Marshmallow frosting is a sweet topping for cupcakes and cakes. Its base is sugar; some recipes use confectioner's sugar while others use cane sugar. The difference between marshmallow frosting and cake icing is the amount of liquid in the recipe. Marshmallow frosting contains almost no liquids while others contain greater amounts of milk or water. Bakers use marshmallow-based frosting when they need a stiffer, more pliable material, which will create specific designs and shapes.
The physical properties of marshmallow frosting come from the egg whites in the recipe. When egg whites stiffen, they create air pockets, which help mold the frosting into its stiffer form. As many bakers warn, it is easy to over-mix egg whites, so the recipe needs to be mixed just until the egg whites come to a peak in the mixture. Reaching this point of mixing egg whites often requires practice, but most professional cake decorators will be able to make and use a marshmallow-based frosting. It is best to ask someone experienced in mixing egg whites to demonstrate how the frosting looks when it is prepared correctly.
Once perfected, the marshmallow icing will easily sit on top of a cupcake when applied with a spoon. A few practice cupcakes are necessary for beginners, but many cupcake bakers use a toothpick and spatula to shape the frosting into curly patterns. A touch of food coloring or licorice is useful to add decoration to this frosting; small candies also work well to obtain the desired patterns. Alternatively, the mixture is placed inside a frosting bag and pushed through different-shaped tips to create a layered look.
An additional advantage to marshmallow frosting is its versatility with different types of decorating. This frosting will not melt when fire is gently applied to its surface, the surface will also slightly turn brown before beginning to succumb to the heat. Due to this versatility, marshmallow frosting is used when bakers are creating a burnt marshmallow look on cupcakes or cakes.
This pliability of form allows bakers and decorators to create a wide range of images. The size of the image depends on the size of the cake. Designs can range from simple one-color circles on a cupcake to designs that display the badges or colors of local sports teams, schools or organizations.