Seafoam Frosting

The classic 7 minute frosting recipe with a twist. Meringue style seafoam frosting is only 5 ingredients and has a rich flavor due to brown sugar.

If you’ve made our 7 minute frosting, I’m going to give you a new idea today. Make that 7 minute frosting with brown sugar instead of white sugar.

It’s a thing. And these brown sugar frosting variations have been around for years, filling our grandma’s cookbooks. Just like the classic meringue style icing, this is reminiscent of marshmallow cream, but the brown sugar adds the taste of caramel or molasses ever so slightly.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

• Fluffy and light, easy to spread frosting.
• Not overly rich or heavy since there is no butter.
• Ready to spread in about 15 minutes.
• Perfect on white or chocolate cakes and even spice cakes.

What is seafoam frosting?

Seafoam frosting is a type 7 minute frosting. 7 minute frosting is an old fashioned frosting that you make on the stovetop in a double boiler. The key to “7 minutes” is that traditionally you have to whip the frosting for 7 minutes in order for it to hold peaks and be spreadable.

But honestly, I find mine takes closer to 10 minutes.

Ingredients

• Egg whites. If you can get fresh eggs, I recommend using those for this recipe. They will whip up a little bit better. But if you can’t make it to the grocery store for fresh eggs, you can use older eggs.
• Brown sugar. I like light brown sugar best, but dark works as well.
• Cold water. It may seem strange to use cold water when you are just going to heat the ingredients, but just trust the process. 😊
• Cream of tartar. Cream of tartar helps provide stability to the whipped eggs.
• Vanilla extract. You can also use almond or maple or just about any extract you’d like.

How to Make Seafoam Frosting

This frosting is made over the stovetop, so you’ll need either a double boiler, or a heat safe glass 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.

Making the frosting.

• Combine the egg whites, brown 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.

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.

Cake Pairing Ideas

This frosting goes so well with just about any cake, but here are a few of our favorites:

• Cold Water Cake
• Buttermilk Spice Cake
• Pumpkin Spice Cake
• Caramel Cake
• Chocolate Cake

Seafoam Frosting

4.38 from 16 votes

The classic 7 minute frosting recipe with a twist. Meringue style seafoam frosting is only 5 ingredients and has a rich flavor due to brown sugar.

Servings 15

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

 

• 2 large egg whites unbeaten
• 1 ½ cups brown sugar firmly packed
• ⅓ cup cold water
• ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• 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 the mixture holds a 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.

Notes

The calories shown are based on the recipe making 5 cups of frosting, with 1 serving being 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. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**

Nutrition

Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 45mg | Sugar: 21g | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

Author Julie Clark

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Calories 87

Keyword frosting recipe

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