What can go wrong with Swiss meringue buttercream?

Doesn’t matter why—if your Swiss meringue buttercream looks dense and greasy (or even tastes that way), it’s simply too cold. If the buttercream is lumpy or curdled, place the bowl over a steaming water bath.

Why isn’t my Swiss meringue buttercream whipping?

This happens when the egg whites separate from the butter, thus forming a slippery, curdled buttercream that does not whip together. This happens when you’re butter is too cold. It can also happen to chilled SMBC that has not fully been brought to room temp before mixing.

Can you frost a cake with Swiss meringue buttercream?

Swiss meringue buttercream is a frosting that can be used for topping and filling cakes, cupcakes, and macarons. Because its made by first dissolving sugar into egg whites, it has an incredibly smooth quality that you just don’t get with regular powdered sugar (aka: American-style) buttercreams.

Why is my Swiss meringue buttercream runny after adding butter?

Runny buttercream can either happen when you’re adding in butter while the meringue is still warm, or if you’re adding melted butter or just super soft butter, OR it could be a combination of both of these. MY TIPS: One thing you can do is place your entire bowl of buttercream into the fridge to stiffen it up.

Does Swiss Meringue Buttercream set hard?

Swiss meringue buttercream is a very stable, light and fluffy buttercream that is not-to-sweet. It’s made by dissolving sugar in egg whites and then whipping them to a stiff meringue.

Why is my Swiss meringue buttercream yellow?

Italian, Swiss and French Meringue Buttercream is basically butter added to a big bowl of fluffy egg whites. This means that, while you are still using yellow butter, there is already so much white in the mix you mitigate a lot of the yellow.

Why is my Swiss meringue not forming stiff peaks?

If you did all of this and it’s still not reaching stiff peaks, the meringue could be too warm or it needs a break. See next. My Mixer Needs a Break: By all means, give it a break! Mixers can tire out while beating the cooked egg whites and sugar because this step requires a long period of mixing.

How long does Swiss Meringue Buttercream last on a cake?

Swiss meringue buttercream is great left covered at room temperature for 1-2 days, but after that, refrigerate it for up to 5 days or freeze up to 3 months.

What type of buttercream is best for decorating?

American buttercream is the easiest and most common buttercream frosting—and the quickest to make. It’s often used for piping and decorating cakes. The icing is known for its supersweet flavor and slightly gritty consistency. It’s made with three basic ingredients; butter, confectioners’ sugar and milk.

Does Swiss meringue buttercream melt at room temperature?

Yes, Swiss meringue buttercream is stable at room temperature. Though if eating on a particularly humid day, keep your frosted confections in the refrigerator as close to serving as you can. You can use SMBC under fondant-topped cakes and confections, too.

Does Swiss Meringue Buttercream harden in the fridge?

Is it stable? Yes, Swiss meringue buttercream is stable at room temperature. Though if eating on a particularly humid day, keep your frosted confections in the refrigerator as close to serving as you can. You can use SMBC under fondant-topped cakes and confections, too.

What is buttercream frosting supposed to taste like?

Using salted butter makes the frosting taste like the pound of butter you put in it to the exclusion of all else, while unsalted butter gives a buttery undertone but doesn’t overwhelm. Italian buttercream should taste like whipped cream and just a bit heavier texture. Many people mistake Italian buttercream for whipped cream.

Can I make buttercream icing with salted butter?

What type of butter to use for buttercream frosting: You can use either salted or unsalted butter to make buttercream frosting. A high quality butter that has a higher fat content and lower water content will produce the best buttercream possible.

What is buttercream frosting used for?

Buttercream is a general decorating frosting that is used on cakes, cupcakes and cookies. It can be piped and holds its shape well because it has a medium to thick consistency. Whipped icing covers cakes and cupcakes, but has a light, delicate consistency, so it is only useful for piping borders and not for intricate details.

What is Swiss buttercream?

Swiss buttercream is a combination of egg whites, sugar, butter, and extracts. Italian buttercream is a mixture of egg whites, sugar syrup, butter, and extracts. Meringue-based buttercream is known for having the same creaminess as simple buttercream, but it is a lighter, less rich alternative. It is most often used in pies and macarons.