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With just four ingredients, this EASY Marshmallow Fondant recipe is inexpensive, easy to make, and can be used for any creative cake decorating project! Plus, it tastes great!
Want a cake recipe to decorate with fondant? Keep it simple with a homemade Yellow or Chocolate cake or make it fancy and fill your cake with Chocolate Mousse!
What I love about this recipe:
- Inexpensive: Store-bought fondant can be pretty expensive but this fondant recipe only costs about $2 for per batch (about 3lbs of fondant)!
- Fast: Only takes about 10 minutes to make homemade fondant!
- Texture: This fondant is perfectly smooth, pliable, and can be made any color you'd like! It is perfect for cake decorating!
How to make Marshmallow Fondant:
Microwave: Place marshmallows and water in a microwave safe bowl and microwave.
Mix in Powdered Sugar: Grease your hands with shortening and use your hands to mix in powdered sugar with the melted marshmallow mixture.
Knead: Grease your hands and your counter-top generously with shortening. Turn marshmallow mixture onto counter and start kneading it like you would dough. Add more powdered sugar as needed and re-grease your hands and the counter-top as needed until the dough is smooth and soft.
4. Add color (if desired) and Roll Out: Roll it out thinly (about ⅛ inch thick) for covering cakes or creating decorations.
How much Fondant do I need to cover my cake?
This recipe makes about 3 pounds (48 oz) of fondant. Here is a conversion chart to help you determine how much fondant you need to cover your cake.
Coloring and Storing Instructions:
To Color: Add a little icing color to your desired amount of fondant. Knead the fondant with your hands until it absorbs all of the color (I recommend wearing plastic gloves). Add more color as needed to reach the desired hue.
To Store: Coat homemade marshmallow fondant with a thin layer of shortening then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Place in a resealable bag with all the air squeezed out. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Recipe Variations:
- Stovetop instead of microwave: Add water and marshmallows to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir well until melted. Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar.
- Substitute large marshmallow: To substitute large marshmallows, use a 16 oz. bag of large marshmallows. Follow directions exactly, using a little more water and/or powdered sugar in step 6 to find the right consistency for a smooth dough.
- To use a stand mixer: If you don't want to knead the dough with your hands, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook. First grease the bowl and the hook with shortening. Then dust the bowl gently with powdered sugar. Add marshmallows and slowly add the rest of the powdered sugar (about ½ cup at a time), mixing between each addition.
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Marshmallow Fondant
Ingredients
- 16 ounce package mini marshmallows, (8 ½ cups)
- 2-5 Tablespoons water
- 8 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup vegetable shortening
Instructions
- Place marshmallows and 2 tablespoons of water in a large microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave for 30 seconds on high; stir until mixed well. Continue microwaving in 30 second intervals until melted and smooth.
- Place about 5 cups of the powdered sugar on top of the melted marshmallow mixture and gently fold it into the marshmallows.
- Grease your hands and your counter generously with shortening. Turn marshmallow mixture onto counter and start kneading it like you would dough.
- Add more confectioners' sugar as needed and re-grease your hands and the counter as needed.
- If the marshmallow fondant is tearing easily, it is too dry; add water (about ½ tablespoon at a time) kneading it until fondant forms a firm, smooth elastic ball that will stretch without tearing.
Notes
- Stovetop instead of microwave: Add water and marshmallows to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir well until melted. Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar.
- Substitute large marshmallow: To substitute large marshmallows, use a 16 oz. bag of large marshmallows. Follow directions exactly, using a little more water and/or powdered sugar in step 6 to find the right consistency for a smooth dough.
- To use a stand mixer: If you don't want to knead the dough with your hands, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook. Be sure to FIRST grease the bowl and the hook with shortening. Then dust the bowl gently with powdered sugar. Add marshmallows and slowly add the rest of the powdered sugar (about ½ cup at a time), mixing between each addition.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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*I originally shared this recipe December 2013. Updated April 2020 and July 2022.
I really like this recipe. The fondant came out smooth. I put vanilla extract in the fondant as I was kneeling the powdered sugar into the melted marshmallow. It worked just fine. I am saving this recipe for sure!
Easy to make and taste great! Wondering once refrigerated how long does it need to be out of refrigerator to go back to the original softness or is making it advance not good?
It should be pliable enough right out of the fridge, to be able to roll and shape. You could let it rest at room temp for 30 minutes or so if you need it softer.
Is it possible to use non-gel (liquid) food colouring to colour the fondant?
This is my go to recipe for fondant. It is so easy to make and so easy to work with. I have made a unicorn cake, a ice hockey cake, and a Rapunzel cake using this recipe. Perfect every time. The leftovers have become a favorite playdough for my daughter and her friends as well and it is much easier to clean up than playdough.
not a good consistency!
I made this in a small batch which, by the way, worked very well. However, instead of water, I used Rose water. The taste is absolutely delighful! Also, a quick tip: try freezer wrap vs greased countertop– glossy side up and clear or duct tape the ends. You will be amazed how easy it is to work fondant with no additional dusting or grease. Lauren, thank you for sharing. I have always purchased this very expensive product.
Can this fondant recipe be used to make cake decorations?
Yes, sure!
Baking a cake for my mom’s birthday. The fondant is PERFECT!
Thank you! This turned out lovely and I will be a hit at my daughter’s birthday party 😊
Can you use butter instead of vegitable shortening?
Butter contains a small portion of milk, shortening however does not and therefore works better for some things where grease is needed without the moisture. Hope this helps!
I’ve made with peppermint flavoring. It is lovely.