Marshmallow Buttercream is a remarkably light and fluffy frosting that is easy to make using only four simple ingredients. With its perfect level of sweetness, it is ideal for topping cakes and cupcakes, as well as filling sandwich cookies. For a classic buttercream recipe, try my American Buttercream Frosting.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Unsalted butter tends to be fresher and has a more consistent flavor when compared to salted butter, which can have varying amounts of salt depending on the brand.
Sugar: Confectioners’ sugar, also known as powdered sugar or icing sugar, is used in buttercream because it dissolves quickly and easily. Thus, it results in a creamy frosting like this one!
Almond Extract: Almond extract is a concentrate made from the bitter almond oil. A little bit goes a long way when it comes to adding a sweet, nutty flavor to recipes. If you don’t have any on hand, you can substitute vanilla extract. If you have a nut allergy you can also use Imitation Almond Extract which is typically not made with almonds. Be sure to check the ingredients.
Marshmallow Creme: Marshmallow creme, or marshmallow fluff, is a sweet and gooey spreadable concoction that tastes like marshmallows. Since this is a marshmallow buttercream, we can’t leave this out!
How to Use Marshmallow Buttercream
Marshmallow Buttercream is a delicious and versatile frosting that can be used to frost cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods, as well as for filling sandwich cookies. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it:
- Neapolitan Spritz Cookies
- Chocolate Cupcakes
- Perfect White Cake
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Salted Caramel Brownie Marshmallow Hi-Hats
- Ginger Sandwich Cookies
How to Store Marshmallow Buttercream
Store marshmallow buttercream in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to a week. When ready to enjoy, first, let the frosting come to room temperature before mixing it up to get it light and fluffy again. For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.
The BEST Marshmallow Buttercream
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (500 g) confectioners' sugar
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 jars (7 ounces each) marshmallow creme or fluff
Instructions
- To a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, add butter. Mix on medium speed until the butter is light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add in almond extract.
- Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, about a ½ cup at a time. Once all is added, mix on high for 2-3 minutes.
- Once fully combined, gently fold the marshmallow creme into the frosting by hand. Can be used immediately or refrigerated until ready to use.
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
Don’t miss this frosting in my Ginger Sandwich Cookies!
I love your recipes and have tried so many! I absolutely love your Ding Dong cake recipe and have made it a few times and it’s a hit. I’m curious…could this be used as a filling in the Ding Dong cake? I don’t know what I did wrong when I made the filling for it but it didn’t turn out. Just curious if this could work.
Yes, it should work great! Here is a whole post on ermine frosting, with tips & tricks!
https://iambaker.net/ermine-frosting/
Thank you so much!!
Can I torch this frosting for smores cupcakes?
Sure
This is the best buttercream I’ve ever tried! Do you have a recipe to make a chocolate version or can you help me tweak this one if you’ve ever made it chocolate? I’m using it as filling for cream horns!! Thank you!
Trying to determine what 8 servings “looks” like. Will one batch cover a “smash cake” for a first birthday that will have three 6-inch layers? Will this sit out without melting and sliding off the cake?
How many cupcakes can you frost with one batch, assuming you are piping them like the picture? Thank you!
This came out so good! I used it for s’mores cake jars! I am looking at trying some dairy free recipes and wondered if I could use vegan butter for this?
Hi there! I’m also trying g to get a feel for how much buttercream this makes? I’m guessing, based on the amt of butter, this is enough for an 8″ 3-layer cake? THANKS!!
Hi Lisa- Yes, there will be enough frosting for an 8″ 3-layer cake. 🙂
I just tried this and its not thick enough to spread … I basically poured it on the cake , I follow the recipe exactly , what happened?
Sorry that happend to you Belinda! If you used the ingredients in the recipe:
1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, softened
4 cups (500 g) confectioners’ sugar
½ teaspoon almond extract
2 jars (7 ounces each) marshmallow creme or fluff
It will not produce a runny frosting that is pourable.
Was your butter melted? Did you heat the marshmallow fluff?
Did you add any other extracts or liquid?
That is way too sweet!!!! 😞 I was expecting a fluffy light whipped icing. This is heavy and very sweet!
This is Marshmallow Buttercream. Not sure why you would expect whipped icing.