Easy to make, nutty, fudgy, sweet Tahini Marshmallows! If you’re new to making marshmallows, I got you covered! I shared an all-you-need-to-know post on all the basics of making homemade marshmallows a few years ago. In it, I detailed how to get PERFECT results every time, and I even showed how to substitute corn syrup. Since that post, I’ve shared several recipes for other marshmallow flavors too. Like these peppermint marshmallows, butterscotch marshmallows, chocolate marshmallows, butterscotch swirled marshmallows, orange blossom marshmallows etc. But these tahini flavored marshmallows… these babies are something else altogether! Tahini adds a lovely nuttiness and fudginess that make these marshmallows an absolute treat!
Ingredients to make tahini marshmallows
You can follow my marshmallow recipe for the basic marshmallow base. However, I swapped out corn syrup for some honey in these tahini marshmallows. Honey pairs really well with tahini, and I wanted the flavor of tahini to shine through.
White sugar
Important ingredient for marshmallows. However, if you’re looking to make sugar free marshmallows, the best option is to follow a sugar free marshmallow recipe for best results.
Honey
Instead of corn syrup, I use honey here. Honey will prevent the re-crystallization of sugar in the sugar syrup (to an extent). This prevents the sugar from seizing in the syrup.
Gelatin
Another key ingredient for making marshmallows. Gelatin is responsible for creating that light, fluffy texture in marshmallows. It’s also responsible for setting the marshmallow. I use powdered gelatin because it’s the most widely available. If you’d like to use gelatin leaves, the conversion can be a bit hit or miss. Usually 1 packet of gelatin is equal to 4 – 5 gold gelatin sheets. If you’re looking to make vegan marshmallows, do not substitute agar agar for gelatin. Please follow a vegan marshmallow recipe instead to make the base.
Tahini
This is the guest star that swoops in to steal the show here. Tahini is a paste made with ground sesame seeds. It has a delightfully savory and nutty flavor and is widely used in Mediterranean cuisine. I’ve shared a tahini ice cream recipe before as well, and it’s unlike any ice cream you’ve tasted before! Make sure the tahini is fresh and hasn’t gone rancid. You’re not going to like the results otherwise! You will need about 1/2 cup of tahini for this recipe. You can also use smooth peanut butter if you prefer.
Salt and vanilla
Both these ingredients enhance the flavor of marshmallows. Salt balances out the sweetness, and adds a little savory note to make the tahini flavor stand out even more. The vanilla also helps balance out the sweetness.
Confectioner’s sugar, and cornstarch (aka cornflour, outside the US)
A mixture of confectioner’s sugar and cornstarch is used to keep the marshmallows from sticking to each other, and also to keep the marshmallow from being exposed to air while it “cures” or sets. I call this mixture marshmallow dust. The ratio is forgiving. Add more confectioner’s sugar for more sweetness, or more cornstarch for less sweetness.
Recipe tips for tahini marshmallows
Let’s start with some crucial tips to help you get this recipe right. These are important, so read them carefully.
Make sure your bowls, saucepans and whisk attachments are free of any fat. This will interfere with how much volume your marshmallow mix can eventually produce. In contrast, all the rubber spatulas and offset spatulas that you’re using to scrape out and spread the marshmallow mix should have a thin layer of coconut oil or butter. This keeps the marshmallow mix from sticking to them too much. When making the sugar syrup, do not agitate the syrup too much. This can cause the sugar syrup to seize and make it unusable. Instead, gently swirl the pan to mix and redistribute the syrup in the pan. Make sure any sugar crystals on the sides of the saucepan are re-melted into the syrup. You can either brush the sides of the pan with cold water, or simmer the syrup with the lid on for a few minutes. Use a candy thermometer to check the syrup temperature for accurate results. See my baking basics article on cooked sugar stages for more information. Make sure the marshmallow mix is still warm when you’re done whisking it. This is because you have to fold tahini into the marshmallow, and a warm marshmallow mix is easier to manage. A cooled marshmallow mix is stiffer and stickier. Make sure the sharp knife that you use to cut the marshmallows is clean after each cut. Wipe it down with a damp cloth and then rub the blade very lightly with some coconut oil/butter. This keeps the knife from sticking to the marshmallow base, and will give you nice, clean cuts.
How to make tahini marshmallows
Making the marshmallow base is easy. Let’s quickly go through the steps.
Blooming the gelatin
Mix the water and gelatin in the mixing bowl. The gelatin granules will absorb the water, which is referred to as “blooming the gelatin”. This will ensure the gelatin dissolves better and distributes within the mixture well. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.
Making the sugar syrup
For best results, you will need a candy thermometer. But if you don’t have one, no worries! You can check the stages of the sugar syrup with the use of cold water in a little bowl or saucer. Here is how I check the sugar stages without a thermometer. Place the sugar, water, honey, and salt in a saucepan. Mix gently to make sure the sugar is saturated with the water. Heat over medium high heat to dissolve the sugar. I like to gently swirl the pot to agitate the mixture a little, so that the sugar melts faster. When the sugar is mostly melted, you may notice undissolved sugar crystals along the sides of the pot. If these sugar crystals are re-introduced to the syrup later on, the sugar syrup will seize (and this is no good, you’ll have to throw it out then). However, you can safely melt the sugar crystals back into the mixture in two ways. After this, keep cooking the sugar syrup until it reaches about 242 F (firm ball stage; 240 – 245 F). Make sure to swirl the pot gently from time to time to distribute the heat and cook the syrup evenly (while avoiding hot spots). You can read more about the firm ball stage (and how to test it without a thermometer) in my vanilla marshmallows post. As soon as the syrup in the pot reaches the right temperature, remove from heat and let it rest for a few seconds.
Making the marshmallow base
While the syrup rests, make sure your mixer has the mixing bowl and the large whisk attachment attached to it. Start the mixer at about speed 2 or 3. This will start breaking up the bloomed gelatin. Start to pour the sugar syrup in a steady stream, along the side of the bowl (in less than a minute). After introducing the hot syrup to the gelatin, you will notice the gelatin is dissolved. Now you can slowly increase the speed of your stand mixer to the highest speed. As the mixture is whisked vigorously, you will notice the volume of the mixture increasing as well. This is exactly what you want. Keep mixing the marshmallow mix until the volume has at least doubled, or almost 3 times the initial volume. The mixing bowl would be warm to the touch at this point. The length of time you should be whisking the marshmallow mix can range from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on various factors. Look for visual and tactile cues, such as the marshmallow mix growing in volume, the mixture starting to gather within the whisk, and the mixing bowl being warm.
Adding tahini and other flavors
Add the vanilla when the whisking is almost done, and let it mix in during the final 1 – 2 minutes. This ensures the vanilla is evenly spread through the marshmallow mix. There are TWO ways to add tahini. Both of these methods are acceptable, but you do have to work quickly. The marshmallow mix will start to thicken even more and be harder to manage as it cools down. This is why I recommend working with the marshmallow mix while it’s still warm. Also remember that adding a considerable amount of anything will deflate the marshmallow mix, so you need to work quickly. I prefer the first method. With this method the tahini is less likely to sink into the marshmallows, and overall there will be less volume loss this way. However the second method is relatively easier.
Curing the tahini marshmallows
This is the hard part, because you gotta wait to enjoy the fruits of your labor! 🙂 I prefer to cure my marshmallows in a 8 x 8 inch square baking pan. This gives me marshmallows that are about 3/4 – 1 inch thick. If you want shorter marshmallows, then you can use a 9 x 9 inch square pan, or a 9 x 13 inch pan (these will be very short marshmallows). Prepare the pan by lightly coating the inside with butter or coconut oil, OR completely line the pan with parchment paper. You absolutely need to prepare the pan WHILE the marshmallow mixture is being whisked. This is so that the pan is ready as soon as the marshmallow mix is done. Scrape the marshmallow mix into the prepped pan and spread it as smoothly as possible with an offset spatula. Generously dust the surface with the “marshmallow dust” (confectioner’s sugar + cornstarch). Now you gotta wait. At least for 6 – 8 hours until the marshmallows are cured (i.e. set). I prefer to make the marshmallows at night, so I can let them cure overnight.
Cutting the marshmallows
The following day, I turn the marshmallow slab out onto a dusted cutting board. Use a VERY LIGHTLY oiled (coconut oil or butter) sharp knife to cut the marshmallows into strips, and then into small squares. I prefer 1 x 1 inch pieces (this will result in anywhere from 50 to 64 pieces), or you can cut larger pieces for s’mores. Make sure you follow the tips and tricks section to make sure you get nice, clean cuts. Lightly dust the marshmallows with the marshmallow dust mix to prevent them from sticking to each other. You can brush off any excess dust, and then drizzle the marshmallows with some dark chocolate! You can even dip them in meted dark chocolate. If you prefer semi sweet or milk chocolate, you can use that instead too.
How to store tahini marshmallows
These tahini marshmallows will keep for a few weeks in an air-tight container. Remember these do have tahini paste in them, and the tahini can go bad. Unfortunately, these cannot be stored in the fridge.
How to enjoy these tahini marshmallows
Use your hand to stuff your face with as many marshmallows as you can, that’s how. These are,
Sweet Salty Savory Nutty Fluffy With a little fudginess.
In other words, they are unlike any other marshmallow you’ve had, guaranteed! But these are also excellent to make s’mores, like I’ve done here with digestive biscuits! But you can use your favorite chocolate bars / chocolate chips or even ganache, along with graham crackers instead. These tahini marshmallows also go wonderfully well with hot chocolate like this peanut butter hot chocolate, dairy free bourbon hot chocolate, Parisian hot chocolate, or rocky road hot chocolate. These tahini marshmallows are a real treat for all marshmallow aficionados! If you’re looking to up your marshmallow game, you have got to try these!
Other marshmallow recipes you’ll love
Classic vanilla marshmallows Chocolate marshmallows Butterscotch marshmallows Peppermint marshmallows Orange blossom marshmallows with pistachios Butterscotch swirled marshmallows S’mores cookies Fudgy s’mores brownie pie
