you ever tried making this recipe using homemade marshmallow. Whenever I can I try to do things from scratch so I was just wondering... Thanks a ton!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      October 12, 2016 at 4:07 pm

      I've never tried it, but I'd love to hear how it turns out if you do! Let me know!

      Reply
  15. Meghan says

    April 25, 2017 at 11:16 am

    Just so you know, there's a huge Dove add over your recipe (Marshmallow Frosting Recipe) and I can't close it. If tried everything. Was really interested in your recipe - but whoever your host is is kinda screwing you over with adds like that making content unviewable.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      April 26, 2017 at 8:45 am

      Can I ask what device you're on? Mobile?

      Reply
    • Ilene Tillman says

      December 01, 2017 at 3:54 pm

      If you click to print it, you can read the directions

      Reply
  16. Rona Compton says

    May 02, 2017 at 11:01 pm

    Thank you. I made this frosting for my grandson's cupcakes. It's very sweet but he loved it.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      May 03, 2017 at 8:03 am

      Glad he liked it!

      Reply
  17. J. Todd says

    May 05, 2017 at 10:27 am

    We are not frosting lovers, but we do love marshmallows! Does this hold color? I was hoping to find in others posts if anyone has used paste food coloring...

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      May 05, 2017 at 11:50 am

      Yes, it does. I use the same Wilton gel paste coloring that I use for basically everything except chocolate.

      Reply
  18. Erika says

    July 02, 2017 at 2:48 pm

    tried it, simple but i didn't love the overpowering butter flavor and not so much the marshmallow flavor :/ but my daughter loved it!!

    Reply
  19. Nina says

    July 28, 2017 at 8:36 am

    I know this is an old post, but this looks like a great recipe. Do the cupcakes need to be refrigerated long? I am making about 96 cupcakes for my daughters party which is on Sunday (it is Friday today), I wanted to at least make the cupcakes tomorrow but play with the frosting today because I want to get the colors right. If I refrigerate the frosting today, will I still be able to frost the cupcakes Sunday before the party? And how long is the frosting good for on the cupcakes if not refrigerated for the day of the party?

    Reply
  20. Peggy says

    September 06, 2017 at 10:38 pm

    Would I be able to use a kitchen torch to brown the icing?

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      September 07, 2017 at 12:12 pm

      I'm not sure as I haven't tried it. If you try it, let us know how it turns out!

      Reply
    • Leslie says

      January 26, 2018 at 5:05 pm

      Peggy have you tried torching this frosting? I would be interested for Smores cupcakes

      Reply
      • Michelle says

        January 28, 2018 at 12:35 pm

        No, I have not. I would love to hear how it turns out if you do though!

        Reply
  21. Ka says

    December 19, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    This sounds perfect! I want tonoutnitnin too of brownies that will be cut and wrapped individually. Does it become firm or will it stay pretty soft? Want to make sure it won't all stick to packaging.
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 19, 2017 at 5:33 pm

      I believe it will stay pretty soft.

      Reply
  22. Mais says

    February 24, 2018 at 3:54 pm

    Hi there. I was wondering when you say recipe is for a dozen, is that when piped as high as you did in your pictures? Iโ€™m trying to determine if one batch is enough or if Iโ€™ll need to double it. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      February 25, 2018 at 1:18 pm

      Yes

      Reply
  23. APG says

    April 25, 2020 at 3:14 pm

    Would this filling be stiff enough to use in making whoopie pies?

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      April 27, 2020 at 2:29 pm

      I haven't tried it, but I would say that it would probably work really well.

      Reply
  24. Kathy says

    October 09, 2021 at 11:15 am

    This is an Easy recipe that makes a lot of frosting. You will definitely have leftovers! I added some milk during beating to give a smoother consistency. It is delicious and very, very sweet. A bit too sweet for me.

    Reply
  25. M says

    March 10, 2024 at 2:32 pm

    Tried the Marshmallow Forsting and it tasted great! But the shape did not hold at all, so it made things very messy.

    Reply

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