If you’re looking for a universally appreciated frosting that has truly stood the test of time, look no further than Seven Minute Frosting. Dating back to the early 1900’s, there’s nothing like this light and fluffy stuff that looks like marshmallow. In terms of texture and taste, no other frosting is comparable to this one. And because it’s a stovetop glaze, it’s also a little different from most others. (But don’t be fooled into thinking it’s difficult. Your grandmother could do it and you can too).
Seven Minute Frosting is cooked in a double boiler on the stovetop, but if you don’t have a double boiler, a heat-resistant bowl over a pot of simmering water works just fine. You mix all your ingredients – sugar, water, egg whites, cream of tartar and salt – in a bowl and beat it with an electric mixer for only 30 seconds. Then you place the bowl on a pan of simmering water (but don’t touch the water or it will cook too quickly) and continue beating for – you guessed it – seven minutes.
The mixture then becomes thick and shiny. Take it off the heat, add a little vanilla and continue beating for a minute or two. (Actually, it takes a little over seven minutes, but that’s okay). You can use light corn syrup instead of cream of tartar if you wish, one tablespoon should be enough, and you can adjust the amount of vanilla to your taste.
This is an icing you want to make and use the day you plan to serve the cake as it will start to decompose and sink into the cake if it stays in place too long. You should also frost your baked goods shortly after you finish icing, as it will settle and become difficult to spread quickly enough.
With its meringue or marshmallow-like texture, Seven Minute Frosting is a product that can be spread but not machine-rubbed. It gives a sweet and moist taste to all the cakes it fills, and it’s a product that every baker should try at least once (but we can promise you that it’s good enough that you won’t stop at that first try).
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1/3 cup cold water
2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
PREPARATION
In a medium glass bowl, combine sugar, water, egg whites, cream of tartar and salt.
Put a saucepan of water on the heat to simmer. Meanwhile, beat the egg mixture with an electric mixer on low heat for 30 seconds. Place the bowl on the simmering water pan, forming a double double water bath and continue beating at high power for 7 minutes, until the mixture is firm and shiny.
Remove from the heat, add the vanilla and beat 1 to 2 minutes more.
Use immediately, the glaze will set quickly.
My mom used to make seven minute frosting for her coconut cake.. best cake ever.
I so remember my mom making this. Didn’t appreciate it then but boy I miss it now.
My mom made it for her sour cream choc cake. Added marshmallows to top of cake and drizzles choc around the mounds. Sooooo goood makes my mouth water.
My grandma always put this on her homemade scratch cakes . She put crushed pineapple on the cake before frosting. Makes my mouth water.
I remember this frosting but put marchino cherry juice in it ,it made the frosting pink and the flavor is wonderful to Ilove this frosting to .I haven’t made it in a while .
In lieu of the water ? So, 1/3 of a cup? And a tad less sugar ?
My mother made this and put it between two graham cracked for a snack for my sisters and me. It was so delicious!
My mother made a frosting like this but I think she used brown sugar as the frosting had a light Carmel flavor and was beige in color. It was delicious!
My favorite cake is burnt sugar…remember that ? I used part of the burnt sugar syrup to make 7 minute frosting…so good !❤️
My grandma made this frosting. So good!
My mother made it to put on Angel Food Cake. Best frosting ever.🥰
my favorite from childhood…
My mother made this 😂 And my coconut cake was always delicious 😋 She would ask me what kind of cake do you want for your birthday and I said coconut 🥥 every time
MY MOTHER ALWAYS MADE ME COCONUT CAKE FOR ALL MY BIRTHDAYS 🎂
You can also add some cherry juice or flavoring in place of some of the vanilla and top an angel food cake for a tasty desert.
My mom used to make this all the time! Sooo…much better than the store bought ones. Not even in the same ballpark!!! ❤
My step mom always put this on her homemade red velvet cake… so yummy
I would love to try it if I could find out how to save it to my phone