Fluffy Cloud Cookies

Marshmallow Cookies are a delightful fusion of classic chewy cookies and pillowy, sweet marshmallows. Each bite promises an irresistible combination of soft, golden cookie dough generously studded with mini marshmallows that melt into gooey pockets of sweetness. Topped with perfectly toasted marshmallows, these cookies offer a decadent texture and flavor profile that makes them an absolute favorite for any occasion.

Crafting these homemade marshmallow cookies is surprisingly simple, yielding an unbelievably delicious result that rivals any bakery treat. You’ll adore the soft, chewy texture of the cookie base, which perfectly complements the rich, gooey bursts of melted mini marshmallows throughout. This recipe is an absolute must-try if you have a bag of marshmallows lingering in your pantry and are looking for an exciting way to use them. Baking cookies from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated, and this recipe proves it. If you enjoy experimenting with cookie recipes, you might also love our Brown Sugar Cookie Recipe and Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe for more delightful homemade treats.

Why You’ll Love These Marshmallow Cookies

There are so many reasons to fall in love with this marshmallow cookie recipe. First and foremost, the entire process comes together effortlessly, with no chilling time needed for the dough. This means you can satisfy your cookie cravings almost instantly, making it perfect for spontaneous baking sessions or last-minute dessert needs. You only need a handful of basic ingredients, most of which are likely already staples in your pantry. We’re confident you’ll have everything on hand to whip up a batch of these glorious cookies!

Beyond their ease of preparation, the texture of these cookies is absolutely divine, and the taste is truly unbeatable. Imagine a cookie that’s crispy at the edges, wonderfully soft and chewy in the center, and bursting with incredibly gooey pockets of melted marshmallow with every bite. The toasted marshmallows on top add another layer of flavor and a beautiful golden finish. The entire family will adore these soft, sweet, and utterly delicious cookies. They’re perfect for birthday parties, holiday gatherings, potlucks, or simply as a comforting treat with a glass of milk. For even more marshmallow-infused delights, explore our recipes for Deep Fried Marshmallows, Deep Fried S’mores, Marshmallow Fondant Recipe, and Waffle Cone S’mores.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Marshmallow Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of our cookies. For the best results and a light texture, always measure your flour accurately. We recommend spooning the flour into your measuring cup and then leveling it off with a straight edge, rather than scooping directly from the bag, which can compact the flour and lead to a denser cookie.
• Baking Soda: This leavening agent is crucial for giving the cookies their signature soft and chewy texture. It helps the cookies rise slightly and spread beautifully. If you ever find yourself out, check out our guide on the Best Baking Soda Substitutes.
• Butter: We prefer unsalted butter as it gives you more control over the overall saltiness of the cookies. Ensuring your butter is softened at room temperature is key for proper creaming with the sugar, leading to a light and airy dough. You can use regular dairy butter or a non-dairy alternative if preferred.
• Brown Sugar: This ingredient is essential for that wonderfully chewy cookie texture and adds a deep, caramel-like flavor due to its molasses content. We find it creates a richer, more complex taste compared to white sugar. You can even try our Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe for an extra special touch.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract is non-negotiable for enhancing the overall flavor profile of these cookies. Its warm, aromatic notes complement the sweetness of the marshmallows perfectly.
• Large Egg: A single large egg helps bind all the ingredients together, adds moisture, and contributes to the cookie’s structure. Make sure your egg is at room temperature for better emulsification with the butter and sugar, resulting in a smoother, more evenly baked cookie.
• Mini Marshmallows: The star of the show! Miniature marshmallows are ideal for this recipe as their small size ensures that you get delightful gooey pockets in every single bite, both inside the cookie and beautifully toasted on top.

You’ll find the complete, precise list of ingredients and their exact measurements for these Marshmallow Cookies in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Creative Additions and Substitutions

While these Marshmallow Cookies are absolutely fantastic on their own, they also serve as a wonderful canvas for culinary creativity. Feel free to experiment with these delicious additions and clever substitutions to customize your batch:

• Sprinkles: Add a festive touch by topping your cookies with colorful sprinkles before baking. This is perfect for birthday celebrations, holidays, or any occasion that calls for a little extra joy.
• Marshmallow Fluff: For an even gooier, more “stuffed” cookie experience, consider substituting Homemade Marshmallow Fluff for the mini marshmallows within the dough. This creates a uniquely soft and chewy center.
• Large Marshmallows: Don’t have mini marshmallows on hand? No problem! Simply take larger marshmallows and cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces to incorporate into the dough. Aim for pieces roughly the size of mini marshmallows for even distribution.
• Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies (S’mores Inspired): Transform these into a s’mores-like dream by folding chocolate chips or chocolate chunks into the cookie dough. Semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips work wonderfully, adding a rich counterpoint to the sweetness of the marshmallows.
• Butterscotch: For a different flavor profile, mix in butterscotch chips along with or instead of chocolate chips. Their buttery, caramel notes pair beautifully with the marshmallow.
• Nuts: Introduce a delightful crunch and nutty flavor by adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the cookie dough. These pair particularly nicely with the sweetness of the marshmallows.
• Cocoa Powder: To create a delicious chocolate marshmallow cookie, add about ⅓ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder and ¼ cup of hot chocolate mix to your dry ingredients. This will give you a rich, chocolatey cookie base.
• Melted Chocolate Drizzle: Once your cookies are baked and fully cooled, elevate their appearance and taste with a decadent drizzle of melted chocolate. Melt chocolate chips smoothly and use a spoon or piping bag to create an elegant finish.
• Gluten-Free: Easily adapt this recipe to be gluten-free by substituting your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Ensure your chosen blend contains xanthan gum for optimal texture, or add a small amount if it doesn’t. You can find more gluten-free dessert recipes here.
• Vegan: To make these cookies vegan, simply swap out the butter for a good quality plant-based butter (like coconut oil or vegan butter sticks) and ensure you use gelatin-free marshmallows. You may also need to use a flax egg or other egg substitute if you prefer.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Delicious Marshmallow Cookies

• Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when the cookies go in, promoting even baking. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Brown Sugar. In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the softened butter and brown sugar on medium speed. Continue mixing until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and noticeably lighter in color, typically taking 2-3 minutes. This process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ soft texture.

Step 3: Incorporate Egg and Vanilla. Next, add the large room-temperature egg and the vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix on medium-low speed until all ingredients are well combined and no streaks of egg remain. There’s no need for a separate bowl for this step, keeping your kitchen cleaner!

Step 4: Mix in Dry Ingredients. Reduce your mixer speed to low. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can develop the gluten too much, leading to tough cookies. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as you mix, ensuring all dry ingredients are fully incorporated into the dough.

Step 5: Fold in Marshmallows. Gently stir the majority of the mini marshmallows into the cookie batter. Use a spatula to fold them in carefully, distributing them evenly without crushing them. Remember to set aside some extra marshmallows – you’ll need them for topping the cookies later!

Step 6: Scoop, Shape, and Top. Use a cookie scoop (approximately 2 tablespoons in size) to portion out uniform balls of dough. This helps ensure consistent baking. Place the cookie dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading. Take the marshmallows you set aside earlier and gently press 2-3 mini marshmallows onto the top of each cookie dough ball. This creates that beautiful toasted marshmallow topping.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection. Place your baking sheets on the top rack of your preheated oven. Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Baking on the top rack encourages the marshmallows on top to become beautifully toasted and slightly caramelized, adding an extra layer of deliciousness. Keep a close eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary.

Step 8: Cool Before Serving. Once baked, it’s crucial to let the cookies set on the hot baking tray for 5-10 minutes. This allows the cookies to firm up slightly and the melted marshmallows to stabilize. After this initial cooling period, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bottoms from getting soggy and ensures a perfect texture.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy! Your homemade Marshmallow Cookies are now ready to be savored! Enjoy them warm for maximum gooiness, or once they’ve cooled completely for a chewier experience. They are perfect with a cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk.

Storage and Freezing Tips

To keep your Marshmallow Cookies fresh and delicious for as long as possible, proper storage is key.

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will maintain their best quality for up to 1 week. Placing a slice of plain white bread in the container can help keep them soft, as the bread will absorb moisture and keep the cookies from drying out.

For prolonged storage, these cookies freeze beautifully. First, allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze for about an hour until solid. Once firm, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or for a quicker indulgence, gently warm them in the microwave for a few seconds to restore their gooey center.

Expert Tips for Marshmallow Cookie Perfection

Achieving the perfect Marshmallow Cookie is simple with these expert tips and tricks:

• Monitor Marshmallows Closely: As the cookies bake, keep a watchful eye on the marshmallows. If any marshmallows melt and begin to slide off the top of the cookies, use a spoon to gently nudge them back into place. This ensures you get that beautiful, toasted marshmallow topping on every single cookie.
• Utilize the Top Rack: Baking on the top rack of your oven is a deliberate strategy. The closer proximity to the top heating element ensures that the marshmallows on the cookies become perfectly toasted and slightly golden, adding a delicious caramelized flavor and appealing visual.
• Avoid Overmixing the Dough: This is a golden rule in cookie baking! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, which can result in tough, dense cookies instead of the desired soft and fluffy texture. Mix until just combined.
• Embrace Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you begin mixing. Room temperature butter creams more easily with sugar, creating an airy base, and room temperature eggs incorporate more smoothly into the batter, leading to a homogenous dough and more even baking.
• Use a Cookie Scoop for Uniformity: A cookie scoop is your best friend for making consistently sized cookies. This not only makes the process quicker but also ensures that all your cookies bake evenly, preventing some from burning while others are still underdone. If you don’t have a scoop, use a tablespoon to measure out approximately 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie, then roll them into balls.
• Chill Sticky Dough (If Necessary): If you find your cookie dough is particularly sticky and difficult to handle, don’t hesitate to chill it. Place the dough in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. This will firm it up, making it much easier to scoop and form into neat balls.
• Line Your Pans: Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents the cookies from sticking, ensures even heat distribution, and makes cleanup significantly easier. Plus, the melted marshmallows are less likely to adhere stubbornly to the surface.
• Doneness Cues: Look for cookies with slightly golden brown edges but centers that still look a little soft. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet, ensuring a perfectly soft and chewy interior.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give your cookies space to spread. Placing too many on one baking sheet can lead to uneven baking and cookies sticking together.

We genuinely hope you enjoy baking these fabulous Marshmallow Cookies! Once you’ve created your batch of gooey, chewy perfection, we’d love to hear about your experience. Please consider leaving a star review and a comment below to share how they turned out for you. Happy baking!