This frosting is light, fluffy, and perfectly bright white in color. You’ll love the meringue-like texture that practically melts in your mouth. Plus, it takes less than 10 minutes to make!
Looking for the best of all 7-minute frosting recipes? This is it! Whether you want a fluffy icing for chocolate cake, white cake, or any other layer cake, you’ll love this perfect frosting.
Seven-minute frosting is one of those classic recipes that has stood the test of time, and it’s easy to see why. Since it first debuted in the early 1900s, it’s been popular for its light, fluffy texture that is unlike any buttercream frosting.
As the name suggests, seven minutes is the total time it takes to whip up this unique, old-fashioned recipe. When this foolproof frosting recipe is done, it will have a glossy finish that turns any dessert into a show-stopper.
Trust me, it’s seven minutes well spent!
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Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Light and fluffy
- Glossy finish
- Impressive appearance
- Melts in your mouth
- Unique texture
Ingredients for 7 Minute Frosting
The ingredients found in 7 minutes frosting are simple, but every element is key to achieving that light, fluffy texture!
- Egg whites: Egg whites are the most important part of this frosting. As you whip them, they increase in volume and turn bright white.
- Cream of tartar: Cream of tartar helps stabilize the egg mixture and produce a sturdy frosting.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract takes this frosting from good to great! Be sure to choose a high-quality, real vanilla extract if you want the flavor to shine.
How to Make 7 Minute Frosting
- Make a double boiler on the stove top by choosing a heatproof bowl, stainless steel bowl, or glass bowl that can sit on top of a saucepan. Place 2 inches of water in the bottom of the saucepan. The bottom of the bowl should not touch the water. Bring the water in the saucepan to a full boil. Once you have boiling water, turn to medium heat or medium-low heat to turn the rapid boil into simmering water.
- Combine sugar, water, large egg whites, cream of tartar and salt to the mixing bowl. Using a handheld eggbeaters, beat the mixture for 30 seconds on low speed until combined.
- Place the mixing bowl over the simmering water and cook while mixing with the electric mixer on high speed for 7 minutes, or until the frosting forms stiff peaks.
- Remove the bowl from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract. Mix for another 2-3 minutes until the consistency is spreadable.
- Working somewhat quickly, frost the top and sides of 1 angel food cake, or two 8 or 9-inch layer cakes. The frosting will set as it cools. Enjoy your new favorite frosting!
What to Serve with Seven Frosting
My absolute favorite way to enjoy 7-minute frosting is on angel food cake. This gluten-free angel food cake is our favorite recipe!
You could also pair it with a simple vanilla cake or chocolate cake. It also delicious on a chocolate bundt cake!
Storage Instructions
For best results, use this 7-minute traditional frosting right away. As it starts to set, it can become difficult to spread. This frosting will last up to a day on cake or cupcakes, but will eventually form a hardened crust. If you want to frost your cake well in advance, you can torch the frosting for a classic meringue presentation.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a few days, but be aware that the fluffy frosting will lose stiffness over time.
FAQs
To eliminate the risk of bacteria from raw eggs, heat the egg white mixture for whipping into the frosting.
7 minute frosting and Swiss meringue are very similar. Both make the perfect topping for cakes and cupcakes and are cooked over heat. However, Swiss meringue is typically whipped with an electric hand mixer off of heat, while this 7-minute frosting recipe is whipped over heat.
Leftover 7 minute frosting tastes great on graham crackers or gingersnaps. You can even use it to make gingerbread houses, or as a topping for hot chocolate.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Make sure you whip the frosting enough so it forms stiff peaks. After the 7 minute cook time you’ll want to whip it for an addition 2-3 minutes.
- You’ll want to work quickly to frost the cake once it’s ready. Make sure the cakes are cooled and ready to go before you start making the frosting.
- Wipe down the sides of your pan to make sure crystal don’t form. Otherwise, the frosting could become grainy.
- You can pair this frosting with any cake or cupcakes, including devil’s food cake, coconut cake, or any other dessert that calls for a Swiss meringue recipe.
More Dessert Recipes
This recipe is one of our true favorites! If you try this 7 minute frosting, be sure to leave me a comment/rating below. I’d love to hear from you!
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7-Minute Frosting
This 7 minute frosting recipe makes some of the most FLUFFY, bright WHITE frosting you’ve ever seen! You’ll love the meringue-like texture.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Make a double boiler by choosing a heat-safe metal or glass mixing bowl that can sit on top of a saucepan. Place 2 inches of water in the bottom of the saucepan. The bottom of the bowl should not touch the water. Bring the water in the saucepan to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium or medium-low and leave it at a simmer.
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Add the sugar, water, egg whites, cream of tartar and salt to the mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture for 30 seconds on low speed until combined.
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Place the mixing bowl over the simmering water and cook while mixing with the electric mixer on high speed for 7 minutes or until the frosting forms stiff peaks.
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Remove the bowl from the heat and mix in the vanilla. Mix for another 2-3 minutes until the consistency is spreadable.
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Working somewhat quickly, frost the top and sides of 1 angel food cake, or two 8 or 9-inch layer cakes. The frosting will set as it cools. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Make sure you whip the frosting enough so it forms stiff peaks. After the 7 minute cook time you’ll want to whip it for an addition 2-3 minutes.
- You’ll want to work quickly to frost the cake once it’s ready. Make sure the cakes are cooled and ready to go before you start making the frosting.
- You can pair this frosting with any cake or cupcakes, including devil’s food cake, coconut cake, or any other dessert that calls for a Swiss meringue recipe.
Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 17mg | Sugar: 37g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg
NUTRITION INFORMATION:
Calories: 146kcal