The buttercream I used on these cupcakes is a meringue buttercream made with meringue powder. And it's light, fluffy and deliciously creamy. It's a simple, easy and effortless recipe using powdered egg whites instead of raw egg whites. Also, this meringue buttercream does not need any candy thermometer. Hence, it is a Swiss meringue buttercream with meringue powder.
Meringue Powder Mixture: Combine the meringue powder, salt, and water in a small bowl. Whisk until well combined and slightly frothy.
¼ cup Meringue powder, ½ cup Water, Pinch Salt
Heat the Meringue Powder Mixture: Combine the sugar and meringue powder mixture in a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Whisk constantly until the sugar is dissolved and you do not feel any sugar between your fingers. (the mixture reaches 160°F (71°C) on a candy thermometer).
1 cup Granulated sugar
Whip the Meringue Powder Mixture: Remove the bowl from the heat and whip the mixture with a hand mixer or stand mixer until stiff peaks form and the mixture is cool, about 10-15 minutes.
Add Butter: Gradually add the softened butter, a few tablespoons at a time, while continuing to whip the mixture. The mixture may look curdled at some point, but keep whipping until it becomes smooth and creamy.
1 1/2 cups Unsalted butter
Add Flavor: Mix in the vanilla extract or any other flavorings you desire. Continue to whip until well combined and fluffy.
1 tsp Vanilla extract
Use or Store: Use the Swiss meringue buttercream immediately, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Before using, let it come to room temperature and re-whip to restore its smooth texture.
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you