Seven Minute Frosting {Egg White Icing}

This easy old fashioned seven minute frosting recipe yields a really white, soft and fluffy texture that tastes like marshmallows. This meringue-like topping is great for topping cakes and cupcakes!

I am not sure why I waited so long to share this classic recipe that I am sure you have had in your childhood. It's not too sweet, very glossy and super white. My family likes to use it on this Crazy Wacky Chocolate Depression Cake, but it also has a classic pairing with coconut cake and Easy Angel Food Cake (From Scratch). If you have never tried it, just know that this frosting has a different texture. The "good" kind of different. It's lighter and more airy. It's also pillowy soft and fluffy and tastes like marshmallows. It's not as popular as the classic American Buttercream Frosting since it's made without butter or shortening. But, it's a great way to use leftover egg whites. Another great egg white icing option is Swiss Meringue Buttercream (SMBC) Frosting.

Jump to:

• Key ingredients for fluffy egg white frosting
• Variations
• How to make easy 7 minute frosting recipe without butter?
• Tips and techniques
• Recipe FAQs
• Storage
• More easy frosting recipes
• Recipe

Key ingredients for fluffy egg white frosting

• Egg whites- Make sure to use fresh.
• Sugar- Granulated sugar works best.
• Water- Aids in using double broiler.
• Corn syrup- Helps give it a nice shine.
• Vanilla extract- Adds a nice warm flavor.

Variations

• Chocolate flavor- Add in a little bit of cocoa powder.
• Fold in an oil-based flavoring- Of your choice to completely change the flavor profile.
• Use cream of tartar- To help stabilize the frosting.
• Peanut butter version- For all you peanut butter lovers out there, you can also add in a bit of peanut butter powder. If you enjoy that, check out my No Bake Peanut Butter Bars (Oats) for more.
• Try various fruit flavors- By adding in freeze-dried fruit powder.
• Cut out the double boiler- I don't recommend this, but if you must, you can use a heavy-bottom sauce pan and constantly mix ingredients on a low temperature. You have a higher risk of burning the frosting, however.

How to make easy 7 minute frosting recipe without butter?

1. Beat together- Water, egg whites, sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and cream of tartar (optional) in double boiler.
2. When sugar is dissolved- Remove from heat and beat it until stiff peaks form.

Tips and techniques

• The texture of this icing- Does not allow you to pipe beautiful designs on cakes and cupcakes, but it spreads smoothly on desserts with a spatula and you can even create little peaks.
• Do not use this icing under fondant- Because it simply won't hold up.
• You cannot use this icing to crumb coat a cake- Unless you are going for a messy but vintage naked cake style.
• This frosting will start to break down and dissolve into your cake- Within a few hours but makes the cake taste fantastic.
• You must use fresh eggs- For best texture and flavor.
• Your baking utensils must be scrubbed clean prior to use- This includes the whisk, hand held mixer, and double boiler. There should be no oil residue or your icing won't form peaks and get fluffy. I highly recommend washing everything with vinegar water.
• A lot of people seem to confuse this- With Ermine Frosting (Cooked Flour Buttercream), but that's entirely different and uses no egg whites. Instead, that one uses flour.
• May take longer than 7 minutes- Because of different mixers and brands of eggs.
• No egg yolk should be in this recipe- Otherwise the egg whites won't fluff up right. I suggest separating the eggs in a different bowl than what you are mixing in, just to be safe.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Make ahead- This is not a good option, because this frosting must be used the day it is made.
• Room temperature- Don't let sit our for more than 1-2 hours.
• Refrigerate- You can place in a glass, sealed container for up to 2 days, but it will lose it's stiffness over time. At room temperature, whip it up again to get as stiff as possible. Again, it's best to just use it fresh.
• Freeze- Not recommended.

More easy frosting recipes

• Mango Frosting
• Coconut Cream Chocolate Frosting  
• Nutella Frosting (Hazelnut Buttercream)
• Easy Marshmallow Frosting (With Fluff)
• Almond Buttercream Frosting (Easy)

Recipe