Frostings & Fillings Archives - Vintage Baked Modern https://vintagebakedmodern.com/tag/frostings/ Sun, 17 May 2026 21:04:02 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Seven-Minute Frosting https://vintagebakedmodern.com/seven-minute-frosting/ https://vintagebakedmodern.com/seven-minute-frosting/#respond Tue, 13 Apr 2021 00:26:44 +0000 https://vintagebakedmodern.com/?p=2255 Seven-Minute Frosting is made from combining egg whites and sugar over a double-broiler until it becomes light and fluffy to decorate a cake. This icing is made by stirring the mixture over a pot of simmering water or double broiler on top of the stove for about seven minutes until it transforms into a smooth, ...

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Seven-Minute Frosting is made from combining egg whites and sugar over a double-broiler until it becomes light and fluffy to decorate a cake. This icing is made by stirring the mixture over a pot of simmering water or double broiler on top of the stove for about seven minutes until it transforms into a smooth, velvety texture.

This frosting is perfect on classic vintage cakes like my Lady Baltimore Cake and Lord Baltimore Cake.

My vintage inspiration

250 Classic Cake Recipes (1952)
250 Classic Cake Recipes (1952)

Ingredients to make 7-minute Frosting

  • Superfine sugar, also known as castor sugar, has a finer texture compared to granulated sugar. Its fine granules help yield tender baked goods by incorporating quickly with other ingredients. When making boiled frostings or candy, superfine sugar dissolves faster, reducing grittiness and creating a smoother texture.
  • Vanilla provides warm notes of caramel and spice, enhancing the depth of flavor in baked goods. Choose a pure, all-natural extract made from real vanilla beans with at least 35% alcohol.
  • Eggs are produced by chickens and provide structure and stability in baking, while their proteins trap air, creating natural leavening.
  • Cream of Tartar is an acidic salt that forms inside wine barrels that is commonly used in baking to stabilize egg whites and prevent sugar syrups from crystallizing.
  • Pink salt is a type of rock salt found near the Himalayas, that is minimally processed and contains trace minerals.

Make your own ingredients

Vanilla: Purchase Grade B vanilla beans (also called extract-grade), which have less moisture and a more concentrated flavor. Place 8 oz. of bourbon (or vodka) in glass bottle or jar. Split 5 – 7 vanilla beans down the middle and add to bottle. Store in a cool, dark place for 3 – 6 months before using. It will keep for many years, so as you use it, just top off with more bourbon and more beans.

How to make Seven-Minute Frosting

STEP #1
Prep


1. Be sure to set out and separate your eggs as part of your prep.
2. In 2 small separate bowls, crack eggs and separate out the egg whites.
3. Set up double broiler or if you don’t have one, take a saucepan and place a small glass bowl or your stainless mixer bowl and set over the pan of boiling water.
4. Measure out sugar, cornstarch, cream of tarter, and salt into a small bowl.

STEP #2

Make the frosting

1. Put the egg whites into the bowl and whisk until foamy.
2. Add the dry ingredients into the bowl and then add the water.
3a. Option 1: Whisk over the heat constantly for about 7 minutes until stiff peaks form and all the sugar is dissolved and not gritty.
3b. Option 2: Whisk together until the sugar is completely dissolved and then move bowl over to stand mixer.

STEP #3
Add flavoring & Mix again

1. Move bowl to stand mixer and add vanilla or other flavor.
2. Beat on high until glossy with stiff peaks form, about another 2-3 minutes.

Simple Cake Decoration

To decorate a cake with Seven Minute Frosting, start by using an off-set spatula and put a large amount of the frosting on the top of the cake. Spread frosting across the top, pushing it down on the sides of the cake. Form a classic spiral pattern on top by starting on the outside edge and spin your cake plate around until you get to the center. Finish the look with a simple garnish of fruit or nuts to complement the flavor profile.

FAQ’s

Is it easier to make seven minute frosting over the stove or in the mixer?

There are a couple of ways to mix the frosting. You can whisk over the burner constantly for about 7 minutes until stiff peaks form. This would require a hand held mixer. The other option is to just whisk together the sugar and water over the stove until it is completely dissolved and then move bowl over to stand mixer and add the remaining ingredients.

What does the cream of tartar do in meringue frostings?

Cream of tartar is an acidic salt that will stabilize the egg whites and prevent the sugar from crystallizing.

Why do I need to use superfine sugar?

You want to start with a superfine sugar because it is easier to melt down and make a soft, smooth frosting.

Print

Seven-Minute Frosting

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword #frosting, 1960’s
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 1

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 ½ c. superfine sugar
  • ⅓ c. water
  • 1 T. vanilla
  • ½ tsp. cream of tarter
  • pinch salt

Instructions

PREP

  • Separate out the egg whites into a the bowl from a stand mixer.

FROSTING

  • Place the bowl over double broiler and add sugar, water, cornstarch, cream of tarter, and salt. Whisk for about 5 minutes until all the sugar is dissolved and not gritty.
  • Move bowl to stand mixer and add vanilla. Beat on high until glossy with stiff peaks form, about another 3-4 minutes.

Favorite cake recipes

1950’s Cookbooks

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