Seven Minute Frosting Recipe

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This silky, bright white frosting whips up in just seven minutes! It’s smooth, glossy, and has the flavor of marshmallow fluff. It can even be toasted! You might know this seven minute frosting as ‘boiled frosting’ or an Italian meringue like frosting.

Recipe by Lindsay Autry

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A hand mixer pulling the paddles out of the whipped frosting.

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Making frosting can be intimidating, but don’t worry, you got this! Seven minute frosting is a simple recipe that anyone can master with a little patience and practice. Follow the recipe instructions carefully and use the recommended ingredients for the best results.

Table of Contents

Why you’ll love this Recipe

Quick & Easy: The title says it all, seven minute frosting!
Perfect for cupcakes, a layer cake, or other fun treats!
Seven minute frosting can be toasted with a kitchen torch or under a broiler, giving it a beautiful toasty finish and a slightly crunchy texture.

Why is it called Seven Minute Frosting?

The name “seven minute frosting” comes from the amount of time it takes to beat the frosting to the right consistency. The frosting should form stiff peaks after being beaten for seven minutes.

Ingredients

A few baking pantry basics are necessary to create a seven minute frosting. There isn’t really room for substitutions.

Granulated sugar – Regular white granulated sugar is all you need.
Cream of tartar – You can find the cream of tartar in the baking or spice section of the grocery store. There usually isn’t much needed in a recipe, so don’t be surprised if it’s in a very small container. This recipe calls for less than a teaspoon cream of tartar.
Light corn syrup – Light corn syrup is light-colored and usually transparent. If yours is vanilla flavored, that’s perfectly fine. Don’t omit the added vanilla.
Egg whites – Use regular egg whites, or use pasteurized egg whites in a carton.
Vanilla extract – Use a pure vanilla extract.

How To Make Seven Minute Frosting

On top of a double boiler, combine all ingredients with a whisk except the vanilla.

Place over simmering water but make sure water does not touch the bottom of the pan. Use a handheld electric mixer to beat constantly at high speed until stiff peaks develop, which takes about 7 minutes.

egg whites and sugar in a bowl over a double boiler.

Remove from heat, add vanilla then continue beating until frosting holds deep swirls in the finished frosting.

A hand mixer mixing the vanilla into the frosting.

Tips For Perfecting 7-Minute Frosting

Prep your mixing bowl by wiping it out with white vinegar and a towel. This will remove any grease or build up that will prevent your frosting from coming together.
This is not a traditional frosting recipe. Once your seven minute frosting recipe is made, you’ll need to use it immediately.
Room temperature egg whites whip up better than cold ones. So make sure you take your eggs out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before you start making the frosting.

spreading seven minute frosting on a cake layer.

What to do with leftovers

Seven minute frosting is best used immediately. However, if you end up with leftovers or want to prep it in advance, here’s what to do:

Room temperature: Seven minute frosting is safe to store at room temperature for up to a day since the sugar acts as a preservative. After that, it should be moved to the fridge.
Fridge: Store leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: This recipe is not meant to be frozen as the texture will change too much once thawed. I suggest keeping it in the fridge.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of sugar?

Granulated sugar is recommended for this recipe, but you can also use superfine sugar to achieve the smoothest texture. I always recommend letting it fully dissolve with the water and egg whites before starting to beat the frosting.

Can I make this recipe without cream of tartar?

Instead of cream of tartar, you can replace it with an equal amount of lemon juice or white vinegar. However, cream of tartar will yield the best results.

Is there a vegan alternative for egg whites?

Yes, you can replace egg whites with the liquid from a can of chickpeas (aquafaba). Use 3 tablespoons of aquafaba for each egg white. You may need to reduce the aquafaba in a pot to thicken it, especially if it’s a thinner consistency than egg whites.

A rubber spatula spreading frosting over a cake layer.

What to Serve It On

My seven minute frosting will be perfect topped and toasted on my Gingerbread Cupcakes or layered between my Devil’s Food Cake.

More delicious frosting recipes

If you enjoyed this seven minute frosting, here are a few more of Grandbaby Cakes’ BEST frosting recipes:

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