By Kaleigh McMordie - , Updated
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It's easy to make 7 minute frosting in your stand mixer! This fluffy, marshmallow-like frosting is perfect for frosting cakes, cupcakes, and cookies - with no double broiler needed. (gluten-free, dairy-free)
Growing up, my family grouped birthdays together into big celebrations. My grandpa and I were both born in December, along with several other family members. Coconut cake with 7 minute frosting was my grandpa's favorite, so it was almost always my birthday cake, too, by default. (No complaints here!) Years after my grandpa's passing, I finally taught myself how to make 7 minute frosting from scratch. It's quite easy to make, and even easier with a stand mixer. If you, like me, don't have a hand mixer or don't care to use a double boiler, you'll love this stand mixer 7 minute frosting!
What is 7 Minute Frosting?
7 minute frosting is a fluffy, shiny, marshmallow-like meringue frosting made with beaten egg whites. It was named for the time it takes to beat the egg whites to stiff peaks - 7 minutes. It's traditionally made in a double boiler on the stove and beaten with a hand mixer while cooking.
Can I Make 7 Minute Frosting Without a Double Boiler or Hand Mixer?
Yes, you absolutely can make seven minute frosting in without using a double boiler. I don't even own a hand mixer, so I use my stand mixer in this easy method. This version isn't quite beaten for 7 minutes because the sugar it boiled first.
How To Make 7 Minute Frosting in a Stand Mixer
- Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a saucepan on the stove, then boil for 3 minutes without stirring.
- Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar to combine in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Slowly pour the hot sugar into the egg whites while running on high speed.
- Continue beating until stiff peaks form, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the vanilla and beat until combined.
- Immediately frost whatever you're frosting.
Pro Tips for Making Stand Mixer 7 Minute Frosting
- Resist the urge to stir the sugar after it has come to a boil. This will help prevent crystal formation in the frosting.
- The stiff peak stage is when the mixture forms peaks that keep their shape (at least somewhat well) when pulled. You'll have to stop the mixer and lift the whisk every once in a while to test for this. If the peaks sink back into the mixture, keep beating.
- You can also use this no double boiler method to make 7 minute frosting with a hand mixer.
- Use 7 minute frosting immediately after making it.
Can 7 Minute Frosting Be Made In Advance?
I don't recommend making 7 minute frosting in advance for 2 reasons. the first is that it hardens as it cools, making it difficult to use. It's easiest to apply to cakes or cupcakes when it's still slightly warm and pliable - right after it's made. The second reason is that the outside tends to get crunchy as it sits, especially if refrigerated. For the best flavor and texture, you should make 7 minute frosting the day you plan to serve it.
What To Frost With 7 Minute Frosting
- In my family, this frosting has always been used on my grandpa's favorite coconut cake. I also have a cupcake version that's delicious!
- You can also use this frosting for cookies or whoopie pies.
- It has the perfect marshmallow-fluff texture and flavor, so it would be yummy on anything s'mores flavored!
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!
Stand Mixer 7 Minute Frosting
It's easy to make 7 minute frosting in your stand mixer! This fluffy, marshmallow-like frosting is perfect for frosting cakes, cupcakes, and cookies - with no double broiler needed. (gluten-free, dairy-free)
- Author: Kaleigh
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: enough for 1 layer cake or 24 cupcakes 1x
- Category: dessert
- Method: stand mixer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ⅓ cup water
- 3 large egg whites
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan on the stove, bring sugar and water to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Once boiling, simmer 3 minutes without stirring.
- Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar to combine.
- Once sugar has boiled for 3 minutes, remove from heat. Turn on the stand mixer and slowly pour sugar into the egg whites while beating on high speed. Continue beating until stiff peaks form, usually about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the vanilla and beat until just combined.
- Immediately use frosting as it will harden as it cools.
Notes
- You can also use this method to make 7 minute frosting with a hand mixer and no double boiler.
- Resist the urge to stir the sugar after it has come to a boil. This will help prevent crystal formation in the frosting.
- It's best to make 7 minute frosting right before you need to frost your cake or cupcakes. It's easiest to work with and softest just after it's made.
- This frosting will harden and become crunchy in the refrigerator. It's best made the day you plan on serving it.
Keywords: stand mixer 7 minute frosting, easy 7 minute frosting, how to make seven minute frosting in the stand mixer
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About Kaleigh McMordie
Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian in Abilene, Texas, as well as a member of the Baby Led Weaning Dietitians Network. Kaleigh can be found at kaleighmcmordie.com.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Sandra Tatsuno says
Can't wait to try this today! Just one question. In intro you say boil sugar and water 3mins without stirring, but in recipe it's bring sugar and water to boil, stirring until dissolved, then simmer 3 mins without stirring. Which is correct? Don't want to mess it up! Thanks!
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Kara says
So good!!! Followed the recipe exactly and turned out amazing. Definitely a keeper!! Used it for a birthday cake. It was marshmallowy and delicious. Extra messy for the little ones because it’s a bit sticky!! Writing it in my recipe book to come back to again and again.
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Karin says
Mine never got stuff peaks and stayed runny. I had to add icing sugar after about 12 minutes in the stand mixer and no change to make it thick enough to ice with 😥
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Lana says
Is it a possibility that just the tiniest bit of yolk got into your separated egg whites? Any kind of fat at all (butter, oil, grease) on bowls, beaters or utensils will also keep egg whites from whipping up.
★★★★★
MILLIE E YOUNG says
Love this recipe so delicious and so much easier with the stand mixer, Thank you so much for sharing
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Kimberly R says
So thankful for this recipe. 7 minute frosting is my favorite! I have always used the double boiler which hurts my back standing there for so long. This recipe will always be my go to from now on.
Thank you★★★★★
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Tina says
Wonderful! I put this on cupcakes, then topped with toasted coconut!! Yum!! New Easter goodie!!! Thank you!!
★★★★★
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Kaleigh says
So glad you liked it. The toasted coconut sounds great!
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Kathy Schultz says
This recipe was as easy as you said it would be and it was right up there with the 7 minute frosting my mother-in-law used to make! Every Easter she made a layer cake with coconut cream pudding between the layers, frosted with 7 minute frosting (made, of course, with her hand mixer on the stove top) and covered with coconut. My husband loved it, and would think about it, and wish for it every year - and this year, by golly, he can enjoy it again!
Thank you for sharing your tried and true recipe!Reply
Kaleigh says
Thank you so much for your kind review, Kathy! I am so glad you were able to enjoy a traditional favorite!
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