MARTHASTEWART.COM

Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Martha Stewart Baby, Winter
  • Yield Makes about 6 cups
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 6 egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Beat butter with electric mixer until fluffy and pale. Transfer to small bowl.

  2. In double boiler over simmering water, whisk sugar and egg whites until warm and sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to clean bowl of electric mixer; beat on high with whisk attachment until fluffy and cooled, about 10 minutes.

  3. Reduce mixer to medium-low; add butter a scant 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla.

  4. Switch to paddle attachment; beat on lowest speed 3 to 5 minutes. Leave at room temperature if using same day.

Cook's Note

Store airtight in refrigerator up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature; beat until smooth.

Recipe Reviews

Reviews (7)

  • LaurenATL
    14 Jul, 2012

    I made this recipe today to frost the Ruffle Cake, and it was fabulous. I didn't run into any problems, and it tastes delicious. Thanks to the other commenter who recommended Sweetapolita's blog. Her information and pictures were very helpful.

  • Msonironi
    25 Feb, 2012

    Fabulous recipe. This was my first attempt at SMB and it turned out perfectly. It was silky and smooth and just gorgeous to work with. The recipe is a keeper. I did read it in conjunction with Sweetapolita's recipe from her blog, which was essentially the same but offered some other tips for overcoming problems. I did not have any problems though. I used this recipe and method but, I would recommend you read her recipe too, as it has more in-depth information.

  • travelgurl
    31 Aug, 2011

    This is my go to frosting. In no way does it ever taste like grocery store frosting. If I ever go back to the crisco butter Wilton recipe people get mad at me! In fact, I am making a baby shower cake tonight with it.

  • AbbieJean
    20 Mar, 2011

    If you want to spend a good amount of time, effort and money making something that tastes EXACTLY like the grocery store cake frosting, make this. I was horrified at the way it tasted, and super disappointed. Maybe with salted butter, it would taste better. I'm never going to try it.

  • christiwaldron
    11 Mar, 2011

    Amazing texture and flavor. I made it with salted butter because I prefer salty undertones. Very yummy!

  • Madhi
    21 May, 2010

    Best frosting recipe ever..really smooth and buttery. Easy to make and great to pipe on cakes and cup cakes!

  • kelw
    3 Apr, 2010

    WOW! This frosting is so good, I'm giggling. Just buy bigger pants before you even make it!!! : )