Fluffy, whole-food, melt-in-your-mouth magic for cocoa, gifting, and Christmas joy.

There are few things in life more magical than watching homemade marshmallows come to life.
A bowl of clear liquid transforms into a cloud of soft, snowy fluff—and suddenly it feels like Christmas isn’t just coming…it’s already here.

Welcome to Day 2 of our 25 Days of Simple Christmas countdown. Today we’re making Honey-Sweetened Marshmallows, one of the most comforting, nostalgic treats of the whole season.

These marshmallows are worlds away from store-bought.
They’re soft.
They’re pillowy.
They actually taste like something—warm vanilla, gentle honey sweetness, and the kind of cozy richness that melts beautifully into a mug of hot cocoa.

And in true The Simple Pursuit fashion, they’re made with whole, real ingredients. No corn syrup, no preservatives, no artificial colors or flavors. Just simple goodness—exactly the way homemade should feel.

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A Sweet Memory: The Year My Kids Discovered Real Marshmallows

I’ll never forget the first time my kids realized that marshmallows didn’t just “come from the store.”

We were in the kitchen one December afternoon—Christmas music playing, the tree twinkling in the background, a light snowfall outside. I had my mixer running, the honey bubbling gently on the stove, and my oldest wandered in, wide-eyed, asking, “What is that?”

When I told her, “We’re making marshmallows,” she looked stunned—like I’d just told her we were making our own snowflakes.

She pulled up a chair to watch.
Then my younger one joined.
Then my husband.

And when the marshmallow mixture whipped into that glossy white fluff, the whole family let out this little gasp of wonder.

We poured it into the pan together, smoothed the top, dusted it with arrowroot, and waited impatiently for it to set. (If you know, you know… the waiting is the hardest part.)

That night, we sliced them into squares, dropped them into steaming mugs of cocoa, and sat around the tree while the marshmallows slowly melted into tiny white swirls.

That moment became a tradition—our “marshmallow night.”
Now, every December, the kids ask, “When are we making the fluffy ones?”

This whole season is made of moments like that.
Simple. Slow. Magical in their own way.

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Why Honey-Sweetened Marshmallows Belong in Your Homemade Pantry

1. They melt like a dream

Real honey gives these marshmallows a softness that’s unbeatable. No stiff, chewy texture—just melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

2. They’re naturally sweetened

No corn syrup. No refined sugar. Just pure honey—and just enough of it.

3. Perfect for cocoa, gifting, and holiday treats

Bag them for teachers, stack them in jars for neighbors, or serve them during Christmas movie nights.

4. Kids LOVE helping with these

From dusting the pan to cutting the squares, this is a family-friendly activity that turns into a memory.

5. They remind you how simple real food can be

There’s something grounding about making treats with ingredients you actually recognize.

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Honey-Sweetened Marshmallows (Whole-Food Version)

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons gelatin (We use grassfed)
• ½ cup cold water (for blooming)
• 1 cup honey
• ½ cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Arrowroot powder for dusting

Instructions

1. Bloom the gelatin:
   In a stand mixer bowl, sprinkle gelatin over the ½ cup cold water.
   Let it sit while you prepare the honey mixture.
2. Make the syrup:
   In a saucepan, heat honey and ½ cup warm water over medium heat.
   Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 8–10 minutes.
3. Whip it all together:
   Slowly pour the hot honey mixture into the gelatin while your mixer runs on low.
   Increase speed to high and whip for 10–12 minutes until the mixture turns bright white, glossy, and fluffy.
4. Add vanilla:
   Mix for another 30 seconds.
5. Pour to set:
   Spread into a greased or parchment-lined 8×8 inch dish.
   Dust with arrowroot powder.
6. Let set 4 hours:
   (Or overnight—if you have the self-control.)
7. Cut into squares:
   Dust edges with arrowroot to keep them from sticking.

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My Favorite Ways to Use These Marshmallows

• Floating on top of our Day 1 Hot Cocoa Mix
• Roasting over the wood stove on Christmas Eve
• Cutting into stars or trees with mini cookie cutters
• Packaging in clear bags with red twine for neighbor gifts
• Sneaking one while wrapping presents at midnight (no judgment)

There’s something about homemade marshmallows that feels… childlike. Joyful. Pure.
And isn’t that what the holidays are all about?

Day 2 is complete — and tomorrow, we move to Day 3: Soft Sugar Cookies. A simple, nostalgic recipe perfect for decorating with the kids.