Chocolate Italian Meringue Buttercream Food

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE CLOUD ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Place the chocolate in a medium, microwave-safe bowl. Heat the chocolate in the microwave, stirring with a silicone spatula every 15 seconds, until almost completely melted. Remove the chocolate from the microwave and continue stirring until fully melted. Allow it to cool until it is no longer warm to the touch but is still fluid. Meanwhile, make the buttercream base.
• Wipe the bowl and whisk attachment of an electric mixer with a paper towel dampened with a little lemon juice or vinegar to eliminate any traces of grease. Put the egg whites and a pinch of salt in the bowl, then set aside. Place 2 tablespoons of the sugar in a tiny bowl and keep near the bowl of egg whites.
• Place the remaining sugar and water in a small saucepan and set over high heat. Do not stir. Cover the saucepan with its lid and allow to come to a boil, swirling the saucepan a few times to combine. (Covering the saucepan will cause condensation that will help wash away any sugar crystals that may have stuck to the sides). Once the sugar mixture has reached a boil, remove the lid and attach or hold a candy/food thermometer to the side of the saucepan and cook until the sugar mixture reaches 230F/110C.
• Once the syrup reaches about 230F/ 110C, immediately begin to whip the eggs whites on high speed until foamy. Gradually add in the reserved 2 tablespoons of sugar, and continue to whip until stiff, but not dry peaks form, about 30 more seconds.
• Meanwhile, continue to cook the syrup until it reaches between 240F/ 115C and 245F/118C. Typically (and ideally), the syrup will reach this temperature by the time the whites are whipped.
• Once the syrup reaches between 240F/ 115C and 245F/118C, remove it from heat immediately and with the mixer still running on high speed, pour the hot syrup into the egg whites in a thin, steady stream. Try to avoid getting the syrup on the sides of the bowl.
• Beat until the egg white mixture triples in volume, turns super white and glossy, hold stiff peaks and the bottom of the bowl has cooled. This is now basically marshmallow fluff or meringue frosting. It is very important to make sure that the meringue is at room temperature and not warm one bit at this point.
• With the mixer running on high speed, add the butter one piece at a time. The buttercream will now deflate, curdle and lot like a disastrous soupy mess. Don't worry; its supposed to happen. Just keep the faith and continue whipping until the buttercream comes together and is thick and fluffy. It may take up to 5 minutes to reach this point. If that doesn't happen, then chances are that either the meringue was warm or the butter was too soft. It's not the end of the world! Just place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes (do not get too cold), then rewhip. Add in the vanilla and continue whipping for another 3 minutes. Congratulations! Now you have vanilla Italian meringue buttercream. Now let's turn it into a chocolate buttercream cloud.
• Make sure that the melted, cooled chocolate is completely fluid without any solid pieces or you'll end up with chocolate pieces throughout your frosting. Likewise, make sure that its not warm, or it will melt the frosting. Pour the melted chocolate over the buttercream and fold it in with a rubber spatula. Return the bowl to the mixer and beat until smooth and uniform in color; 1 to 2 minutes. Woohoooooo! Your chocolate cloud buttercream is now ready to use!
• The buttercream will keep covered at room temperature for 1 day, refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Bring the buttercream to room temperature before using. Rewhip to restore the spreadable consistency, but, to avoid curdling, not until the buttercream has reached room temperature.
• Use as desired or frost on top of these Chocolate Cloud Cupcakes.

CHOCOLATE ITALIAN BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring sugar and 2/3 cup water to a boil. Continue boiling until syrup reaches 238 degrees on a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage).
• Meanwhile, place egg whites in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat on low speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar, and beat on medium-high speed until stiff but not dry; do not overbeat.
• With mixer running, add syrup to whites in a stream, beating on high speed until no longer steaming, about 3 minutes.
• Add butter tablespoon by tablespoon, beating until spreadable, 3 to 5 minutes; beat in vanilla. If icing curdles, keep beating until smooth.
• Turn the mixer off and fold the chocolate into the buttercream with a spatula. Then mix on low in your mixer until fully incorporated.

CHOCOLATE ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Start by melting the chocolate, because it needs time to cool down before it's added to the frosting. Place 3/4 cup of chopped up chocolate or chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 15 second intervals, stirring between intervals to help the chocolate melt more evenly. Once the chocolate is mostly melted (usually takes 4 intervals for me), stir until smooth, then set aside to cool.
• Next, clean your mixing bowl and whisk attachment with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to remove any residual grease from prior baking. This helps ensure your egg whites whip up properly.
• This part is important, so please take note! From the 2/3 cup of granulated sugar, remove two tablespoons and place them into a separate small bowl next to your stand mixer.
• Place 2 large egg whites and 1/4 tsp of salt into your mixing bowl and start to mix on high. Slowly pour in the reserved 2 Tbsp of sugar into the egg whites and continue to mix on high until stiff peaks form.
• Pour the remaining sugar (about 1/2 cup) and 1/4 cup of water into a small saucepan and heat over a medium high heat. Cover the saucepan with its lid and swirl the pan around a few times to help the sugar and water combine. There is no need to stir the mixture! Let the mixture sit until it begins to boil, then remove the lid and use your digital thermometer to monitor the temperature. Continue to heat the sugar mixture until it reached 240 F or 115 C.
• Once it reaches 240 F or 115 C it's time to pour the sugar syrup into the whipped up egg whites! Remove the pan from heat and turn your stand mixer on high. With the mixer running, carefully pour the sugar syrup into the egg whites in a slow, steady stream. Try to pour the syrup directly on top of the egg whites and avoid having it hit the side of your bowl.
• Continue to mix on high until the mixture increases in volume and becomes shiny with stiff peaks. At this stage it's marshmallow frosting, which is great for s'mores flavored treats or pies!
• Feel the bottom of your bowl and make sure the meringue isn't still warm. If it is warm, let the meringue sit for a few minutes to continue to cool down.
• Once the meringue is at room temp, mix on a medium high speed and slowly add in 1/2 cup of room temperature butter in small chunks (about 1 Tbsp).
• My buttercream sometimes deflates / curdles once all the butter is mixed in. But don't worry, that's normal! Allow the buttercream to continue to mix on a medium high speed until it comes back together and fluffs up again. This can take anywhere from 3-10 minutes.
• If the frosting still hasn't come back together at this point, please refer to my detailed troubleshooting guide in the post above.
• Next, pour in the melted and cooled chocolate. It should no longer be warm to the touch but still fluid.
• Combine 1 tsp of vanilla extract and 1 tsp of instant coffee (optional) in a small bowl and pour into the frosting.
• Mix on a medium high speed until the ingredients are combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula.
• One batch of frosting makes about 2 cups of frosting, which is enough to frost a batch of cupcakes of fill a small cake.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Chop the chocolates and place them in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan simmering water. Stir until melted and set aside until cooled to room temperature.
• Mix the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Place the bowl of egg whites over the pan of simmering water and heat the egg whites until they are warm to the touch, about 5 minutes. Return the bowl to the electric mixer and whisk on high speed for 5 minutes, or until the meringue is cool and holds a stiff peak.
• Add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, while beating on medium speed. Scrape down the bowl, add the melted chocolate, vanilla, espresso, and rum, if using, and mix for 1 minute or until the chocolate is completely blended in. If the buttercream seems very soft, allow it to cool, and beat it again.

CHOCOLATE SWISS MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• In medium glass or metal bowl, beat egg whites and sugar with whisk until blended. Set over pan of simmering water, beating occasionally, until sugar has dissolved and egg mixture reaches 160°F on candy thermometer, 16 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Pour into bowl of electric stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Beat on high speed 2 to 3 minutes or until glossy peaks form and bowl has cooled to feel slightly warm. Still on high speed, slowly add 1 1/2 cups softened butter, one piece at a time, scraping side of bowl occasionally, until mixture is smooth, thick and shiny, 12 to 14 minutes. Beat in vanilla. If mixture separates, beat until smooth.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave chopped chocolate uncovered on High 60 seconds, stirring halfway through microwave time. Continue to microwave in 10-second increments, until chocolate can be stirred smooth. Let stand 10 minutes. Beat cooled melted chocolate into frosting until smooth.
• Fill and frost 1 (8-inch) three-layer cake.

ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Pour egg whites into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment; beat on low speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar, increase speed to medium-high, and beat until stiff peaks form.
• Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Cook until syrup reads 240 degrees F (115 degrees C) on a candy thermometer or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when placed on a flat surface.
• Increase mixer speed to high and pour syrup in a slow and steady stream down the side of the bowl, beating until meringue is no longer steaming, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in butter one cube at a time until buttercream reaches a soft and spreadable consistency, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in vanilla extract.

ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring sugar and 2/3 cup water to a boil. Continue boiling until syrup reaches 238 degrees on a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage).
• Meanwhile, place egg whites in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat on low speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar, and beat on medium-high speed until stiff but not dry; do not overbeat.
• With mixer running, add syrup to whites in a stream, beating on high speed until no longer steaming, about 3 minutes. Add butter bit by bit, beating until spreadable, 3 to 5 minutes; beat in vanilla. If icing curdles, keep beating until smooth.

SARAH'S ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Pour egg whites into the clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment; beat at medium speed until frothy. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
• Combine remaining 1 cup sugar and water in a small saucepan. Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan and place over low heat. Cook until syrup reaches 244 degrees F (117 degrees C) or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a firm but pliable ball.
• Increase mixer speed to high and pour syrup in a slow and steady stream down the side of the bowl, beating until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-high and continue beating until meringue is stiff and the sides of the bowl feel barely warm, 3 to 4 minutes more.
• Beat in butter 1 tablespoon at a time until smooth. Switch to the paddle attachment, add vanilla extract, and beat on high until buttercream is light and fluffy, 4 to 7 minutes.

MR. BROWN'S ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Boil 1 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water over medium heat until it reaches 245. As it cooks begin meringue so it's ready when syrup is done.
• Whip egg whites with a wire whisk in a stand up mixer on high until soft peaks form. About 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle in 1/4 cup sugar. Beat.
• Slowly pour the hot syrup into the meringue steadily with the mixer still on high.
• Beat the frosting for 7-10 minutes until the outside of the bowl is room temperature.
• Beat in butter by the tablespoon. The butter will deflate the frosting a bit.
• Add in desired flavorings.
• Flavorings.
• Chocolate: 1/2 cup melted and cooled chocolate and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
• Coconut: 1 teaspoon coconut extract and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
• Coffee: 1 teaspoon espresso powder or 3-5 tablespoons strong coffee.

ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• In a small heavy saucepan, combine 3/4 cups sugar sugar and water. Bring to a boil; cook over medium-high heat until a thermometer reads 250° (hard-ball stage), 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, using a stand mixer, beat egg whites in a large bowl on high speed until foamy. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved and soft peaks form. , Slowly pour hot sugar syrup over egg whites while beating continuously. Continue beating on high until mixture cools to room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes., Gradually add butter, a few tablespoons at a time, beating on medium after each addition until smooth. Beat in vanilla.

ITALIAN OR COOKED MERINGUE

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and water in saucepan and stir well. Cook over medium-high heat but do not stir. Instead swirl pan by the handle.
• Continue swirling pan and bring mixture to boil. Let it boil until the liquid becomes completely clear.
• Reduce heat; cover pan and continue to simmer while beating whites.
• Beat whites slowly until they become foamy. Then beat in cream of tartar and salt. Increase speed and beat whites until stiff peaks form.
• Uncover sugar syrup; insert candy thermometer and boil until the temperature reaches 238 degrees, the soft-ball stage.
• Remove from heat; start to beat whites at medium speed and slowly pour boiling syrup into whites, beating all the time. Continue to beat until the mixture forms stiff peaks, about 8 minutes. The meringue is the proper consistency if it does not move when a spatula is run through it.

ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Separate the egg whites and put them into the mixer bowl.
• In a heavy bottom pot, add the water and almost all the sugar, except for about 2 oz. Add the remaining sugar to the egg whites.
• Cook the sugar and water to 245ºF, or if you're at high altitude, about 238ºF. Have the pastry brush and bowl of water near the stove. Stir the sugar and water until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Dip the pastry brush in the water and run it around the inside of the pot to dissolve any crystallized sugar. Continue doing this.
• Turn the electric mixer with the egg whites on high, so that when the sugar mixture reaches the right temperature the egg whites will be at soft peaks. I usually turn it on when the sugar mixture reaches 200ºF.
• When the sugar mixture reaches the right temperature, and the egg whites are at soft peaks, take the pan over and SLOWLY pour the sugar mixture down the side of the bowl into the egg whites while the mixer is still whipping the egg whites. If you pour too fast the egg whites will curdle. Avoid spilling the sugar mixture on the whisk, or you'll get hard chunks in your buttercream.
• Once the sugar mixture is completely poured into the egg whites, turn the mixer down to low until the meringue is completely cool. About 20 minutes.
• Once the meringue is completely cooled, slowly add the butter at medium speed, one piece at a time until completely incorporated.
• Turn the mixer up to high and mix until the butter is emulsified. The buttercream will look like it's separating, but keep mixing it. Once it comes together again, mix it on high for about 5 minutes.
• At this point you can make any variations to the recipe. Or just use the buttercream.
• Variations: Spiced Buttercream--Add cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger to taste.
• Chocolate Buttercream--Melt bittersweet or semisweet chocolate over a bain marie. Add just enough chocolate so you can taste it, but the buttercream still retains its stiffness. After you add the chocolate you'll need to whip the buttercream until it's at soft peaks again.
• Refridgerate any buttercream.