Easy Swiss Meringue Buttercream

This buttercream is light and fluffy and good for those who don't like a sickeningly sweet American buttercream. Make sure you use real egg whites and not pasteurized egg whites (such as Egg Beaters®). They are heat processed and will not whip into a meringue.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 84 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 tablespoons water
• ⅓ cup white sugar
• ¾ cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat 1/3 cup sugar and water over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and syrup just starts to bubble. Remove from heat.

Step 2

Pour egg whites into a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat until foamy. Add cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form. Beat in 2 tablespoons sugar. Increase speed to high and beat until stiff peaks form.

Step 3

While the egg whites are beating, return the syrup to high heat. Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the syrup reads 248 degrees F (120 degrees C). Pour syrup carefully into the stiff egg whites, with the mixer running on low. Increase speed and beat until meringue is thick and shiny and the bowl is cool to the touch.

Step 4

Beat butter and confectioners' sugar in a separate bowl until smooth. Beat in meringue until thoroughly mixed. Add almond extract.