Dairy Free Italian Meringue Buttercream Recipes

VANILLA SWISS MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM {DAIRY-FREE}

Steps:

• Add egg whites and honey/maple syrup to the bowl of a stand mixing. Place over a pot with about 1" of gently simmering water.
• Slowly heat the egg white mixture to 160°F (reduce 2°F for every 1,000ft in elevation), whisking occasionally.
• Immediately remove from heat. With the whisk attachment, beat the egg white mixture on high speed until it nearly triples in size, is bright white, and has stiff peaks. Add in the scraped vanilla bean seeds (discard the pod) or vanilla extract and beat just until incorporated. If the meringue is still warm (feel the outside of the bowl, it should be cool), wait to add the shortening/ghee.
• Once the meringue is cool enough, using the paddle attachment, beat in the shortening/ghee one chunk at a time. The meringue will deflate and maybe even look curdled or soupy. Just keep beating it, and it will eventually come together in a thick, creamy frosting. It may take about 5-ish minutes.
• Worst case, if it's still not coming together and is too runny, put it in the fridge for about an hour, let it firm up, and then beat it again.
• Frost your cooled cake or cupcakes right away, or store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• If refrigerating, set out at room temperature for a few hours and then re-beat the frosting to get it spreadable.
• Store frosted cakes in the fridge if not serving same day.

ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

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.

SARAH'S ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Pour egg whites into the clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment; beat at medium speed until frothy. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
• Combine remaining 1 cup sugar and water in a small saucepan. Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan and place over low heat. Cook until syrup reaches 244 degrees F (117 degrees C) or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a firm but pliable ball.
• Increase mixer speed to high and pour syrup in a slow and steady stream down the side of the bowl, beating until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-high and continue beating until meringue is stiff and the sides of the bowl feel barely warm, 3 to 4 minutes more.
• Beat in butter 1 tablespoon at a time until smooth. Switch to the paddle attachment, add vanilla extract, and beat on high until buttercream is light and fluffy, 4 to 7 minutes.

ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• In a small heavy saucepan, combine 3/4 cups sugar sugar and water. Bring to a boil; cook over medium-high heat until a thermometer reads 250° (hard-ball stage), 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, using a stand mixer, beat egg whites in a large bowl on high speed until foamy. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved and soft peaks form. , Slowly pour hot sugar syrup over egg whites while beating continuously. Continue beating on high until mixture cools to room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes., Gradually add butter, a few tablespoons at a time, beating on medium after each addition until smooth. Beat in vanilla.