7 Minute Frosting Recipe

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: Irresistible 7 Minute Frosting Recipe is silky and cloud-like, and will elevate any cake! This frosting is lighter and fluffier than traditional buttercream because it’s made with whipped egg whites and sugar syrup, not butter and confectioner’s sugar. If that wasn’t great enough, it can even be torched for a toasted marshmallow/s’mores vibe!

• Quick and easy: “7 minutes” refers to how long you whip this frosting, and the total time is only 20 minutes!
• Dreamy, billowy texture: This is airy and light. If you want an iced cake but aren’t into heavy, thick frosting, this is for you!
• Elegant look: We’re talking gorgeously glossy frosting. Plus, it doesn’t get crusty like buttercream.
• Balanced flavor: Perfectly sweet but not cloying.
• Bakery frosting for 14 cents a serving! You can easily swirl this melt-in-your-mouth icing into fancy peaks like a pro!

7 Minute Frosting tastes like a vanilla marshmallow dream and pairs deliciously with all kinds of cakes. Because it’s light, you can even use it on delicate angel food cake. It also offsets deep, dark chocolate layer cake beautifully and is perfect for S’mores Cake because it toasts beautifully.

Bakers, this is one of my all-time favorite frostings! Light, airy, and meringue-like, 7 Minute Frosting is closer to Swiss Meringue Buttercream than traditional buttercream—minus the butter. It whips up in one bowl, is budget-friendly, and delivers a glossy finish. If you bake often, you likely have everything you need on hand!

For the best texture, make sure the sugar is fully dissolved before removing it from the double boiler—any graininess means it needs more time. This can take up to eight minutes, so be patient! Important safety note: always use a metal bowl over simmering water—I’ve had a glass bowl shatter, and trust me, it’s not worth the risk.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 5/8/2025, to include a NEW step-by-step tutorial video.

Table of Contents

• What is 7 Minute Frosting?
• Tools You Need
• Key Ingredients and Why
• How to Make 7 Minute Frosting
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
• FAQs
• More Frosting Recipes

What is 7 Minute Frosting?

• 7 Minute Frosting is a meringue-like frosting. Egg whites, water, sugar, corn syrup, cream of tartar, and a pinch of salt are heated in a double boiler until the sugar melts, and then the mixture is whipped and flavored with vanilla extract. It’s known for its lightness, fluffiness, and marshmallow-like flavor.  
• 7-Minute Frosting is an example of a boiled frosting. Other boiled frostings include Swiss Meringue Buttercream, which has added butter. Boiled frostings differ from American Buttercream (a thick, creamy, sweet whipped mixture of butter and confectioner’s sugar) and Ermine Frosting (also called flour frosting or butter roux icing), which is lighter than American Buttercream because it’s based on a cooked sweetened flour base whipped with a moderate amount of butter.
• Although 7 Minute Frosting is in the tradition of European meringue frosting, the recipe first appeared in the 1912 edition of the Fannie Farmer Cookbook, published by the Boston Cooking School.

Tools You Need

• Heatproof bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Glass measuring cup
• Medium saucepan
• Whisk
• Stand mixer (optional) or electric hand mixer

Key Ingredients and Why

Egg whites

• Whipped egg whites are the base of this recipe. They give the frosting both its structure and a fluffy, light texture.
• Substitution: You can use two tablespoons of meringue powder mixed with two tablespoons of water for each egg.

Granulated sugar

• Granulated sugar sweetens the frosting.
• When the egg whites are heated and beaten with the sugar, the sugar stabilizes the egg whites and makes the mixture smooth.
• Substitution: Use superfine sugar if you have it, as it dissolves more easily.

Cold water

• Water makes a sugar syrup that stabilizes the mixture.
• Using cold water lowers the temperature and slows the cooking, which keeps the egg whites from overcooking and losing their fluffy texture.

Light corn syrup

• Light corn syrup adds sweetness.
• Additionally, it gives the frosting a better texture, making it more pliable.
• Substitution: You can easily make it at home from my recipe of Corn Syrup or replace the light corn syrup with the same amount of golden syrup. Note that this may change the flavor and color of the frosting.

Cream of tartar

• Cream of tartar helps the whipped egg whites keep their structure and not collapse.
• Importantly, it also prevents the sugar from crystallizing.

Vanilla extract

• Vanilla extract adds a delicately warm floral taste and scent.
• Substitution:
  • If you prefer, use an equal amount of Vanilla Bean Paste.
  • You can use another extract in place of vanilla.

Salt

• Salt enhances and balances the flavors.
• It’s not a big amount, but don’t skip it! The frosting will taste flat without it.

How to Make 7 Minute Frosting

1. Fill the bottom of a medium pot with a couple of inches of water and bring to a simmer.
2. Whisk together the egg whites, sugar, water, corn syrup, cream of tartar, and the pinch of salt in a heat-proof bowl and place on top of the simmering water.
3. Heat the mixture, whisking constantly, until it is hot and the sugar has melted (about 3 minutes). Rub a bit of the mixture between your thumb and index finger. It should be smooth and without any graininess. If not, continue heating and stirring for another minute and check again.
4. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or use a large bowl and a handheld electric mixer) and whip on high for about 7 minutes until stiff, glossy, and cooled.
5. Add in the vanilla extract and whisk for one more minute to combine.

FULL (PRINTABLE) RECIPE BELOW!

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips

• I use large egg whites. For the most accurate weight, weigh them. They should be 2 ounces /60 grams in total.
• Make sure the sugar is 100% dissolved before removing it from the double boiler. Otherwise, your frosting will be grainy.
• Use this seven-minute frosting shortly after making it while it’s still really stiff.
• Be sure to use a metal (heatproof) bowl on top of the simmering water. I have experienced having a glass bowl shattering on me while making a recipe like this.
• Make your own corn syrup if you can’t find it. Please don’t leave it out; it makes the frosting pliable and easier to work with.
• This delectable, budget-friendly seven-minute frosting is perfect paired with my $5 Birthday Cake.
• The cream of tartar stops the frosting from crystallizing. It’s an essential ingredient, so please don’t leave it out.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

• 7 Minute Frosting can deflate, and it is best to use it as soon as it’s made. The finished frosting doesn’t keep for more than 24 hours, even if refrigerated.
• If you’re looking for a frosting that will keep for a few days, try my Best Vanilla Buttercream Recipe, Cream Cheese Frosting, Swiss Meringue Buttercream, or Ermine Frosting.

FAQs

Can I make 7-Minute Frosting vegan?

• Yes, you can make 7-Minute Frosting vegan, but note that it will differ in taste and texture from the icing made with the original recipe.
• Replace each egg white with 2 tablespoons of aquafaba (chickpea liquid). For more information, see my 12 Best Egg Substitutes for Baking Recipes & How to Use Them.

How do I make sure my frosting isn’t grainy?

• It’s crucial to cook the mixture until the sugar is 100% dissolved.
• It’s essential to use your fingers to test the mixture and make sure it feels smooth.
• Do not leave out the cream of tartar, as it prevents crystalization.

Why did my frosting not whip up well?

• Before starting, make sure there isn’t any grease or traces of egg yolk in the bowl or beaters, which can adversely affect the whipping.
• Be sure to whip the mixture until you have glossy, stiff peaks.
• Note it may be harder to get the meringue to whip up well on a humid day.

More Frosting Recipes

• Funfetti Frosting
• Classic Lemon Ermine Frosting
• Chocolate Buttercream
• Cream Cheese Frosting
• Easy Royal Icing

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 5/8/2025, to include a NEW step-by-step tutorial video.