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!
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.
Best Desserts to Pair with Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting
- Chocolate Cupcakes: The sweet and creamy frosting contrasts beautifully with rich chocolate.
- S’mores Cake: Layer with graham cracker crumbs and chocolate ganache for a s’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 that’s perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and more!
Marshmallow Frosting Video
Marshmallow Frosting
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1½ 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: Make it, store it in covered in the refrigerator. Then just bring it to room temperature and beat again before using.
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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Amanda says
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 😉 Thank you for sharing with the Friday Favorites Link Party, we love having you! 🙂
Love KEIL says
Looks delicious pinning it!
Ashley says
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!
Jen Cooper says
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!
Michelle says
That's an awesome idea!
Cathy says
That sounds so good! Thanks for sharing!
Kristen says
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
Maria says
These cupcakes look amazing! The frosting sounds so good, and I love the little bunnies on top - so cute! Happy Easter!
J @ A Hot Southern Mess says
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!
Michelle says
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
Amanda says
Congratulations!! I selected your post as one of my favorites and will be featured tonight on Friday Favorites 🙂
Erika says
Oh I've never tried marshmallow frosting! Cool! Thanks for sharing in the Thursday Favorite Things link party! 🙂
Erika
Beck says
Never tried a marshmallow buttercream. I'm gonna have to try it! Looks delicious, btw.
Anna says
This looks delicious! Does this frosting hold its shape, if I were to pipe it with a 1M, swirls, onto cupcakes? Thanks!
Michelle says
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!
Kristi says
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.
Michelle says
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.
Naomi Burke says
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.
Michelle says
I'm honestly not sure. If you try it, I'd love to hear how it goes!
Ava says
This frosting was amazing! So sweet and yummy, went perfect with my chocolate cupcakes recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Brooke says
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!
Michelle says
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.
manuela says
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!
Michelle says
I've never tried it, but I'd love to hear how it turns out if you do! Let me know!
Meghan says
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.
Michelle says
Can I ask what device you're on? Mobile?
Ilene Tillman says
If you click to print it, you can read the directions
Rona Compton says
Thank you. I made this frosting for my grandson's cupcakes. It's very sweet but he loved it.
Michelle says
Glad he liked it!
J. Todd says
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...
Michelle says
Yes, it does. I use the same Wilton gel paste coloring that I use for basically everything except chocolate.
Erika says
tried it, simple but i didn't love the overpowering butter flavor and not so much the marshmallow flavor :/ but my daughter loved it!!
Nina says
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?
Peggy says
Would I be able to use a kitchen torch to brown the icing?
Michelle says
I'm not sure as I haven't tried it. If you try it, let us know how it turns out!
Leslie says
Peggy have you tried torching this frosting? I would be interested for Smores cupcakes
Michelle says
No, I have not. I would love to hear how it turns out if you do though!
Ka says
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!
Michelle says
I believe it will stay pretty soft.
Mais says
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? I’m trying to determine if one batch is enough or if I’ll need to double it. Thanks!
Michelle says
Yes
APG says
Would this filling be stiff enough to use in making whoopie pies?
Michelle says
I haven't tried it, but I would say that it would probably work really well.
Kathy says
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.
M says
Tried the Marshmallow Forsting and it tasted great! But the shape did not hold at all, so it made things very messy.