I made marshmallows with beer.
Not water. Beer.
That familiar brew from college, a casual drink now, the one some grandparents enjoyed on the porch. Beer isn’t for everyone, but used thoughtfully in recipes it can elevate a familiar treat.
No need to panic — beer marshmallows are not overwhelming. In fact, even if you’re not a big beer fan, these can win you over. The beer simply adds a subtle, complementary note to the usual marshmallow flavor.
Beer marshmallows are like other dishes that benefit from beer: braised meats, battered fish, or boozy cocktails. The beer enhances flavors without taking over, so you still get soft, pillowy marshmallows with a delicate twist.
I wasn’t sure I liked beer at first either, but I’ve discovered I do — maybe it’s an acquired taste, or maybe it’s just another excuse to enjoy more delicious food. Either way, these marshmallows were a revelation.
What do beer marshmallows taste like?
They melt like fluffy vanilla pillows with a faint, pleasant beer note. Some people jokingly say they “taste like college,” meaning a subtle, nostalgic hint rather than an intense beer flavor. The texture stays classic marshmallow — light, airy, and soft.
Hello, beer marshmallows!
They turned out adorable.
I dipped these marshmallows in both milk and dark chocolate. Visually they ended up looking very similar, but the flavor differences are there if you look for them. Topped with crunchy, salty pretzel crumbs, they make an excellent sweet-and-salty bite.
I’m pretty much in love with them and already thinking about making another uncut batch to cuddle up with — bouncy beer pillows for a sweet nap. It’s a silly thought, but you can see how fond I am of these treats.
There is, however, one problem: once they’re chocolate-covered and sprinkled with pretzel crumbs, you can’t stop eating them.
Beer Marshmallows
1 9 x 13 pan of marshmallows, cut as desired
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (Knox recommended)
- 1 cup cold, flat beer, divided
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large egg whites or reconstituted powdered egg whites
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups dark chocolate morsels
- 2 cups milk chocolate morsels
- hard sourdough pretzels, crushed
Instructions
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To flatten the beer, remove the cap and leave the bottle open overnight, or pour the beer into a bowl and whisk vigorously to release carbonation. Make sure the beer is cold.
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Oil a 9 x 13-inch baking pan and dust with powdered sugar to coat; set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer (whisk attachment preferred), combine 1/2 cup of the cold, flat beer and the gelatin. Stir gently and let it sit while you prepare the sugar syrup.
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In a medium saucepan combine the granulated sugar, the remaining beer, corn syrup, and salt. Heat over low, whisking until the sugar dissolves (3–5 minutes). Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil, watching carefully to prevent overflow. Boil until the mixture reaches 240°F (soft-ball stage), about 8–12 minutes. The syrup may take on a light brown color depending on the beer; the finished marshmallows will still be white.
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With the mixer running on low, carefully pour the hot sugar syrup into the gelatin. After all syrup is added, increase the speed to high and beat for 6–8 minutes until the mixture is white, fluffy, and increased in volume. While mixing, beat the egg whites in a separate bowl to stiff peaks (a hand mixer works well). Fold the egg whites and vanilla into the marshmallow mixture until just combined.
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Pour the sticky marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan. Use a spatula sprayed with non-stick spray to smooth the top. Dust with powdered sugar and let set for 3–5 hours until firm.
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When firm, invert the pan onto a cutting board and release the marshmallow slab. Cut into desired pieces. Melt milk and dark chocolate separately and crush pretzels. Dip each marshmallow into chocolate, then roll or sprinkle with pretzel crumbs. Let the chocolate set at room temperature. Store marshmallows in an airtight container for 1–2 weeks.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
I appreciate you so much!
Now who wants to guess what comes after beer marshmallows?