Last Updated on April 15, 2022 by Karen
Light and fluffy “7-minute frosting” that can be lightly toasted with a blow torch for an easy decorative swirl effect!
Also known as the “7 Minute Frosting”. It is white and fluffy (like marshmallow fluff!), which makes it a great alternative if you prefer something lighter than the traditional buttercream frosting. Because of its airiness, it definitely works best as a frosting or topping and not as a filling. I used it in between the layers of a coconut cake, but didn’t like how the frosting was deflated by the weight of the top layers.
For the bronze swirl effect, cover the cake with a thin crumb coat and spread a thick layer of frosting over the crumb coat with an offset spatula. Next, draw decorative swirls with a toothpick. Using a kitchen blow torch, lightly toast the meringue (keep moving the torch and don’t hold the flame steadily in one spot), darkening the peaks and swirls.
And then smile and wipe your brow as everyone oohs and aahs over the beautiful presentation that must have taken forever to prepare. The frosting part probably took less than ten minutes. But you don’t need to tell them that.
By the way, don’t let the leftover meringue go to waste. Instead turn them into meringue cookies!
Fluffy Italian Meringue Frosting
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 3 egg whites at room temperature
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Cook sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil until a candy thermometer registers 248°F, about 5 minutes.
- While the syrup boils, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar in a large mixing bowl at high speed until stiff peaks form. Gradually add the syrup in a small stream into egg whites, while continuing to beat the mixture with the electric mixer, until the mixing bowl is cooled to the touch, about 7 minutes. The mixture should be thick and glossy. Stir in vanilla. Frost the cake immediately.
Notes
Omg, this looks so good! I can’t believe the frosting took less than 10 minutes. Plus, love the new header photo with the macarons!
The macarons were the ones you tried on NYE!
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Hi there, this looks amazing! I was wondering, because I don’t have a blow torch, could I flash it under the grill instead? I realise it would only reach the top.
Thank you!
Hi Beverley, yes, you could put it under the grill/broiler to toast the top. I would also keep the oven door slightly ajar so as to not warm up the cake too much.
I’m doing cupcakes for a wedding in 3 days. The bride wants almond flavor cake with white buttercream icing. She wants the edges of the icing swirl to look burned. Using buttercream icing, how can I achieve this look without havint to spend money on a torch as I’m already into my profit on the order? HELP!
Hi Shannon, you can potentially put the cupcakes under the broiler (keep the door open so the icing does not melt) so that the top darkens in color but there is no way really to darken the swirls on the side without a torch. Hope that helps!
hiya – do i have to torch it or can i leave it just white? and does it REALLY keep in the fridge? also does it pipe well?? X
Hi Naomi, yes you can leave it just white and not torch it. It keeps well in the fridge, but make sure you keep a piece of saran wrap on the surface of the frosting so it doesn’t dry out or develop a crust. Because it’s a fluffy frosting, it doesn’t pipe well.