What really sets this frosting apart is its gorgeous, glossy finish and perfectly white color. It’s light, fluffy, and has a meringue-like texture that melts in your mouth, making it as delicious as it is beautiful. Whether you’re frosting a birthday cake or dressing up some cupcakes, this frosting adds that perfect touch of elegance with its classic look and almost marshmallow-like flavor. This 7-Minute Frosting is sure to become your new favorite go-to!
Use your 7 minute frosting on our famous chocolate cake or make your own creative whoopie pies using our pumpkin chocolate chip cookies or snickerdoodles.
Why Our Recipe
- Marshmallow-like flavor reminiscent of a meringue.
- One of the easiest frostings around ready in under 15 minutes and no specialized equipment is needed.
- Beautiful glossy, fluffy frosting that’s perfectly white.
We love recipes that honor how grandma used to make them, and 7 minute frosting is one such recipe. This traditional frosting recipe may be a bit different from any other you’ve made, due to the fact that it is cooked! Have no fear, we’re here to walk you through this process. While cooked frosting may be a first for you, it certainly is not difficult to make, and we know you will love this frosting reminiscent of marshmallow fluff!
Ingredient Notes
- Egg Whites: If you’re using a carton of liquid egg whites, you’ll need 1/2 cup to equal the 4 large egg whites called for in the recipe. Make sure there’s no yolk mixed in with the whites, as even a little fat can prevent the frosting from whipping up properly.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar works best here.
- Water: Just a small amount is needed to help dissolve the sugar and create a smooth base for the frosting.
- Salt: The salt balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Cream of Tartar: This stabilizes the egg whites, helping them to whip up and hold their shape. If you don’t have cream of tartar, you can substitute it with 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice or white vinegar.
- Vanilla Extract: Feel free to use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor, but imitation vanilla will also work.
Double Boilers
A double boiler is a special kitchen tool that is used to gently heat ingredients without direct contact with the heat source. It’s perfect for tasks like melting chocolate or, in this case, making a delicate frosting. The bottom pot holds simmering water, and the heat from the steam gently warms the ingredients in the top pot. This is essential for warming the egg whites and sugar slowly, preventing the eggs from scrambling and the sugar from burning.
No double boiler? No problem! In our recipe, we have you easily make your own using a saucepan and a heat-safe mixing bowl. Just simmer a couple of inches of water in the saucepan and place the bowl on top—make sure it doesn’t touch the water. This simple setup gives you the same results without the need for specialized equipment.
Egg Whites
You will need to separate your yolks from the whites. This recipe calls for egg whites only, and any small amount of yolk can inhibit the ability for stiff peaks to form, so you will want to be careful. Egg whites at room temperature will whip faster, but you can always use your eggs straight out of the fridge.
Yield
This recipe makes approximately 4 cups of frosting. How much frosting you will need for your cake depends entirely on how you intend to frost it. This should be enough to frost a simple 9-inch cake or 12 cupcakes. Nutrition facts included with the recipe are calculated based on the entire 4 cups.
Storage Instructions:
Room Temperature: This frosting is best used fresh, but it can sit at room temperature for up to 4 hours if you’re serving it shortly after making it.
Refrigeration: Store the frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Before using, bring it back to room temperature and give it a quick whisk or beat to restore its fluffiness.
More delicious frosting recipes…
Watch the video below where we will walk you through every step of the recipe with a video demonstration.
Perfecto
Excellent instructional video on 7 minute frosting. I followed your video step by step and my frosting was perfect. You are clear, concise, and lovely to watch. Thank you!
Fabulous! Thank you for sharing this wonderful frosting.
I just made this frosting and I forgot to put the water in it and it turned out perfect !!!I think it was because of my lg egg whites was very cold and when I was separating them they felt a little watery. But ty u for this easy great frosting.
I cannot Wait to try this recipe on sugar cookies using various-flavored extracts fir variety. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe; it sounds delicious 😋
First time ever making or even trying this kind of frosting. Big hit! Thank you for the recipe and great instructions!!
Lightly crusted on the outside and pure fluff on the inside. Turned out perfect! Love this icing. Thanks for the recipe.
I have been looking for this icing recipe for years. My mother used to make an angel food cake baking sprinkles into it and topping it with this icing for my birthdays when I was a child. The recipe was not in her recipe box which I got when she passed away. I am 72 years old and cried when I tasted this. So many good memories!
My mom always made Angel Food cake and 7minute frosting for all my birthdays too and I am 66. I miss my mom….
Sending this to my son…
No butter or oil?
I have a tried at least a dozen different frosting recipes with zero luck. I had almost given up on making my own frosting when I saw this video. I’m so glad I ran into it, it’s an absolute winner! It was the perfect frosting recipe I had long searched for: quick and easy to make and sooo delicious!!
And while browsing your website for recipes for the left over egg yolks, I ran into the most amazing Creme Brûlée recipe which I have also reviewed.
You’re an amazing chef, thanks for sharing your gift with us!
Thank you for this recipe. My mom made this all the time back in the 60s & 70s.
Best frosting ever & great on many types of cakes!