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    Home » Italian Cakes

    Italian Meringue Buttercream

    Published: Nov 15, 2018 · Modified: Oct 7, 2020 by Marcellina

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    Italian meringue buttercream in black bowl viewed from the side. This is a pin image with text

    Italian Meringue Buttercream is light, silky and not too sweet.

    If you've never tried it before then you are in for a treat. It can be a little tricky but read on and I will help you make the best buttercream you have ever had.

    Italian meringue buttercream in black bowl viewed from the side

    This delicious buttercream is based on Italian meringue which in itself can have many uses. Italian meringue is made by pouring hot sugar syrup onto beaten egg whites to create a thick, marshmallowy meringue.

    The hot syrup cooks the egg whites creating a very stable meringue which can be used to top pies and tarts. It is also the base for many desserts such as mousses and parfaits.

    Table of Contents

    • 1 Why you'll love this recipe
    • 2 Ingredients
    • 3 Variations
    • 4 Instructions
    • 5 Tips for success
    • 6 FAQ's
    • 7 Use this buttercream in these recipes
    • 8 Italian Meringue Buttercream Recipe

    Why you'll love this recipe

    This recipe orginally was from Warren Brown of the famous Cakelove Bakery in Washington DC founded in 2002 which I have slightly adapted.

    All Italian Meringue Buttercream is basically the same - Italian meringue with lots of butter incorporated until it is rich and buttery but still light from the meringue. You'll love how smooth and stable this is to use on cakes and cupcakes and other pastries like Cream Horns and Jelly Cakes.

    Ingredients

    Sugar - Superfine granulated white sugar dissolves more easily. However use regular granulated white sugar if thats all you have.

    Egg whites - You'll only need egg whites for this recipe. Leftover egg yolks can be used in recipes like Italian pastry cream or these delicious small batch Chocolate Chip Cookies.

    Butter - Unsalted butter is the best choice for this recipe. Salted butter will change the flavor completely so plan ahead and purchase good quality, unsalted butter.

    Variations

    This recipe for Italian meringue Buttercream is not super sweet so can be flavoured easily. To this quantity you can add either:-

    • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • beans of one scraped vanilla pod
    • ½ cup melted, cooled chocolate
    • 2 tablespoons instant coffee granules dissolves in 2 tablespoons of water
    • ¼ cup fruit puree such as raspberry or strawberry
    • ½ cup lemon curd
    • 2 or 3 tablespoons of liqueur of your choice
    Italian meringue buttercream in black bowl viewed from above

    Instructions

    This buttercream might seem difficult but follow my steps for success.

    1. Combine sugar and water in a sauce pan and boil until it reaches 120°C/245°F. (photo 1 & 2)
    2. While that is boiling, start beating the egg whites. (photo 3)
    3. Once they start to get foamy add the remaining sugar and beat until peaks form. (photo 4)
    step by step photos of how to make Italian meringue buttercream
    1. Once the syrup mixture reaches the correct temperature, add it to the egg whites in a steady stream. (photo 5)
    2. Continue to beat the egg whites until mixture has cooled. (photo 6)
    3. Add cool room temperature butter to the cooled meringue. (photo 7)
    4. Beat until silky smooth and thick. (photo 8)
    step by step photos of how to make Italian meringue buttercream

    Tips for success

    Most problems with this recipe are usually fixed by beating, beating and more beating. This is an emulsion. As long as the temperature is correct - not too warm and not too cold - it will work. Don't panic when you see the meringue collapse and separate as you add the butter because it will soon come back together again.

    • This recipe is easiest if you have a stand mixer. You can use a hand held electric mixer but you will be beating for a long time.
    • Grease is the enemy of meringue - clean the bowl and whisk thoroughly before beating egg whites also take care that no yolk mixes with the whites.
    • Partially cover saucepan when boiling sugar syrup - this ensures captured steam dissolves the sugar caught on the sides of the saucepan.
    • Bring the syrup up to the correct temperature - 120°C/245°F
    • Don't over beat egg whites before adding sugar. Once egg white collapse and become liquid again they can't be rescued.
    • Pour the hot syrup between the sides of the bowl and the beater directly into the meringue.
    • Let the meringue cool before adding the butter. Check how cool the meringue is by stopping the mixer and testing with your finger. Often the bowl is still warm but the meringue has cooled
    • Have the butter at room temperature but not melted or greasy. Butter must still be firm.

    FAQ's

    How can I fix the mixture that has become soupy after adding butter?

    This has happened because the meringue may have still been a bit too warm. Stop adding butter. Cool the mixer bowl. The best way is to place ice in a clean towel and wrap around the bowl to cool the meringue.

    What do I do if the soupy mixture still doesn't come together?

    If the mixture remains soupy, don't add any more butter. Place bowl and whisk into refrigerator until cool then whisk again until the buttercream comes together.

    How to remove butter lumps in the mixture?

    If you find lumps of butter it means that the butter is too cold. Stop adding the butter. Bring the butter to room temperature. Also try holding a warm towel against the sides of the bowl (while beating) until the butter softens and incorporates.

    Can this recipe quantity be reduced?

    I have successfully adjusted the ingredients to make less buttercream. You can toggle the adjustment in the recipe card down to the desired amount of egg whites.

    How to store this buttercream?

    This buttercream will keep covered for up to a week in the refrigerator. Freeze any leftovers in a well sealed container. To use refrigerated or frozen buttercream, allow to come to cool room temperature then whip in the stand mixer with the wire whisk until thick and light.

    Italian meringue buttercream in black bowl viewed from the side

    Italian Meringue Buttercream can be used as a filling and topping for cakes and cupcakes. This buttercream is easy to spread or pipe and holds its shape perfectly plus is more stable in warm conditions than regular buttercream. Master this recipe to complement all your delicious cakes and cupcakes.

    Use this buttercream in these recipes

    Mini Cream Horns
    Jelly Cakes
    Vanilla Layer Cake

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    Italian meringue buttercream in black bowl viewed from the side

    Italian Meringue Buttercream Recipe

    Italian Meringue Buttercream is silky, buttery but still light. This buttercream can be used as a filling and topping for cakes and cupcakes. This buttercream is easy to spread or pipe and holds its shape perfectly plus is more stable in warm conditions than regular buttercream. Master this recipe to complement all your delicious cakes and cupcakes. This recipe is enough to fill and cover a 3 layer 23cm/9in cake.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 40 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings:5 eggwhite batch
    Author: Marcellina

    Equipment

    • stand mixer

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup castor sugar superfine
    • ¼ cup water
    • 5 egg whites
    • ¼ cup castor sugar superfine
    • pinch fine salt
    • 1 lb (2 sticks/454g) unsalted butter cool room temperature
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Place the 1 cup castor sugar and water in a pan. Pop in a candy thermometre and partially cover with the lid. The lid is ajar and will catch the steam as it rises, The steam dissolves the sugar caught around the edge of the saucepan.
    • Place over low to medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and the syrup reaches 245°F/120°C.
    • At the same time as the sugar syrup is cooking start the meringue. Beat the egg whites in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment until soft peaks form – about 2 minutes. Don't overbeat.
    • While still whisking, sprinkle in the ¼ cup sugar and fine salt. Beat well on high speed.
    • By this time the syrup should be ready.
    • Pour the sugar syrup into the meringue, whisking on high speed. in a slow and steady stream. Aim to pour the syrup between the whisk and the side of the bowl right onto the meringue. It should take about 1 minute to pour all the syrup in.
    • After 2 minutes reduce the speed to medium and continue to beat until the mixture cools. Depending on the temperature of your kitchen this will take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes or longer. See my notes for extra tips.
    • Once cool and not before, slowly add the butter tablespoonful by tablespoonful. The mixture will deflate slightly but all is well.
    • If your butter melts the meringue is still too hot. Beat until it cools. If necessary, remove the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for a while. Then start again. Check the recipe notes.
    • Increase the speed to high and beat for 2 or 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
    • Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for a week or the freezer for 2 months.

    Notes

    Tips for success.
    • Grease is the enemy of meringue - clean the bowl and whisk thoroughly before beating egg whites.
    • Partially cover saucepan when boiling sugar syrup - this ensures captured steam dissolves the sugar caught on the sides of the saucepan.
    • Bring the syrup up to the correct temperature - 245°F/120°C
    • Don't over beat egg whites before adding sugar. Once egg white collapse and become liquid again they can't be rescued.
    • Pour the hot syrup between the sides of the bowl and the beater directly into the meringue.
    • Let the meringue cool before adding the butter. Check how cool the meringue is by stopping the mixer and testing with your finger. Often the bowl is still warm but the meringue has cooled
    • Have the butter at room temperature but not melted or greasy. Butter must still be firm.
    What can go wrong and how to fix it.
    There are a couple of things that can go wrong when making this recipe that you need to be aware of.
    1. Once hot syrup is added, meringue must be beaten at continuously until cool. If your kitchen is hot, place ice in a clean towel and wrap around the bowl to cool the meringue.
    2. If the mixture becomes soupy after adding the butter, the meringue may have still been a bit too warm. Stop adding butter. Cool the mixer bowl using ice as per step 1.
    3. If the mixture remains soupy, place bowl and whisk into refrigerator until cool and whisk again until the buttercream comes together.
    4. Butter must be a cool room temperature. If you find lumps of butter it means that the butter is too cold. Stop adding the butter. Bring the butter to room temperature. Also try holding a warm towel against the sides of the bowl until the butter softens and incorporates.
    Italian Meringue Buttercream usually can be fixed by beating, beating and more beating. This is an emulsion. As long has the temperature is correct - not too warm and not too cold - it will work. Don't panic when you see the meringue collapse and separate as you add the butter because it will soon come back together again.
    Flavouring buttercream 
    Try adding one of the following
    • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • beans of one scraped vanilla pod
    • ½ cup melted, cooled chocolate
    • 2 tablespoons instant coffee granules dissolves in 2 tablespoons of water
    • ¼ cup fruit puree such as raspberry or strawberry
    • ½ cup lemon curd
    • 2 or 3 tablespoons of liqueur of your choice

    Nutritional Information Per Serving

    Calories: 926kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 81g | Saturated Fat: 51g | Cholesterol: 215mg | Sodium: 62mg | Potassium: 73mg | Sugar: 50g | Vitamin A: 2499IU | Calcium: 26mg

    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For accurate results, it is recommended that the nutritional information be calculated based on the ingredients and brands you use.

    Tried this recipe? I'd love to see!Mention @marcellina.in.cucina or tag #marcellinaincucina
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    Comments

    1. Amanda

      October 17, 2020 at 6:11 am

      5 stars
      Can this be stored at room temp for a day or so?

      Reply
      • Marcellina

        October 17, 2020 at 7:17 am

        Amanda, I have never left Italian Meringue Buttercream out for any length of time. Here in North Queensland, I think it is too hot and would melt (not sure because I've never done it). However, a little bit of research tells me and it can be left out for a day maybe two. But I'm not a food scientist so this is not an answer I can safely recommend.

        Reply
    2. Jkejake

      April 06, 2020 at 3:58 am

      You contradict yourself You say after adding the sugar syrup( #7) To turn your mixer to medium until cool But in your tips at the bottom (#1)you say it must be on high speed Which is it?

      Reply
      • Marcellina

        April 07, 2020 at 4:23 pm

        You have read the recipe very carefully to have picked that up! Thank you! I have changed that wording to:- "must be beaten continuously". The point is, you will need to beat for 10-15 minutes without stopping until cool. You could beat on high if you have a good strong mixer motor. But reducing the speed to medium just keeps it beating without driving you crazy with the high speed sound. Either way it wouldn't be wrong - just keep beating is the main thing. Hope this helps.

        Reply
    3. Cheryl

      March 19, 2020 at 2:21 pm

      When do I add the flavoring?

      Reply
      • Marcellina

        March 19, 2020 at 5:43 pm

        Hi Cheryl, add the flavouring at the end - after you have added all the butter and the buttercream is light and fluffy.

        Reply
    4. Kelly | Foodtasia

      November 21, 2019 at 8:26 pm

      5 stars
      Marcellina, I love Italian meringue buttercream and this post is such a keeper! Thanks so much for your very thorough step by step explanations and tips. Especially for when things go wrong! Pinning!

      Reply
    5. mimi rippee

      November 15, 2019 at 2:30 am

      This is so pretty! I want to take a bath in it!

      Reply
      • Marcellina

        November 19, 2019 at 3:04 pm

        My hands feel so moisturised after I decorated a cake - it might actually be good for your skin! xx

        Reply
    6. Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes

      November 13, 2019 at 10:10 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! This would be a lovely addition to so many cakes - or just to try with a spoon 😀

      Reply
      • Marcellina

        November 14, 2019 at 7:40 am

        True! Hard to resist eating this buttercream right from the spoon!

        Reply

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