How to Make Boiled Icing

Posted on 02 September 2008

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I have had a lot of people ask me – How do you make such great boiled icing?

So I thought I would share my simple yet effective technique. As mentioned boiled icing does taste great especially with the older generation and it is very simple to make.

When you are making your next cake… give the following a try for your icing and let me know what you think.

I would love to hear other variations of the popular boiled icing.

Ingredients

1 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
2 egg whites
1 tsp. vanilla

Method

Step 1

Combine the sugar, corn syrup and the water in a quart pot.

Step 2

In a separate mixing bowl, whip the egg whites until they are stiff and hold a peak. Set aside.

Step 3

Bring the sugar mixture to a boil and then to 238 degrees F.

Step 4

Pour the hot syrup over the egg whites in a steady thin stream, beating constantly.

Step 5

Add the vanilla and beat until cool and of spreading consistency. If icing does not seem stiff enough, beat in 2 or 3 tablespoons confectioners sugar 1 tablespoon at a time until stiff enough to hold its shape. Spread over your next cake and enjoy!

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Tags: beater, cake, icing, sugar, syrup

29 Responses to “How to Make Boiled Icing”

1

giz says:

September 2, 2008 at 6:55 pm

My first visit – nice to see a fellow Canadian. I’ve never made boiled icing. Does it harden up in the fridge? How long is it good for?

Reply
- 1.1
  
  ZestyCook says:
  
  September 2, 2008 at 8:17 pm
  
  Hey Giz, thanks for the comment. I usually always leave the cake with the icing on the counter – covered with a large bowl or
  cake cover. I would say it would last 3-4 days roughly depending on the cake. I like to eat the cake within a couple of days to ensure
  that it is fresh( usually not a problem here).
  
  Let me know how you get along.
  
  Reply
- 1.2
  
  Annachestnut says:
  
  March 17, 2009 at 9:16 am
  
  Is this the shiny icing that used to be used on birthday cakes? it is hard and shiny on the outside and soft and fluffy underneath. Is this the icing?
  
  Reply
  - …
    
    ZestyCook says:
    
    March 17, 2009 at 1:21 pm
    
    Anna, It is the shiny icing that is sometimes found on Birthday cakes….. it will being to stiffen on the outside if left uncovered. Yes I think this is the one
2

Dalla Mia Cucina says:

September 3, 2008 at 4:22 pm

Yumm!! This is very similar to an Italian Buttercream icing.. omitting the butter though! I’m going to give this a try.. thanks for posting it!

Reply
- 2.1
  
  ZestyCook says:
  
  September 3, 2008 at 4:30 pm
  
  Thanks very much – I hope you like it.
  
  Reply
3

Maggie says:

September 9, 2008 at 12:59 pm

I love boiled icing. Thanks for the great instructions!

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4

ZestyCook says:

September 9, 2008 at 6:08 pm

Thank You Maggie!

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5

kang says:

October 5, 2008 at 8:28 pm

I love icing never realised it was this easy to make.. stumbled!

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6

veronicaromm says:

October 5, 2008 at 8:57 pm

this site is amazing.

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7

Reeni says:

October 5, 2008 at 10:34 pm

I haven’t made a cooked icing in a long time. I used to make a seven-minute one, do you know if this is the same? There was a cooked chocolate one too. Thanks for the post, you reminded me of an old favorite!

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8

xarah says:

October 16, 2008 at 10:48 am

first time to search a recipe for boiled icing through net.., sounds intresting so gotta try one.., when i did.., i will tell you the results..,

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9

emmie fr phils says:

December 1, 2008 at 11:10 pm

hi.. thanks! now i know boiled icing is just very easy. merry christmas…

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10

yellahfellah says:

February 12, 2009 at 9:50 am

Have you tried adding a little salt? Other variations of this recipe add about 1/8 teaspoon.

Also, have you tried lesser water (1/3 cup) and also adding 1 to 3 tablespoons of confectioner’s sugar? Will the additional sugar make the icing hard(er) when exposed to the air long enough?

Great site! And it’s nice knowing that you reply to all the comments.

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11

justine says:

March 29, 2009 at 1:52 am

This is my mom’s favorite type of frosting!

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12

gus says:

May 28, 2009 at 7:26 pm

this recipe pretty much got me out of the doghouse

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13

michelle says:

July 16, 2009 at 4:58 am

can you tint a boiled icing? i would like to use this for my son’s birthday tom. thanks so much for the recipe.

Reply
- 13.1
  
  ZestyCook says:
  
  July 16, 2009 at 7:40 am
  
  @Michelle – that is one thing i have not tried but I do not see why not. I would think it will still turn out. Give it a try and let me know.
  
  Reply
14

Sacha Barraca says:

July 19, 2009 at 10:33 pm

Hi. Is that 1 cup of sugar granulated or confectioners? I think this is the icing I’ve been looking for that is like the one I love from my country. Will try it out soon…I’ll let you know.

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- 14.1
  
  ZestyCook says:
  
  July 20, 2009 at 9:54 am
  
  @sacha – that is granulated sugar
  
  Reply
15

Anna Marie says:

August 5, 2009 at 10:52 am

finally i found it, this is the one im looking for… it sounds and looks yummy, im sure my pamangkin would love it… i’m gonna try this next week.. thanks and more power.. pls send me more recipes. thanks

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16

vivian says:

September 28, 2009 at 11:36 am

an answer to my icing problem. How big is the cakethat can cover this recipe? Thanks.

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17

Ceila L. Comboy says:

October 19, 2009 at 1:05 am

hi,

this is celia from philippines. thanks for sharing you ideas. i reallu wish to know more about your secrets in making boiled icing, coz this is always my problem, i want to be a successful baer someday though i am a woman. thank and god bless!

Reply
18

Ceila L. Comboy says:

October 19, 2009 at 1:07 am

another question, which is good to use in making boiled icing? is it confectioner or granulated sugar? i nees your reply pls

Reply
- 18.1
  
  ZestyCook says:
  
  October 19, 2009 at 9:22 am
  
  @Ceila -Confectioner Sugar/Icing Sugar is what you will need to make it.
  
  Reply
19

sheila says:

November 21, 2009 at 7:11 am

hi! can i leave the corn syrup out? i don’t have corn syrup right now..

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20

ronilo says:

December 4, 2009 at 9:55 am

hi its me ronilo can you send some of the recipe of how to make different kind of icing for cake..ronilohotelier@yahoo.com

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21

chai Nucum says:

December 12, 2009 at 6:45 pm

hi Thanks for the receipe..Just want to ask when i made my boild icing suddenly syrup start coming out? Is this normal?Pls,reply Thanks..chai

Reply