Seven Minute Frosting is an old recipe for a baked vanilla frosting that takes seven minutes to beat. It uses simple ingredients and requires careful preparation, including using a cardboard shield to prevent the frosting from getting into the mixer. It should be made on a cool, clear day and can be flavored or tinted.
Years ago, before boxed icings hit the market, bakers and homemakers prided themselves on being able to produce cakes with snowy white icings that were impossibly fluffy and baked. This frosting, called a seven-minute frosting or divinity frosting, is an old recipe. It’s not particularly difficult to do, but pay constant attention.
Seven Minute Frosting is a baked vanilla frosting, suitable for frosting cakes or cupcakes. It has been around for many years, as it uses simple ingredients that have been readily available to most cooks. The “seven minutes” in the name refers to the time it takes to beat the icing.
A cook looking to make the seven-minute glaze for the first time should always sit down with the recipe and read it carefully, to make sure she understands every step of the process. Preparation is key in this recipe. The cook should first cut a small piece of cardboard and punch a hole in it for each beater. Place the cardboard over the holes in the beater and insert the mixer beaters. If necessary, tape the cardboard to the body of the mixer. It sounds strange, but this type of icing tends to “walk” on the beaters and the cardboard prevents the icing from getting into the mixer itself. Next, the cook must ensure that his bowl and beaters are absolutely clean. Any fat or grease on the beaters will keep the egg whites from stiffening properly.
The cook should then set up a double boiler or use a heatproof mixing bowl. The water should boil, but it shouldn’t touch the pan or upper bowl. The cook should also separate the egg whites ahead of time and measure out all the other ingredients so you don’t have to fumble for something while mixing the seven-minute glaze.
The ingredients for a basic seven-minute frosting recipe are simple. The recipe calls for 2 egg whites, 1 1/2 cups sugar (341 grams), 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar or light corn syrup; pinch of salt, 1/3 cup water (71 milliliters), and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Add all ingredients to the pan or bowl and beat for one minute. Place the pan or bowl over the simmering water and beat continuously on high speed for seven minutes, scraping the bowl occasionally. Beat in vanilla. Frost cake or cupcakes. This recipe will freeze two standard cake layers. Other flavorings, such as almonds or lemon, can be added, as well as small amounts of food coloring to tint the seven-minute frosting.
A word to the wise: Don’t attempt this frosting on a rainy day or when it’s otherwise damp. The ambient humidity in the air will keep the icing from becoming fluffy. A cool, clear day is best. The seven-minute glaze should be in every cook’s cooking arsenal.
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