How to Make Boiled Frosting - Cooking Tips

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Boiled frosting is a very light and fluffy topping that is great on any type of cake or cupcakes. This white fluffy frosting is made without any type of fat added. Most of its ingredients are cooked until they come to a boil; and then allowed to boil for a period of time. The boiled mixture is then slowly mixed into beaten egg whites until the frosting is light and fluffy. It is mostly used as an overall frosting layer that can be spread smoothly over the surface of the cake, or it can be given a simple frosting design such as swirls or peaks. It can be used for some basic piping, such as borders or writing; but because it is light and fluffy, and can be slightly sticky after it sets for a while, it is a little harder to work with when trying to decorate a cake with a detailed design.

There are many different recipes available for boiled frosting. Some boiled frosting recipes are sticky and set up fairly quick so you need to spread it soon after it is made, but the recipe below remains very workable and is easy to spread on the cake.

White and Fluffy Boiled Frosting
Ingredients:
	1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar 1/8 tsp. salt	1/2 cup water 4 egg whites 1/2 tsp. almond extract

Remove the eggs from the refrigerator so they will be room temperature when ready to use. In a small heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, cream of tartar, and salt. Stir the mixture to combine evenly; add the water.
		Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil, stir continuously until it is clear. Allow the mixture to boil until it reaches the soft ball stage or 240°F on a candy thermometer.
		Remove from the heat and allow it to set while beating the egg whites. Beat the egg whites in a large, wide bowl until they form soft peaks. Be sure to use a wide bowl so that you have enough room to beat the frosting while you are adding in the sugar mixture without pouring it into the beaters.
		Once the eggs are at a soft peak, begin to slowly pour the boiled sugar mixture into the egg whites Pour the mixture along the side of the bowl while beating the two together.
Make sure to pour the sugar mixture in a slow steady stream off to one side and continue to beat the frosting the entire time. Do not pour the sugar mixture into the beaters. To incorporate it into the egg whites, move the beaters back and forth into the area where the sugar mixture has been added.

Once all of the sugar mixture has been added, pour in the almond extract. Beat until the frosting is thick enough to form stiff peaks. If you have trouble getting the frosting thick enough to form stiff peaks, you can add a little powdered sugar to help it thicken. Start by only adding a tablespoon at a time. Beat in well and check for stiff peaks again before adding more powdered sugar.
Once the frosting has thickened to form stiff peaks, begin frosting the cake. Before placing the first layer on the plate, spread a small amount of frosting in the middle of the cake plate. This will help hold the cake in place while frosting it.
A layer cake is shown here but this frosting can be used on a sheet cake or cupcakes as well. Place the first layer of cake on the plate bottom side down. Carefully slide four inch wide strips of wax paper under the cake on all sides. This will help prevent the frosting from getting all over the plate while you are spreading it on the cake.
Begin by spreading a layer of frosting on this first layer. Be sure to work with a sufficient amount of frosting when spreading it on the cake. This will help prevent touching the cake with the spatula and picking up crumbs that will get into the frosting. If necessary, the excess frosting can be removed once the cake is covered.
When first spreading the frosting on the cake, push it around and do not make a backwards motion. Once the cake is covered you can spread the frosting back and forth without picking up crumbs.
Spread it on a little less than one half inch thick; only spread it out to within one quarter inch from the edge. This will allow room for the frosting to spread out when the second layer is placed on top. Once the frosting has been spread around, level it with the edge of the spatula before placing the second layer on top.
Place the second layer, bottom side up, on top and gently press down. Check to see if it is level. If it is slightly unlevel, press it down a little more in the high areas. If the top layer is too unlevel, you can add a little frosting between the layers in the area that needs to be built up.
Once the cake is level, frost the top in the same manner as the middle layer was frosted. The frosting on top can also be use to help level the cake. Remember to work with a sufficient amount of frosting to help prevent picking up the crumbs.
Smooth and level the top the best you can. A spatula that is as long as the cake is wide will help make it easier to smooth and level. If you don't have one that long you will have to make several swipes across the cake to make it as smooth and level as possible.
		After frosting the top of the cake, spread the frosting around the sides. Be sure to work with a sufficient amount of frosting to prevent picking up the crumbs.
		Once the sides are all frosted, smooth the frosting out by running the spatula vertically around the cake.
		If necessary, smooth the top again before decorating so you have an even surface to work with.
		When the cake is evenly coated around the sides and on top, finish decorating it with a swirled design pattern.

Using the tip of a spoon, make swirl designs in the frosting. Begin by first making a half circle to the left, starting at the 12 o'clock position; then swirl the spoon down to the 6 o'clock position.		In the same manner, start at the 12 o'clock position again and swirl to the right; swirl the spoon down to the 6 o'clock position, meeting the bottom of the left half circle. Continue to create the swirled circles until the top has been covered.
		After the top has been covered with swirls, create the same design pattern all around the sides of the cake.
Once the swirled design is finished, carefully slide the pieces of wax paper from under the cake. This should provide a beautiful frosted cake on a clean platter that is ready to serve.
Note: Other design patterns can be used to decorate this frosting, but because it is so light and fluffy, detailed decorating patterns should be avoided. The ripple, swirl, and peak patterns are three designs that work well with this frosting.
Storing Boiled Frosting See the tips below on how to store boiled frosting. This fluffy white frosting is best when used as soon as it is made, but if necessary it can be stored for a day. When storing the frosting, be sure to cover it tightly; and then refrigerate. If it is not stored airtight it will begin to set. Once the boiled frosting has been spread on the cake, it can be stored at room temperature, but refrigerating it will help keep the frosting soft and fluffy longer. Cover the cake with a domed cake server or a large container that is deep and wide enough to not disturb the frosting when placed over the cake. Freezing the boiled frosting is not recommended.