Italian Meringue Buttercream

Description

Everyone thinks that I got the cake from a professional bakery when I use this buttercream. It is fluffy and not too sweet, perfect for wedding cakes or layered with pound cake and fruit preserves. Tightly-wrapped, it can be frozen for a month or two. Makes enough to frost an 8-inch layer cake.

Ingredients

  • 5 egg whites
  • 1 pinch cream of tartar
  • 1 ¼ cups white sugar
  • ⅔ cup water
  • 2 cups unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Pour egg whites into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment; beat on low speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar
  2. increase speed to medium-high
  3. and beat until stiff peaks form.
  4. Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Cook until syrup reads 240 degrees F (115 degrees C) on a candy thermometer or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when placed on a flat surface.
  5. Increase mixer speed to high and pour syrup in a slow and steady stream down the side of the bowl
  6. beating until meringue is no longer steaming
  7. 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in butter one cube at a time until buttercream reaches a soft and spreadable consistency
  8. 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in vanilla extract.

Prep Time: 23 mins

Cook Time: 7 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Servings: 12

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