Fluffy White Frosting

8 servings Prep: 5 m Cook: 10 m Total: 15 m Intermediate
4.0/5 (1)
Fluffy White Frosting
Light and airy fluffy white frosting made with egg whites, sugar, and vanilla—perfect for topping layer cakes and tube cakes. This classic cooked frosting creates beautiful stiff peaks and covers two 8 or 9-inch layers generously.

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/3 cup water
  • Dash of salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. In a saucepan, combine sugar, cream of tartar, water and a dash of salt. Cook over medium heat until bubbly and the sugar dissolves completely, about 3-5 minutes.
  2. In a mixing bowl combine egg whites and vanilla. Add the hot sugar syrup very slowly to the unbeaten egg whites while beating constantly at high speed using an electric mixer. Beat for 7 minutes or until stiff peaks form and the frosting is thick and glossy.
  3. This will frost the top and side of two 8 or 9-inch layers or one 10-inch tube cake. Use immediately while frosting is at its fluffiest.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why won't my frosting form stiff peaks?

A: Make sure you're beating at high speed for the full 7 minutes and that the sugar syrup was hot when you added it. The egg whites should be at room temperature for best volume. If your peaks are still soft, continue beating for another 1-2 minutes.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?

A: This frosting is best used immediately while it's at peak fluffiness. It will start to deflate and weep if it sits too long. If you must make it ahead, use it within 2-3 hours and keep it at room temperature.

Q: Why is my frosting grainy?

A: The sugar didn't fully dissolve in the syrup. Make sure to cook the sugar mixture until it's completely clear and bubbly before adding it to the egg whites. Stir occasionally while heating.

Tips and Techniques

Add the hot sugar syrup in a very thin, steady stream while the mixer is running—pouring too fast will cook the egg whites instead of creating a smooth frosting. An electric hand mixer or stand mixer is essential for this recipe; you can’t beat it by hand long enough to achieve the right texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • vanilla extract: almond extract or coconut extract
  • cream of tartar: 1/2 tsp lemon juice or white vinegar

Equipment Needed

  • Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Medium saucepan
  • Mixing bowl

Historical Context

Fluffy white frosting, also called seven-minute frosting, has been a Southern baking staple since the early 1900s. It became especially popular during the Depression era because it used fewer ingredients than butter-based frostings and created an impressive, bakery-quality finish on simple layer cakes.