Seven-minute frosting

A glossy, marshmallow-like frosting made by whipping egg whites and sugar over simmering water for about seven minutes.

Seven-minute frosting: Billowy glossy white seven-minute frosting swirled in peaks on top of a cake
  • Fillings, creams, frostings and sauces

Also called: boiled icing

Egg whites, sugar, water and a little cream of tartar or corn syrup are beaten together in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water. As the mixture heats, it turns thick, white and shiny and holds stiff peaks. The beating takes about seven minutes, which gives the frosting its name.

It spreads in soft, billowy swirls and can be toasted with a kitchen torch. It contains no butter and is best eaten the day it is made, since it slowly loses volume. It is a classic topping for coconut cake.

Make it at VanillaGoods

Related entries

Sources

Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. Glossary, LibreTexts (BCcampus, Modern Pastry and Plated Dessert Techniques)
  2. Bedford County FCE Countywide Meeting November 2019 (Baking Spirits Bright), University of Tennessee Extension, Bedford County (FCE)