Best 5 Authentic Italian Meringue Buttercream Frosting Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in the delectable world of Italian meringue buttercream frosting, a culinary masterpiece that elevates cakes, cupcakes, and pastries to new heights of flavor and elegance. This luscious frosting, originating from the kitchens of Italy, combines the airy lightness of meringue with the rich creaminess of butter, resulting in a smooth, velvety texture that melts in your mouth.

Our curated collection of authentic Italian meringue buttercream frosting recipes offers a range of variations to suit every taste and occasion. From the classic vanilla flavor to decadent chocolate, tangy lemon, and nutty praline, these recipes provide a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

Each recipe is meticulously crafted with step-by-step instructions, ensuring that even novice bakers can achieve frosting perfection. Discover the secrets of creating the perfect meringue, with tips on achieving stiff peaks and avoiding common pitfalls. Learn the art of incorporating butter into the meringue, resulting in a smooth and stable frosting that holds its shape beautifully.

Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, our Italian meringue buttercream frosting recipes will guide you towards creating stunning and delicious desserts that will impress your friends and family. Prepare to embark on a delightful journey of flavors and textures as you explore the world of Italian meringue buttercream frosting.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ITALIAN BUTTERCREAM



Italian Buttercream image

This light and fluffy buttercream is super-stable, thanks to a sugar syrup. Italian buttercream makes a great cake filling and frosting, and is excellent for piping decorations.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 40m

Yield about 5 cups

Number Of Ingredients 5

4 large egg whites
1 1/2 cups sugar
Pinch kosher salt
16 ounces (32 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Place the egg whites and 1/3 cup of the sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until the egg whites reach the soft peak stage.
  • Meanwhile, pour the remaining sugar and 1/3 cup water in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and bring to the soft-ball stage, without stirring, 240 degrees F.
  • The egg whites and syrup should be ready at about the same time. If one is ready before the other then you can remove the pan from the heat or stop whipping for a few minutes.
  • Continue to whip the egg whites on medium-high speed and slowly drizzle in the hot syrup, aiming the syrup between the side of the bowl and the beaters. Continue to whip until both the bottom of the bowl and the mixture are cool, 10 to 15 minutes. The mixture should be thick and will form firm peaks at this point. Beat in the salt. At this point you have an Italian meringue.
  • While still beating on medium-high, add the butter, a few pieces at a time. As the butter is added, the buttercream may appear to thin out some, but it will thicken into firm peaks once all of the butter is added. Beat in the vanilla extract. If the buttercream is still too loose, beat on high speed until thickened.
  • Use right away or refrigerate in an airtight container overnight. The buttercream may need to be beaten slightly to smooth out before using.

ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM



Italian Meringue Buttercream image

Learn how to make Italian buttercream! This Italian meringue buttercream tutorial will teach you how to make the silkiest buttercream for cakes and cupcakes.

Provided by Elizabeth Waterson I Confessions of a Baking Queen

Categories     Dessert

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 5

1/3 Cup Water
350 Grams (1 Cup 3/4 Cups) Granulated Sugar, divided into 1 cup and 3/4 cup
6 Large Egg Whites, at room temperature
14oz (1 3/4 Cups) Unsalted Butter cubed, room temperature
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Bean Paste, adjust to your preference

Steps:

  • Get all of your ingredients laid out and prepped and read the recipe once over, timing is important so you want to be ready to go. In a medium to large pot add the water and one cup of granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly to help prevent sugar crystals. After the sugar has almost all dissolved let it cook as you start mixing the egg whites, still stirring the water/ sugar frequently. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment or a large bowl with a handheld electric whisk beat the egg whites until foamy then slowly stream in the remaining 3/4 cup of sugar. Then increase the speed and whisk until stiff peaks form, ideally, the meringue will reach stiff peaks as the sugar reaches 238-240F.
  • Once the meringue has reached stiff peaks and the sugar has cooked slowly stream it into the meringue with the mixer on LOW you don't want the syrup to splash back at you. Once the sugar syrup has been combined increase the speed to medium-high and mix for 5-8 minutes until the mixture has cooled, it will look glossy. If the mixture is still warm to the touch let the mixture sit and cool for 5 minutes or take a bag of frozen peas to place around the bowl to help it cool faster.
  • Next, add the butter chunks one at a time, I kind of smoosh them in my hand as I am adding them all, the mixture may look curdled and you'll think you've ruined it, keep mixing and it will become a lush smooth texture. If the butter looks like is separating and looks greasy- it could be because it's too warm so place the bowl in the fridge for 10-15 minutes then start mixing again.
  • Once you have a smooth buttercream add the vanilla bean paste and mix again until fully incorporated.
  • Store frosting at room temperature for up to a day. You can store the frosting in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight then place on the counter for 1-3 hours to come to room temperature and remix until you have a beautiful smooth frosting again.

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING



Authentic Italian Meringue Buttercream Frosting image

Don't let this Italian buttercream recipe intimidate you, it's actually very easy to prepare. It does take time, but it's worth it. This buttercream icing is the silkiest smooth frosting with just a hint of sweetness. Light and buttery, it just melts in your mouth.

Provided by Annamaria Settanni McDonald

Categories     Other Sauces

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 1/4 c sugar
1/2 c cold water
5 egg whites, room temperature
6 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
any additional flavored extract if you'd like

Steps:

  • 1. Set a timer for 7 minutes and pour the egg whites into the kitchen mixer with the whisk attachment. Do not start the timer yet.
  • 2. Put the sugar and water into a pan. Bring it to a boil on medium-high and then start the timer.
  • 3. When the sugar syrup has been boiling for 5 minutes, start the kitchen mixer on full speed and whisk the egg whites for the remaining 2 minutes. When the timer is up the sugar syrup is done about (240 degrees).
  • 4. With the mixer still going on high speed slowly pour the hot sugar syrup down the side of the mixing bowl.
  • 5. When all sugar syrup has been added it should look really set up, thick and full. Switch to paddle attachment to incorporate air. Set the timer for 10 minutes and beat on high speed. After 10 minutes you should have a lovely thick meringue.
  • 6. Add the butter. Start the mixer on high speed and with a butter knife, cut pieces of the butter and add it to the meringue. When all the butter is added it won't take long for the mixture to turn into a nice smooth buttercream. This will take a few minutes. Be patient as it will turn into a smooth creamy finish.
  • 7. After the butter is combined, slow down the mixer and add the vanilla extract. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and start the mixer again to make sure it's well mixed.

ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING



Italian Meringue Buttercream Frosting image

There's several of these recipes on here, each one a little different, but since I found this one on the CRAFTSY site it's become my go to recipe and always a hit. Not to sweet, and easy to work with. Someone stated - "tastes like clouds it's so light" a little time intensive but oh so worth it

Provided by Bonnie G 2

Categories     Dessert

Time 40m

Yield 4 cups, 15 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 large egg whites
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar (500g)
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water (120ml)
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 stickes unsalted butter, softened

Steps:

  • In bowl of stand mixer fitted with whip attachment, mix egg whites and cream of tarter on low speed.
  • Combine sugar, salt, wat and corn syrup in small saucepan, cook mixture over medium heat until it reaches 238 F.
  • Remove from heat, increas mixer speed to medium-high, and very slowly pour hot sugar mixture of egg whites, taking care not to pour onto the moving whip.
  • Increase speed to high and whip until mixture is thick, glossy, and cooled to room temperature, 6-8 minutes.
  • Add vanilla whip until just combined.
  • Reduce speed to low and slowly add softened butter, one stick at a time. Scrap down sides of bowl, switch to paddle attachment, increase speed to high, and whip until mixture is thickened and completely smooth, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 148.6, Sodium 70.5, Carbohydrate 35.9, Sugar 34.2, Protein 1.9

ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM



Italian Meringue Buttercream image

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.

Provided by Emo G.

Categories     Desserts     Frostings and Icings     Buttercream

Time 30m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 6

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

Steps:

  • 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, increase speed to medium-high, and beat until stiff peaks form.
  • 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.
  • Increase mixer speed to high and pour syrup in a slow and steady stream down the side of the bowl, beating until meringue is no longer steaming, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in butter one cube at a time until buttercream reaches a soft and spreadable consistency, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in vanilla extract.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 359.8 calories, Carbohydrate 21.1 g, Cholesterol 81.3 mg, Fat 30.7 g, Protein 1.8 g, SaturatedFat 19.4 g, Sodium 27.7 mg, Sugar 21 g

Tips:

  • Use the freshest eggs possible for the best flavor and texture.
  • Make sure the egg whites are at room temperature before whipping them, as this will help them reach their full volume.
  • Whip the egg whites gradually, starting on low speed and increasing to high speed as they begin to foam.
  • Continue whipping the egg whites until they reach stiff peaks, which means they will hold their shape when the whisk is lifted out of the bowl.
  • Add the sugar to the egg whites slowly, one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to whip on high speed.
  • Beat the butter until it is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the butter to the meringue in three additions, beating well after each addition.
  • Flavor the buttercream with vanilla extract, almond extract, or other desired flavorings.
  • Use the buttercream immediately, or store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Authentic Italian meringue buttercream frosting is a delicious and versatile frosting that can be used to decorate cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts. It is made with egg whites, sugar, and butter, and can be flavored with a variety of extracts or flavorings. With careful attention to detail and a few simple tips, you can easily make this classic frosting at home.

Related Topics