7-Minute Icing (Martha Stewart Method)

Name: 7-Minute Icing (Martha Stewart Method)
Yield: 3 cups
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 large egg whites; 1 1/2 cups sugar; 2 teaspoons light corn syrup; 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar; 5 tablespoons cold water; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Martha Stewart's classic seven-minute icing with cold water method. Creates 3 cups of fluffy white frosting perfect for cakes and cupcakes.

6 ingredients-5 steps-3 cups

Updated Feb 1, 2026

AmericanVegetarian

Recipe by Martha Stewart

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

double boiler
hand-held electric mixer

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

double boiler
hand-held electric mixer

Instructions

1
Prepare double boiler
Fill bottom of double boiler with 2-3 inches of boiling water. The bottom of upper boiler should not touch the boiling water surface.
2
Combine ingredients
Combine everything except the vanilla in top of double boiler.
3
Beat mixture
Using hand-held electric mixer, beat egg mixture on medium low setting for 4 minutes.
4
Add vanilla
Remove from heat. Add vanilla.
5
Finish beating
Continue beating 3 to 5 minutes until icing holds its peaks. Don't over-mix or icing can get grainy.