Our Best Gooey Marshmallow Recipes

Updated June 10, 2019
Alison Miksch

Summertime may be s'more season, but that doesn't mean you should only put your marshmallows between graham crackers and slabs of chocolate. Whether you're using regular marshmallows, miniature marshmallows, or marshmallow creme, adding marshmallows to a dish adds texture and flavor you just can't get anywhere else. Get the most out of your mallows with these decadent recipes. 

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Ultimate Sweet and Salty Crispy Rice Treats

Credit: Time Inc. Video Studio

Ultimate Sweet and Salty Crispy Rice Treats Recipe

What sets these next-level crispy bars apart from your average Rice Krispies Treat? Well, in addition to the traditional buttery-sweet marshmallow and rice cereal base, we mixed in kettle-cooked potato chips for added crunch and a salty kick, upped the decadence with chocolate-covered peanuts, and added another level of sweetness with toasty graham crackers. In other words, we do not use the word “ultimate” lightly. Enjoy these crispy rice treats for an extra-special snack or after-dinner indulgence. 

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S'mores Cookie Cake

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

S'mores Cookie Cake Recipe

This giant cookie is a sweet, indulgent treat that tastes like a traditional campfire s'more. The cookie base is soft and gooey when warm, but firms up after cooling. Bonus: Little kids will be spared a scorched marshmallow or burned fingers. 

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Copycat Little Debbie Oatmeal Crème Pies

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey

Copycat Little Debbie Oatmeal Crème Pies Recipe

Is this recipe an exact replica of Little Debbie Oatmeal Crème Pies? No. These are better. Rather than thin cakes, we went for oatmeal cookies that pack an almost peanut-butter-like flavor without any nuts. The crème filling completely nails what we love about the prepackaged pies, but takes things further with an almost airy, marshmallow-based consistency. If that doesn’t convince you, preparing these at home is just as quick (if not faster) than a grocery run.

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Our Best Homemade Marshmallows

Credit: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller

Our Best Homemade Marshmallows Recipe

For smooth slices, dust your knife and the individual marshmallows in powdered sugar between each cut.

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Pumpkin Fudge

Pumpkin Fudge Recipe

These sweet little pumpkin fudge squares feature canned pumpkin, white chocolate, and marshmallow creme.

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Caramel-Marshmallow Brownies

Caramel-Marshmallow Brownies Recipe

Sweet and gooey cookie bars are incredibly easy to make and pretty to serve. These brownies are sure to be a hit at any gathering, from birthday parties to baby showers, or as an after-dinner treat for your family.

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Marshmallow Topping

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Marshmallow Topping Recipe

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Mississippi Mud Cupcakes

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Mississippi Mud Cupcakes Recipe

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Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue

Credit: Ellen Silverman; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue Recipe

Wow guests this weekend with a sky-high marshmallow meringue on this sweet potato pie. Be sure to lightly pack the mashed sweet potatoes in your measuring cup for a fluffy filling.

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Heart-Shaped Marshmallows

Credit: Kate Sears

Heart-Shaped Marshmallows Recipe

Marshmallows in the shape of hearts are the perfect sweet treat to celebrate Valentine's Day.

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The Ultimate S’mores Cookie

Credit: Time Inc. Video Studios

The Ultimate S’mores Cookie Recipe

These cookies taste just like a s'more, no campfire required. The graham crackers really come through in the cookie, while the melty chocolate melds with toasted marshmallow during the baking process. 

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Marshmallow Popcorn Treats with Dark Chocolate Drizzle

Credit: Jason Varney; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Marshmallow Popcorn Treats with Dark Chocolate Drizzle Recipe

Reminiscent of classic popcorn balls, these salty-sweet treats make for awesome low-fat, lunch box-friendly snacking. Make a batch with the kids this weekend to enjoy throughout the week.

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Rocky Road Chocolate Chia Pudding

Credit: Thomas J. Story; Prop Styling: Joni Noe

Rocky Road Chocolate Chia Pudding Recipe

Chia seeds give this no-cook dessert a silky, lightly chewy texture like tapioca pudding. The recipe comes from the outdoor cooking experts behind the blog Dirty Gourmet, dirtygourmet.com.

GEAR 2-qt. backpacking saucepan, Nalgene bottle (for measuring), spork, backpacking ladle, small grater (or small cutting board and knife)

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Vanilla Marshmallows

Credit: Sheri Giblin; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling: Amy Stone

Vanilla Marshmallows Recipe

Make your own fluffy, vanilla, sugary goodness this holiday season. These make a great gift, along with homemade hot chocolate mix. Cut the marshmallows into bigger squares for smores during the warmer months. Gelatin can be found on the baking aisle of your local grocery store.

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Marshmallow Nut Chocolate Cake

Marshmallow Nut Chocolate Cake Recipe

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Fudgy Marshmallow-Topped Brownies

Fudgy Marshmallow-Topped Brownies Recipe

If you love a delicious brownie, then this dessert recipe is for you. Classic brownies topped with marshmallows and chocolate chips make for decadent desserts worthy of a dinner party or a simple night in with family.

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Orange Dreamsicle Crispy Treats

Credit: Melina Hammer; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

Orange Dreamsicle Crispy Treats Recipe

From the Kitchen of Robin Wilson, simplysouthernbaking.com, Altamonte Springs, FL

"You can also use yellow and pink food coloring gel to make peach. Practice on a piece of wax paper, adding a little at a time to achieve your perfect shade. I serve these to family and friends, and there's never a square left."

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Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Credit: Oxmoor House

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies Recipe

This hand-held version of the classic cake is a yummy favorite for children of all ages--guaranteed to generate smiles.

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Mississippi Mud S'Mores-Fudge Pie

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Mississippi Mud S'Mores-Fudge Pie Recipe

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Gingered Sweet Potato Soup with Marshmallow and Peanut Topper

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Kira Corbin

Gingered Sweet Potato Soup with Marshmallow and Peanut Topper Recipe

Enjoy the taste of sweet potato casserole in soup form by topping pureed sweet potatoes with unsalted peanuts and mini marshmallows. 

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Double Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes

Credit: Oxmoor House

Double Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes Recipe

These double chocolate cupcakes have a wonderful secret: They're filled with marshmallow creme. The filling process takes a few minutes, so we've saved you time by using canned frosting: Triple Chocolate Fudge Chip frosting, to be exact.

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Fluffy Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting

Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Fluffy Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting Recipe

A fluffy buttercream that is perfect for frosting cupcakes and is super fluffy and airy This frosting only takes a few minutes of your time to make.

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Sweet Potato-Marshmallow Sandwich Cookies

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Sweet Potato-Marshmallow Sandwich Cookies Recipe

Sweet Potato-Marshmallow Sandwich Cookies encompass all the flavors of the holiday season. These creamy, buttery cookies make well-received gifts, too.

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Joe's Molten Marshmallow-Chocolate Cakes

Credit: Leigh Beisch

Joe's Molten Marshmallow-Chocolate Cakes Recipe

Thirteen-year-old Joe Kozal was impressed by a molten chocolate cake in a restaurant but thought he could do better. Instead of chocolate, Joe's cakes ooze melted marshmallow.

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Edible Marshmallow Paint

Credit: Meredith Food Studios

Edible Marshmallow Paint Recipe

This creamy finger paint is cute and so easy the kids can make it themselves. You can get several batches out of one bag of marshmallows, too, so it’s much cheaper than any finger paint you’d find in a store. If things get messy during art time, all you have to do is lick your fingers. The stickiness hangs around, so don’t use this for anything you’d like to keep for more than a day or two. 

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Rocky Road Popcorn Balls

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Rocky Road Popcorn Balls Recipe

Guess what? This is a whole-grain dessert. To keep the ­stickiness at bay, wear latex gloves coated with cooking spray as you shape the popcorn balls.

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Grasshopper Ice Cream Pie

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Melanie J. Clarke and Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Grasshopper Ice Cream Pie Recipe

This deceptively rich dessert offers a refreshing minty contrast to a grilled dinner.

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Peanut Butter Mississippi Mud Brownies

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Peanut Butter Mississippi Mud Brownies Recipe

These Mississippi Mud Brownies are rich, chocolaty, and drizzled in peanut butter! What more could you want in a brownie?

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Coconut Layer Cake with Marshmallow Frosting

Credit: Oxmoor House

Coconut Layer Cake with Marshmallow Frosting Recipe

Swirls of rich, fluffy marshmallow frosting and flakes of toasted coconut are the crowning glory of this luscious layer cake. Did we mention it's completely gluten-free?

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Mississippi Mud Deep-Dish Skillet Cookie

Credit: Alison Miksch

Mississippi Mud Deep-Dish Skillet Cookie Recipe

Mississippi Mud, a traditional Southern sheet cake filled with marshmallows and topped with decadent chocolate frosting gets a makeover in this skillet cookie dessert. Traditional Mud cakes sometimes add pecans, which would also make a great addition here for an added crunch throughout the warm, gooey center. Serve with a scoop of chocolate or vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert indulgence.

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