Seven-Minute Frosting Recipe

Adapted from Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook | Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook | Clarkson Potter, 2005

Seven-minute frosting is named for the length of time it must be beaten in the final stage. Made with beaten egg whites, it’s similar to meringue, but is more stable and sturdy enough for piping yet still has a delicate flavor and lighter-than-air texture. The frosting will harden quickly, so have the cake you are going to frost already prepared before making the frosting and spread it on while the beaten egg whites and sugar are still pliable. Once frosted, the cake may sit out for several hours before being served.–Martha Stewart

LC Naming Conventions Note

Yes, technically speaking–er, typing–this is Seven-Minute Frosting. Although we prefer the more whimsical nickname of Marshmallow Frosting. It’s easy to understand how this came to be, given the luscious, billowy, lick-the-batter inducing photograph above from the indubitable Smitten Kitchen. And, of course, there’s always the recipe’s trademark sweet, sweet, sweetness. No matter what its name, though, you can rely on this frosting to lend a sophisticated edge to many a made-from-scratch baked good and even to double as a pastry filling. Even for–and we say this in all seriousness–homemade Twinkies.

Hands-On Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 10 minutes | Makes about 4 cups

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Ingredients

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
3 large egg whites
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In the metal bowl of a standing mixer set over (but not touching) a saucepan of simmering water, combine the sugar, corn syrup, 3 tablespoons water, egg whites, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar has completely dissolved, 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Attach the bowl to the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat the mixture on high speed until glossy, thick, and billowing peaks form, about, well, you know, 7 minutes. (Although truth be told, sometimes it doesn’t take quite that long. When in doubt, just look at the picture above; that’s what you want.) Beat in the vanilla. Use immediately.

Hungry for more? Chow down on these:

Brown Sugar Frosting from Cupcake Project
Coconut Cream Frosting from Elana's Pantry
Ganache from Leite's Culinaria
Pumpkin Cake With Maple–Cream Cheese Frosting from Leite's Culinaria