Yup, I said torched. Everybody has a teeny pyromaniac tendency, even you. Mine showed up years ago when Dad took me fishing for the first time. We stayed in an RV parked on the bank of a small lake and dined on Cup O’Noodles, dreaming of the trout we were going to catch. During the day, everyone went fishing, while I wasted several boxes of matches, trying to build a campfire (over damp pebbles). Maybe that’s why my parents signed me up for scouts as soon as we got home.These days, campfires and s’mores still rank high on my list, but I spend more time trying to figure out things like crème brûlée. So, my hubby upgraded me from one of those little cook’s torches to a professional one, you know the one that plumbers use to fuse copper pipes and stuff? It does a great job toasting marshmallow frosting. Everyone should get one. But, before you jet off to the home improvement store, there are a few things you should know:
*The small cook’s torches burn butane which can leave a bad after-taste. My plumber’s torch came with MAP/MAPP gas which is food safe, but might melt the stove. So better switch to propane.
*Have a fire extinguisher handy and the kiddies at a safe distance.
*If you have long hair, tie it up before you start.
* Light the torch away from yourself and the cake. Then adjust the flame – it should be short and burn blue.
Making marshmallow meringue frosting is really not difficult. It just takes a bit of time. The best part is “pulling” the frosting into curly waves all over the cake, which is great fun for the kids. Then roasting it with a torch makes a beautiful finish and fills the air with a sweet, toasty vanilla scent. The cake looks so elegant, like a sophisticated socialite dressed in a shimmering goddess gown.
Someone asked me if my recipe is for Italian Meringue. Honestly, I have no idea if it is French, Swiss or Italian. What I can tell you is that it looks, smells and tastes beautiful. The recipe has a short list of ingredients. Be sure your mixing bowl is very clean and dry – it should have no oily residue. The meringue is essentially cooked when the hot syrup is mxed into the fluffy egg whites.
5-Minute Meringue Frosting
Makes ~2 cups, enough for a 4-layer cake
Ingredients
5-Min Meringue Frosting
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup water
3 free-range egg whites, @ room temp
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla
5 drops food coloring (optional)
Instructions
Reserve the yolks for another recipe. (The hen worked very hard to make it.)
Add cream of tartar and salt.
Pull: Using the flat side of a spatula or knife, touch the frosting and lift 90 degrees away from the cake, to form little curly peaks.
Torch: Roast the waves of frosting with your new torch and serve.
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Wow, this is really a visually spectacular cake! I don't have a torch…might need to invest in one 🙂
I saw your instagram post-it was beautiful. What a fabulous birthdaycake to make for a young lady. Love, love it. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Velva
It does look like a shimmering Goddess gown. And yes! Pyro – primal! Ha. Scares me at the same time. That is one dazzling meringue.
Just wow! A fabulous Meringue frosted cake. Love it.
Oh my goodness, this looks so amazing! It looks like something you would get in a gourmet restaurant! You are an amazing chef!!! Well, done! Can ya make me one too!
Well, isn't Daisy the luckiest girl in the world! I didn't know that about butane vs. propane. I do have one of the small torches, but maybe will consider a large one… Love that you make this. Makes me want a s'mores cake! xo, D
I just have a little kitchen torch. I'll admit the big boy torch scares me. Good for you for conquering it. GREG
Hi Coco,
It looks really fun making a cake with this kind of technique… Plus the frosting makes the cake looking extra impressive!
Zoe
Home Depot or Lowe's!
Hi, Velva. Thanks for stopping by. Love your recipes, too.
Lori, you have to taste it!
Lail! Long time, no see. Happy to see you here.
Doll, you haven't tasted it, but thanks for the vote of confidence! I'll have to make one for when I see you.
Yes, it's very s'moresy. xo
G, you need a nice torch.
Z, you'd make this fabulously!
Dear Colette, I am sure that cute litte Daisy had an amazing birthday – looking at that deliciousness of a cake with that elegant meringue frosting, I am sure that she must have felt very special that day!
Tell her Happy Belated Birthday from all of us!
It is okay to spoil them rotten every once in a while…
Hope all is well and you are spending a wonderful weekend,
Andrea
Oh wow – that frosting sounds AMAZING! I'm going to have to buy a torch just to make this! Thanks for the recipe! 😀