Fluffy Bubblegum Bars

You know those lazy summer days when we'd snap bubblegum until our cheeks hurt? I whipped up these fluffy slices after stumbling on bubblegum syrup during a shopping trip. One taste sent me straight back to my playground days, but without gum stuck in my bangs. These soft goodies have become my standard offering at my niece's friend gatherings – kids can't get enough of the bright look and taste, while grown-ups quietly grab extra pieces when they think I'm not watching.

When I brought these to my buddy's kid's party last week, I got cornered by several moms demanding to know how I made them. One whispered she'd eaten four pieces while hiding from her children in the kitchen pantry. I've never felt so accomplished as a treat maker.

Essential Components

• Marshmallow Fluff - The core of our cloud creation. This sweet, gooey ingredient delivers that dreamy softness. Let it sit out to reach room temp for smoother blending.
• Bubblegum Syrup - This key addition brings that unmistakable flavor. I grabbed mine at a cake supply shop, but you can find it online too. Both Torani and Monin create reliable versions.
• Powdered Sugar - It does more than add sweetness—it changes the sticky fluff into workable material. Run it through a sifter first to keep lumps away.
• Vanilla Extract - Just a splash adds complexity, making the bubblegum flavor taste richer and less candy-like.
• Pink Food Coloring - While you can skip it, that traditional bubblegum pink makes these instantly recognizable. Go for gel coloring for brighter shades without adding too much moisture.

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Simple Instructions

Get Everything Ready

First, put parchment paper in an 8x8 inch pan, letting it hang over the edges for grabbing later. Take my word for it—trying to dig this mixture out of an unlined dish is a sticky mess I've already dealt with so you won't have to.

Mix Your Foundation

In a big bowl, stir together the marshmallow fluff and bubblegum syrup. This gets pretty sticky, so spray your mixing tool with cooking spray beforehand. Keep blending until everything's mixed well—you want a smooth blend with no fluff streaks showing.

Form The Mixture

Slowly add powdered sugar, around half a cup each time, mixing thoroughly between batches. As you continue, you'll see the mixture change from glossy and tacky to more like a pliable dough. Keep going until it holds its shape when you push it but still feels somewhat stretchy.

Boost The Taste

Mix in the vanilla and a few drops of pink coloring if you're using it. Adding vanilla might seem odd with bubblegum, but it really ties everything together nicely. Stir until the color looks even throughout—those random white patches might look cool, but they mean the flavor isn't spread evenly.

Set It Up

Put your mixture into the dish and spread it flat with a spatula (again, cooking spray on the tool really helps here). Push it into the corners and flatten the top as much as you can. Cover it with plastic and put it in the fridge for at least 4 hours or better yet, overnight. Waiting is tough, but properly chilled pieces keep their shape way better.

Cut And Enjoy

After it's firm, pull the whole block out using the extra parchment paper. Set it on a cutting board and slice into squares with a sharp knife. For really tidy cuts, clean your knife with a damp towel between slices.

My kid's friend Lily can't have artificial colors, so I've made these with natural beet powder instead. The shade is more subtle—think "sunset" rather than "hot pink"—but tastes exactly the same, and Lily was so happy to enjoy the same treat as everyone else.

Ways To Serve

Make any birthday party extra special by cutting these clouds into tiny squares and setting them next to a hot chocolate station. The bubblegum creates a surprising contrast against rich chocolate, and these bright treats work as decorations until they get gobbled up.

Build the ultimate throwback dessert platter by matching these slices with other childhood favorites like chocolate-covered rice crispy squares, small cookie sandwiches, and fresh berries. The mix of textures and flavors creates a fun dessert experience that brings out the kid in everyone.

For a fun afternoon tea twist, cut the bubblegum clouds into bite-sized pieces and serve alongside lemon cookies and cucumber sandwiches. The difference between traditional tea snacks and these playful pink treats makes for a memorable gathering. My reading group still mentions this combo months later.

Taste Twists

Fairground Fluff

Swap the bubblegum syrup with cotton candy flavoring and use blue coloring instead of pink. You'll get a slightly different childhood memory that's just as delightful.

Fruit Fusion Clouds

Add 1 tablespoon of crushed freeze-dried strawberries to the mix along with the bubblegum syrup for a fruity spin that works really well with the candy flavor.

Party Cake Clouds

Replace half the bubblegum syrup with vanilla syrup and mix in 2 tablespoons of colorful sprinkles at the very end for a birthday cake inspired option. The sprinkles add fun color spots and little crunchy bits.

Keeping Them Fresh

Room Temperature

When it's not too hot, you can keep these slices in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Put parchment between layers so they don't stick together.

To keep them longer, store them in the fridge where they'll stay good for up to a week. The cold actually makes the bubblegum flavor stronger, so sometimes day-three slices taste better than fresh ones.

If your house is warm or damp, you must use the fridge. I found this out the hard way during a summer playdate when my perfectly cut squares turned into one giant, still tasty, cloud puddle on the serving dish.

In The Freezer

These clouds freeze amazingly well! Wrap single slices in parchment, then put them in a freezer container for up to a month. Let them thaw in the fridge for a few hours before eating. They get slightly chewier after freezing, which some of my tasters actually liked better.

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Pro Tricks

Syrup Alternatives

Can't find bubblegum syrup? Try mixing regular vanilla syrup with a couple drops of bubblegum flavoring oil from baking supply stores.

Change The Bite

For something different, try popping the slices in the freezer for about 30 minutes before serving. They develop an interesting chewy feel that's somewhere between marshmallow and taffy.

Better Looks

Sprinkle cut slices with a bit more powdered sugar for a pretty matte look that also keeps them from sticking when stacked.

I first created these for my daughter's "Candyland" birthday bash, cutting them into shapes with cookie cutters. Seeing the kids' expressions when they bit into these spongy clouds was amazing—that perfect mix of surprise and joy that makes all the messy fingers and powdered sugar on my dark clothes totally worth it. One small boy asked if real clouds actually taste this way, and I couldn't bring myself to say no.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Where to buy bubblegum syrup?

You can find it online, at baking supply shops, or even some coffee stores with flavored syrups. Can’t find it? Mix simple syrup with a few drops of bubblegum oil.

→ Can I skip the food coloring?

Sure! Leaving out the pink doesn’t change the flavor. The color just makes it pop visually—without it, your bars will be white or cream-colored.

→ How long do they keep?

Pop them in a sealed container. At room temp, they’re good for 5 days, but you can refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks. Just know they get a bit firmer in the fridge.

→ Can I use another flavor?

Of course! Swap out bubblegum for cotton candy, vanilla, or strawberry syrup. Just use the same amount for a different twist.

→ Why’s the dough so sticky?

Add powdered sugar in small amounts—about 1/4 cup—if it’s too sticky. Chill the mixture a bit if needed. Exact amounts might vary with fluff or syrup brands.