Sunday, October 10, 2010

Italian Meringue Buttercream Tutorial

This buttercream is my all time favourite. It’s smooth, silky and tastes beautiful! Not over sweet like some buttercreams can be. It pipes well and looks great on cupcakes!

DSC08487Here’s what you’ll need:

  • An Electric Mixer (A stand mixer like mine works best but a hand mixer will work ok too.
  • Candy thermometer
  • 300g Caster Sugar
  • 5 Egg whites
  • 100ml Water
  • 500g butter (unsalted)
  • Flavouring (I used vanilla)
  • Food colouring of your choice

 

 

 

 

Method:

1. Place 250g of the sugar in a saucepan with the water. Over a low heat, whisk until sugar crystals have dissolved and the solution is semi-transparent. DSC08501

 

 

2. Turn the heat to high and place the candy thermometer in the syrup. It is important NOT to whisk the sugar solution from this point. The mixture must boil until it reaches 121 degrees Celsius.

 

 

 

DSC085003. While the sugar is reaching the right temperature, whisk the egg whites with electric mixer until white and foamy; and soft peaks form. Then gradually add the remaining 50g of sugar and whisk until sugar dissolves and it resembles a meringue mixture.

 

 

4. Once sugar has reached 121 degrees, remove from heat and with mixer running, pour into the meringue mixture (directly into the bowl). Be VERY careful not to burn yourself on the hot sugar syrup. At this point the bowl will become quite hot to touch. Continue mixing until bowl cools to a temperature which is comfortable to touch (should take around 4-7 minutes.)

 

DSC08512

5. Now the mixture should look white and glossy. If you have a paddle attachment for your mixer, swap it over. From here, add the butter, in chunks, over 30 seconds. If it goes soupy, just continue to mix until it reforms to a thicker consistency. The end result will be your buttercream! From this point you can flavour and colour as you desire.

6. Enjoy!

 

 

I hope this provides a good explanation for you, if you have any questions, please post below and I’ll answer them for you Smile

 

Katie x

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