Black Walnut Frosting

A light butter cream that uses egg whites to give a lighter feel to the frosting. Can use pecans instead of black walnuts or use as a plain vanilla butter cream with no nuts at all.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Calories: 291 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup white sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 4 egg whites
• ½ cup black walnuts
• ½ teaspoon black walnut extract
• 1 ½ cups butter at room temperature

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine egg whites, sugar, water, and cream of tartar in in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Beat at low speed until mixture reaches 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). Do not stop beating while checking temperature, otherwise egg whites will overcook. Beat on high speed until mixture reaches 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), 2 to 4 minutes.

Step 2

Remove bowl from heat and stir in vanilla and black walnut extracts. Beat egg whites to cool on high speed, 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 3

Place a large dollop of the beaten egg white mixture in a separate bowl. Add butter and beat until well combined. Continue beating in dollops of egg white mixture until all egg white is incorporated and frosting is smooth and fluffy. Use to frost any cake; garnish with black walnuts.