Classic 7-Minute Frosting Recipe to Top Cakes

Sweet baking adventures come alive with this classic 7 minute frosting that delivers creamy, cloud-like perfection.

Whipping up this silky 7 minute frosting requires just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort.

Professional and home bakers alike adore this light, glossy topping that transforms ordinary cakes into extraordinary desserts.

The magic happens when egg whites, sugar, and a touch of cream of tartar dance together over gentle heat.

Each smooth, billowy spoonful promises a dreamy texture that melts beautifully on your tongue.

This recipe delivers restaurant-quality results without complicated techniques or expensive equipment.

You won’t believe how easy it is to create such an elegant, decadent frosting in mere minutes.

Prepare to elevate your next cake with this irresistible, marshmallow-like masterpiece that’s sure to impress.

FAQs

• What makes 7 Minute Frosting different from other frostings?

This frosting is a classic marshmallow-like topping made by whisking egg whites and sugar over heat, creating a light, fluffy, and glossy texture that’s less sweet than traditional buttercream.

• Is 7 Minute Frosting difficult to make?

While it requires some technique, the process is straightforward. The key is maintaining a consistent whisking motion and watching the temperature to ensure smooth, stable peaks.

• Can I make 7 Minute Frosting without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can use a handheld electric mixer or even whisk by hand, though it will require more arm strength and consistent whisking to achieve the right consistency.

• How stable is 7 Minute Frosting?

It’s best used immediately after making, as it starts to set quickly and can become less smooth over time. It’s perfect for cakes that will be served the same day.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Total Time: 12 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 8

7-Minute Frosting Ingredient Rundown

• Egg Whites: Provides structure and volume, choose fresh, room-temperature eggs for best whipping results.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting, select fine, pure white sugar for smooth texture.
• Water: Helps dissolve sugar and create syrup base, use filtered water for clean taste.

• Cream of Tartar: Prevents sugar crystallization and helps create smooth, glossy texture, ensure it's fresh and free from clumps.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine table salt for even distribution.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, rich flavor profile, choose pure vanilla for best aromatic depth and authentic taste.

Tools for This Fluffy, Old-School Frosting

• Stand Mixer or Handheld Electric Mixer: Your key tool for whipping the frosting to fluffy perfection with ease.
• Heatproof Bowl: Essential for creating the double boiler setup and mixing ingredients safely over heat.
• Small Pot: Used to create the double boiler base with simmering water.
• Whisk: Great for initial mixing and checking consistency during the cooking process.
• Rubber Spatula: Helpful for scraping down sides and ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
• Candy Thermometer (optional): Useful for precisely checking the mixture's temperature if you want to be extra precise.

Whip Up a Meringue-Style Topping with Shine

• Create Double Boiler Setup

Fill a pot with water and heat until simmering. Select a heatproof bowl that fits comfortably over the pot without touching water. Mix egg whites, sugar, water, cream of tartar, and salt directly in this bowl.

• Heat and Whip Mixture

Position the bowl over simmering water. Beat ingredients using a handheld mixer on medium speed for 4-5 minutes. Continue until sugar completely dissolves and mixture reaches a warm temperature around 160°F.

• Develop Fluffy Texture

Remove bowl from heat source. Switch mixer to high speed and beat vigorously for 5-7 minutes. Watch for glossy, stiff peaks that hold their shape, indicating perfect frosting consistency.

• Finish with Flavor

Quickly incorporate vanilla extract by briefly mixing until evenly blended.

• Apply Immediately

Spread frosting onto cakes or cupcakes right away. The mixture will begin to set and firm up as it cools, so work swiftly for best results.

Tips to Nail the Timing and Temperature

• Ensure egg whites are at room temperature for maximum volume and smoother frosting.
• Use a candy thermometer to precisely monitor mixture temperature, preventing overheating or underheating.
• Best used immediately, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.
• Experiment with different extract variations like almond, coconut, or peppermint to create unique taste profiles.
• For a vegan version, substitute egg whites with aquafaba (chickpea liquid) and use plant-based sugar to create a similar marshmallowy texture.

Serve on Cupcakes, Cakes, or Pie

• Frosting Flavor Boosters: Sprinkle crushed nuts or toasted coconut on top for extra crunch and depth.
• Sweet Decoration Dreams: Drizzle melted chocolate or caramel over the frosted surface to create stunning visual patterns.
• Colorful Cake Canvas: Add a few drops of food coloring to transform the white frosting into pastel or vibrant hues that match your party theme.
• Textural Topping Tricks: Garnish with fresh berries, edible flowers, or chocolate shavings to elevate the frosting's appearance and taste profile.

Store Covered to Keep Its Texture Light

• Keep frosted desserts in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Cool room temperatures help maintain the fluffy texture without compromising the delicate structure.
• Let frosted treats sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before refrigerating. This method prevents condensation and maintains the frosting's silky smoothness.
• Wrap unfrosted cakes individually in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. These can stay frozen up to 1 month without losing quality. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before serving.
• Never store 7-minute frosting in warm environments. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Humidity can cause the frosting to weep or become sticky, so choose cool, dry storage spaces carefully.

Silky 7 Minute Frosting Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 12 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Classic Old-Fashioned 7 Minute Frosting brings nostalgia to dessert tables with its cloud-like marshmallow texture. Home bakers can whip this simple yet elegant topping quickly for cakes and cupcakes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 large egg whites (room temperature)
• 1 ½ cups (340 grams) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fl oz) water
• ¼ tsp cream of tartar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Create a double boiler by positioning a heatproof mixing bowl over a pot of gently simmering water, ensuring the water doesn’t make direct contact with the bowl’s bottom.
2. Mixture Creation: Blend egg whites, sugar, water, cream of tartar, and salt in the bowl, whisking to form a uniform initial mixture.
3. Heating Process: Continuously whisk the ingredients over simmering water, using a handheld mixer to dissolve sugar and maintain consistent temperature, gradually bringing the mixture to 160°F (about 4-5 minutes).
4. Transformation Stage: Transfer the heated mixture to a stand mixer or continue with a handheld mixer, whipping at high speed to dramatically increase volume and develop a glossy, marshmallow-like texture.
5. Peak Formation: Continue beating vigorously until the frosting forms stiff, lustrous peaks that maintain their dramatic shape, typically requiring 5-7 minutes of intense mixing.
6. Flavor Finishing: Fold in vanilla extract with a quick, gentle blend to ensure even distribution throughout the ethereal, cloud-like frosting.
7. Immediate Application: Use the frosting promptly, as it will begin to set and lose its luxurious, pillowy consistency as it cools, spreading smoothly over cakes, cupcakes, or other delectable baked creations.

Notes

• Prevent Sugar Crystallization: Continuously whisk ingredients to ensure smooth sugar dissolution and avoid grainy texture.
• Temperature Precision: Use a reliable candy thermometer to accurately reach 160°F, which guarantees food safety and proper protein coagulation.
• Immediate Application: Spread frosting quickly after preparing, as it sets rapidly and becomes challenging to manipulate when cooling down.
• Equipment Selection: Choose a clean, grease-free mixing bowl to help egg whites achieve maximum volume and stability during whipping process.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Steaming
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 92
• Sugar: 37.8 g
• Sodium: 74 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23.5 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2.3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg