Get ready to create the most divine, cloud-like frosting you’ve ever tasted! This Strawberry Marshmallow Frosting is an absolute dream come true. It’s incredibly fluffy, perfectly sweet, and packed with authentic strawberry flavor. Forget artificial-tasting frostings; this recipe uses real fruit goodness to create a topping that’s perfect for everything from cupcakes to layer cakes. We’re combining the creamy texture of classic buttercream with the light, airy quality of marshmallow creme for a truly unforgettable treat.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, this recipe is straightforward and delivers stunning results every time. It pipes beautifully, holds its shape, and will instantly elevate any dessert it touches. Let’s whip up a batch of this amazing strawberry fluff frosting!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Marshmallow Frosting
- Incredibly Fluffy Texture: The marshmallow creme gives this frosting a light, airy, and cloud-like consistency that’s unlike any other.
- Intense Strawberry Flavor: We use freeze-dried strawberries to pack in a powerful, authentic fruit flavor without adding extra liquid, which keeps the frosting stable.
- Perfectly Stable for Decorating: Despite its delicate texture, this frosting is sturdy enough to pipe beautiful swirls on cupcakes and frost layer cakes.
- Quick and Easy to Make: With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up this delightful frosting in under 20 minutes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on a few key ingredients to achieve its signature flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s properly softened to room temperature for a smooth, creamy base.
- Marshmallow Creme (or Fluff): This is the secret to the frosting’s incredible light and fluffy texture.
- Powdered Sugar: Sift it beforehand to prevent any lumps and ensure a silky-smooth consistency.
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries: The star of the show! Blitz them into a fine powder for intense, concentrated strawberry flavor and a beautiful natural pink color.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the sweet, fruity flavors.
- Salt: A small pinch perfectly balances the sweetness.
How to Make Strawberry Marshmallow Frosting Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to create the perfect batch of fluffy marshmallow buttercream. It’s a straightforward process that yields spectacular results.
- Prepare the Strawberry Powder: Place the freeze-dried strawberries into a blender or food processor. Pulse until they form a fine powder. For an extra-fine texture, you can sift the powder to remove any large seeds.
- Cream the Butter: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed for about 2-3 minutes until it’s light, pale, and creamy.
- Add Marshmallow Creme and Vanilla: Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the marshmallow creme and vanilla extract to the butter. Beat on medium speed until everything is well combined and smooth.
- Gradually Add Sugar: With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time. Wait until each addition is incorporated before adding the next. This prevents a sugar cloud in your kitchen!
- Incorporate Strawberry Powder: Add the strawberry powder and the pinch of salt. Mix on low until just combined.
- Whip the Frosting: Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and whip for 3-5 minutes. The frosting will become noticeably lighter, fluffier, and will increase in volume. Don’t skip this step; it’s key to that signature airy texture!
- Use Immediately: Your Strawberry Marshmallow Frosting is now ready to be used. Pipe it onto cupcakes, spread it on a cake, or use it as a filling for cookies like these amazing Chocolate Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cookies.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Fluffy Frosting
- Use Room Temperature Butter: This is crucial. Butter that is too cold won’t cream properly, and butter that is too warm or melted will result in a greasy, runny frosting. It should be soft enough to make a slight indent with your finger.
- Don’t Under-Whip: The final whipping stage is what incorporates air into the frosting, making it exceptionally light and fluffy. Give it the full 3-5 minutes.
- Sift Your Dry Ingredients: Sifting both the powdered sugar and the strawberry powder is the best way to guarantee a perfectly smooth, professional-quality frosting.
- Adjust Consistency if Needed: If your frosting feels too stiff, you can add a teaspoon of milk or heavy cream at a time until you reach the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
Delicious Ways to Use Your Frosting
This Strawberry Marshmallow Frosting is incredibly versatile! It’s the perfect finishing touch for so many desserts. Try it on classic vanilla cupcakes, a rich chocolate layer cake, or as a delightful topping for sugar cookies. It would also be a fantastic complement to a dessert like our Pink Coconut Snowball Cake Bars or even as a surprise filling in a vanilla cake. For a different but equally delicious frosting, check out our Swiss Meringue Buttercream Recipe.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
This frosting can be made ahead of time! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. When you’re ready to use it, let it come to room temperature on the counter for about an hour, then re-whip it with your mixer for a few minutes to restore its light and fluffy texture. You can also freeze the frosting for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature and re-whipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this is a great make-ahead recipe. You can prepare it and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just be sure to let it soften at room temperature and give it a good whip with your mixer before using to make it fluffy again.
While you can use a thick, reduced strawberry puree, we highly recommend freeze-dried strawberry powder. It provides a much more intense, authentic strawberry flavor without adding extra liquid, which can make the frosting unstable or runny.
Store the frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or in the freezer for up to three months. Before using, let it come to room temperature and then re-whip it for a few minutes to restore its original fluffy texture.
Yes, absolutely! Despite its light and airy texture, this frosting holds its shape beautifully, making it perfect for piping swirls on cupcakes, decorating layer cakes, and other detailed pastry work.
The combination of creaming the butter until it’s light and airy, plus the addition of marshmallow creme (fluff), is the secret. The final step of whipping the frosting for 3-5 minutes incorporates air, resulting in its signature cloud-like, fluffy texture.
The Best Strawberry Marshmallow Frosting Recipe
Strawberry Marshmallow Frosting (The Best Fluffy Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Place the freeze-dried strawberries into a blender or food processor. Pulse until they form a fine powder. Sift the powder to remove any large seeds for the smoothest texture.
- In a large bowl with a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light, pale, and creamy.
- Add the marshmallow creme and vanilla extract to the butter. Beat on medium speed until fully combined and smooth.
- Turn the mixer to low and gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, about one cup at a time, mixing until each addition is incorporated.
- Add the strawberry powder and salt, and mix on low until just combined.
- Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and whip for 3-5 minutes until the frosting is very light, airy, and has increased in volume.
- Use immediately to frost cakes, cupcakes, or other desserts.
Notes
Don't Skimp on Whipping: The final whip is what makes this frosting so light and fluffy.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Let it come to room temperature and re-whip before using.
Share Your Creations!
We are so excited for you to try this Strawberry Marshmallow Frosting recipe! It’s a true game-changer and is sure to become a new favorite. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We love hearing from you! For more delicious recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.
