The Deliciousness that is Swiss Meringue Buttercream

I don't know why I am afraid of some recipes.  After all I am the daughter of a Home Economics teacher who is an amazing cook and baker.  I grew up watching her make delicious desserts using all kinds of techniques.  Why then was I afraid of making Swiss Meringue Buttercream? Simply because you had to cook the egg whites and sugar and then whip into a meringue before adding the butter?  No more!  I was going to tackle this recipe and make it mine!

Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Ingredients:

5 large egg whites

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

Pinch of salt

1 lb. (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

To make the frosting, combine the egg whites, sugar and salt in a heatproof bowl (I used the bowl of my Kitchenaid mixer) set over a pot of simmering water.  Heat, whisking frequently, until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F and the sugar has dissolved.  (A candy thermometer is crucial anytime you are cooking sugar.)

Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (using the bowl of your mixer makes this step a breeze).  Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form and the mixture has cooled to room temperature, about 8 minutes.

Reduce the speed to medium and add the butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, adding more once each addition has been incorporated.  If the frosting looks soupy or curdled, continue to beat on medium-high speed until thick and smooth again, about 3-5 minutes more (don't worry, it will come together!).  Stir in the vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.  Tint with paste icing color as desired.

Yield: about 5 cups

More photos of these beauties in my Flickr stream

To get my courage up to attempt this recipe I watched the video below on You Tube to see exactly what the steps were in creating this wonderful frosting.  I used the recipe above but I followed her steps.  This Buttercream is light and silky and a dream to pipe onto cupcakes!  This first batch I piped onto some Magnolia Bakery Vanilla Cupcakes and they were divine in their vanilla deliciousness.  I took them to work and they were devoured by 10:30 am.  I can't wait to make different flavors to adorn all my cupcake creations.