Julie Clark
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7 Minute Frosting
Old fashioned 7 Minute Frosting that tastes like marshmallow cream. A light and fluffy frosting for just about any cake!
What is your favorite frosting? Does the type of frosting you use depend on what cake you make? I’m a white cake white frosting girl at heart. I won’t turn down any slice of cake, but white cake gets me every single time.
We’re sharing a vintage recipe that is all throughout my grandma’s old cookbooks…7 Minute Frosting. The total time may be a little more than 7 minutes, but the name is intriguing. And the texture and taste? Amazing and meringue-like. Let’s make this.
What is 7 minute frosting?
Seven minute frosting is a meringue like fluffy frosting without oil or butter. Because it doesn’t have those, it is a low fat frosting. It’s base is egg whites, sugar and water…and you’ll be amazed how this frosting comes together.
7-minute frosting is similar to a Swiss meringue in that it has eggs and sugar heated in a double boiler over simmering water and whipped to a glossy meringue.
What does it taste like? If you love marshmallows, you’ll go crazy for this frosting recipe! We think it tastes just like marshmallow fluff, minus some of the stickiness.
How do you make 7 minute frosting?
What you’ll need.
This frosting is made over the stovetop, so you’ll need either a double boiler, or a heat safe glass mixing bowl that can sit on top of a saucepan. You’ll boil water in the bottom pan and whip the frosting in the top. This method helps the eggs cook to a safe temperature through indirect heat.
You’ll also need a high powered hand mixer rather than a stand mixer that we make traditional buttercream frosting with.
Making the frosting.
- Combine the egg whites, sugar, water and cream of tartar in the top of a double boiler. Mix thoroughly.
- Place over boiling water and beat constantly until mixture holds a peak. This will take at least 7 minutes, but ours took closer to 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat.
- Add vanilla and beat until thick enough to spread.
Adding flavor.
After you remove the bowl from the heat, you’ll add the flavor. We love vanilla flavor, but you can use any type of flavor you’d like. Popular versions are peppermint, coconut and almond.
Adding food coloring.
Can you add food coloring to this frosting? Yes! Add it at the very end when you add in the flavor. Add just a few drops mix in well.
How do you store 7 minute frosting?
This frosting is safe to store at room temperature for one day. Anytime after that and you should refrigerate it.
What cake is this frosting good on?
This traditional frosting is great for birthdays on a birthday cake. It’s also good on layer cake such as chocolate cake, coconut cake or even pineapple cake. It’s simple flavor makes it excellent on just about anything!
7 Minute Frosting
Old fashioned 7 Minute Frosting that tastes like marshmallow cream. A light and fluffy frosting for just about any cake!
Servings 15
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 large egg whites unbeaten
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup cold water
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar or 1 teaspoon corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine the egg whites, sugar, water and cream of tartar in the top of a double boiler. Mix thoroughly.
- Simmer 2" of water in the bottom of a double boiler of medium heat. Place the top double boiler over the boiling water and beat constantly using an electric mixer on high speed until mixture holds a stiff peak. This will take at least 7 minutes, but most likely closer to 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat.
- Add vanilla and beat until thick enough to spread.
- Makes 5-6 cups of frosting. Perfect for cakes or cupcakes.
Notes
The calories shown are based on the recipe frosting a cake that serves 15, with 1 serving the frosting for one slice of cake (about ⅓ cup). Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**
Nutrition
Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 15mg | Sugar: 20g
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this frosting last?
This frosting does not have a long life. It is best if used on a cake right away and served within the first 24 hours.
Can you freeze 7 minute frosting?
We haven’t had consistent results with freezing, so we don’t recommend freezing this frosting.
Can you pipe this frosting?
This frosting can stand up to large swirls, but not intricate designs.
Can you torch seven minute frosting?
Yes! Because this is a marshmallow fluff, meringue style recipe, you can use a kitchen torch to give it a beautiful golden brown color.
My mom had made boiled frosting when i was a kid, i never had but i used this recipe and beat it for 8 min and it was perfect and enough for a two layer cake. Delicious!
Will this recipe frost a two layer cake. Doesn’t seem like enough egg whites.
Cream of tartar is for those who don’t know how to make a proper seven minute frosting. It’s not really a meringue either, is it?