My Favorite Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Swiss meringue buttercream is like heaven. It’s so light and fluffy and not at all overly sweet like some frosting. I definitely prefer it over any other kind of frosting.

Ever since I first tasted SMBC I have been searching for a fool proof recipe that I love. I have found that recipe. Trust me on this one. It’s amazing.

Most people seem intimidated by SMBC because of the fact that sometimes it curdles when you’re mixing it up. You have to be patient and know that it’ll come back together. Because of the technique used in this recipe, you won’t have to worry about that here. I was a bit skeptical when I first tried this recipe, but it works every time.

I prefer to refrigerate my cupcakes after frosting them with this SMBC. This will set the frosting. Then bring them to room temperature prior to serving.

One Year Ago: Rice and Beans

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Swiss Meringue Buttercream

This is my favorite Swiss meringue buttercream

Yield: Enough to frost 24 cupcakes

Ingredients:

4 oz egg whites (3-4 large egg whites or about 1/2 cups)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 lb unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tsp lemon extract, almond extract, orange extract, or vanilla extract

Directions:

Lightly whisk egg whites and sugar together over simmering water until egg-white mixture is hot to touch or a candy thermometer reads 140°F (60°C).

Pour hot whites into a room-temperature bowl and whip with a wire whip until double in volume on MEDIUM-HIGH speed. When the mixer stops, the meringue should not move around in the bowl. Meanwhile cut up butter into 2-inch pieces. (The butter should be slightly moist on the outside but cold inside.)

On your mixer, remove the whip and attach the paddle. Add half the butter into the bowl immediately and pulsate the mixer several times until the meringue has covered the butter completely. To pulsate the mixer, turn it on and off in a jerky motion. This forces the butter on the top to the bottom of the bowl. Add the balance of the butter and pulsate mixer several times. Slowly increase the mixer's speed, starting with the lowest speed and increase the speed every 10 seconds until you reach a MEDIUM-HIGH speed.

Continue beating until the mixture begins to look light and fluffy. Stop the mixer and scrape the bowl. Reduce speed to LOW. Add flavoring and continue to beat on LOW speed for 45 seconds. Then beat on MEDIUM-HIGH speed for an additional 45 to 60 seconds.

Leftover buttercream can be placed in plastic containers with lids and kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost completely (several hours) and rewhip before using.

Storage: Store the icing in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Recipe from epicurious

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22 Responses to “Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes”

  1. #
    1
    DeliciousDish — March 30, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    I NEED to make these. I might just start on them tonight!

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    Nutmeg Nanny — March 30, 2011 at 4:35 pm

    These look amazing! I would go into a sugar coma because I would probably want to eat at least three of these gems…haha.

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    3
    Melissa — March 30, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    Oh wow these are my dream dessert! I hope you bring these ones to Cupcake Camp!!

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    Erin — March 30, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    I too have been meaning to make these cupcakes since I first saw them on the internet. I love that you combined several recipes from different bloggers. Awesome recipes, unite!

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    beantownbaker — March 30, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    Like I said, it’s a multi-step process, so starting part of it tonight might be a good idea. If you make them, I definitely want one. These were so good.

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    beantownbaker — March 30, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    Oh that’s a thought… I still haven’t decided what I’m baking for Cupcake Camp…

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    beantownbaker — March 30, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    Definitely give it a shot. They take some time, but it’s SO worth it.

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    8
    Shannon — March 30, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    I’ve been wanting to make these for quite a while as well. My mother-in-law LOVES cookie dough and her birthday is coming up. From all the versions I’ve seen floating around on the internet, I really like yours since you have the LOTS of cookie dough in the middle of your cupcakes. So, you baked the cupcakes with the frozen cookie dough inside? No problems with it baking up? I’m definitely trying this!

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    beantownbaker — March 30, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    Yep, just dropped the dough into the cupcake batter before baking it. The cupcakes did rise up quite a bit and then sank back down as they cooled. I was a little concerned I had underbaked them, but they were delicious. Definitely let me know how they turn out for you if you make them.

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    Jessica — March 30, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    oh my Lord these look amazing! I’m having a girls night next weekend and I’m def going to try these! Thanks!

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    FunandFearlessinBeantown — March 30, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    Once again Jen, you impress me with your creativity!

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    Sarah C — March 30, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    I want, no NEED, to make these. Does it matter what size your cookie scoop is? Mine is a medium size with about 1.5 tbsp volume. Want to make sure it won’t be too much that it prevents the cupcake from baking up (because honestly, it’s not possible for it to be too much cookie dough).

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    beantownbaker — March 30, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    I’m honestly not sure what size my cookie scoop is. It doesn’t have any markings on it to give an indication! I think it’s the standard cookie scoop you’d get at the grocery store if that helps at all… I think 1.5 Tbsp sounds about right though.

  14. #
    14
    Carrie — March 30, 2011 at 11:03 pm

    I’m already trying to decide what occasion to make them for.

  15. #
    15
    Cara — March 31, 2011 at 2:07 am

    I’m still waiting to try these. Just sayin’. 😉

  16. #
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    ErinsFoodFiles — March 31, 2011 at 3:14 am

    WOW! Talk about decadent!

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    beantownbaker — March 31, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    Well I *might* be making these for Cupcake Camp. So, if you make the trip into Boston for that, you might be able to have one! Too bad they’re not appropriate for Passover.

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    Rebel Mel — March 31, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    Who needs dessert at 8am???

    I’ll give you one hint.

    Me.

    😉

    Bookmarking this! I’ve been meaning to make these cupcakes for a while now!

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    DyingforChocolate.com — April 2, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    Will be making these soon. What a great twist.. the cookie is actually a cookie in the baking process. Yum!

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    Jene — April 5, 2011 at 11:47 am

    OH. EM. GEE. I’m SO making these for euchre night on Saturday, just to have an excuse.

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    Lovemytheekidz — March 26, 2014 at 8:00 pm

    I found this recipeast summer and have made it several times for my oldest child, who has requested it again-for her sweet sixteen birthday. Thanks for the awesome recipe.

    • beantownbaker — April 16th, 2014 @ 6:01 pm

      So glad you enjoy it! This is one of our favorite cupcake recipes of all time.

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