In this small quaint town, there are few people that you don’t run into on a daily basis. It’s been a culture shock, a climate shock, and definitely a culinary shock since moving to this northern Canadian burg. And while there are moments where I long for my urban desert home, there are also moments of sweet and utter bliss. One of those moments happened when I met Pat.
Pat is a sweet old lady who lives just a few houses down from me. She’s a fun witted grandma with a few stories to tell. She belongs to the same Church as I do, and when you have less than 30 members in your area, you get to know them really well. Pat’s husband passed away last July, and all of her children and grandchildren have long since moved away. She’s been having trouble getting around on her own these days, so she’s moving closer to her family. We have been assisting Pat in packing up her house and finding little treasures along the way.
We stumbled across an old trunk that was filled with love letters, hand-made baby blankets and booties, knick-knacks, and a plethora of hand written recipes. My heart began to beat faster as I ran my fingers through them, and I could see Pat become excited when I asked her about them. She hasn’t cooked much since her husband passed, and it was something she loved to do. She graciously gave me a stack of intriguing recipes and I couldn’t wait to dig in.
The first one that really caught my eye was this Fluffy Brown Sugar Icing.
What I love about old recipes is the way they are written.
Pat wrote: “drops like a hair from spoon” as to know when the brown sugar mixture is ready. It was interesting, and I had to see what she meant.
Plus… hello… FLUFFY BROWN SUGAR ICING!! How could you not want to know what that tastes like?!
Sure enough, the mixture of brown sugar, water and corn syrup becomes thick like a rich caramel and when dropped from a spoon makes tiny (even smaller than pictured) strands that resemble hair.
Then you: “Pour hot syrup in a thin stream into egg whites, beating constantly.”
I thought for sure this wouldn’t work. Maybe I am just really novice when it comes to egg whites, but I assumed pouring a hot liquid into them would almost immediately deflate them.
But no, it didn’t.
In fact, it held it’s shape and gained a glossy shine.
It was amazing, and the taste is stellar. It’s like a fluffy caramel marshmallow frosting.
I dipped many things into that Fluffy Brown Sugar Icing. Chocolate covered graham crackers, pretzels, and peaches. The peaches won in my book. My husband just rolled his eyes said, “Oh, now peaches need frosting?!”
But seriously, this icing would be amazing when paired with just about anything… even a spoon.
Thanks for letting me introduce you to Pat. I have several more recipes that I can’t wait to share with you!
UPDATE: Here are some more of Pat’s Recipes: Cherry Nut Bread and Very Nice Chocolate Frosting
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Fluffy Brown Sugar Icing {Pat’s Recipes}
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 4 egg whites
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix brown sugar, water and corn syrup in a medium saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil. (Be careful, as it will rise, so make sure the sides of your pan are taller). Let it boil at medium to medium high until the syrup drops like a hair from spoon (approximately 10 minutes). Remove from burner and set aside.
- Meanwhile, beat egg whites until stiff.
- SLOWLY pour the hot syrup in a THIN stream into egg whites, beating constantly. Beat until icing holds peaks, then blend in vanilla.
- Let cool to room temp, then store covered in the fridge until ready to use.
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Sandi Jardine
I was so nervous about making this!
But I told myself I had to give it a try and it came out beautifully!
Taste, color, piped so perfectly!
BUT…. It was sooooo sticky and messy everywhere it touched!
I have learned to get over this weirdness when it comes to working on my baked goods – but this is so beyond that! lol!
I laugh because I finished the cupcakes and distributed and keep looking at the sink with the pot, mixer bowl and whisk and everything else it touched – knowing I have to deal with it!
I’ll just put on some gloves and I’ll be fine.
Can’t stress enough that this is VERY much like marshmallow fluff – but actually stickier!
Thanks for posting the recipe!
Paula
I wanted to ask if I can use this frosting on homemade cake ..I want to do the cake of my girl at home and this frosting looks amazing I would like to ask if is any way to add anything so I can do it as a cake frosting…
Barbara varella
Brown sugar frosting
Sue English
If using a thermometer, would it be soft boil? I prefer using thermometer as t is more accurate.
Johnena Hall
Absolutely fabulous frosting. It is such a simple recipe to follow and came out perfect. Thank You for Sharing.
Carolyn
I’ve been using this recipe for many years. To make a smaller amount just half the recipe.
I beat the syrup in until the frosting forms a peak.
This frosting works well when topped with coconut.
Pauline Crossett
What is the recipe for the white fluffy version? Thanks
Carolyn
Instead of brown sugar use white.
Marie
This frosting is amazing, but I don’t know how long to beat it for after I put in the hot syrup….would you know approximately how many minutes it would need to be beaten for….when I made it it came out way too soft….but I still eat the whole thing thank you
Marie
Shawn
If your frosting is a little too soft, it sounds like your egg whites weren’t as stiff as they should have been before adding in the syrup.
Charlene
Disaster from the start! Never thickened to ” hair” consistency, never fluffed up and just crusted the bowl with hard thick layer of gunk…wasted ingredients!
Shawn
Hi Charlene, I’m so sorry you had a fail with this recipe. From what you’re saying it sounds like you overcooked your sugar mixture. The sugar will still be very liquid, but when dropped from the spoon it’ll cool and become whispy like hair. I hope you give it another try because it really is delicious!
Ruth
Is there a temperature to cook it to? I’ve never had luck using non-temperature gauges for making candy syrups.
Carolyn
It will get thicker the longer you beat it.
Kelsey
Absolutely amazing recipe! Works flawlessly every time, and everyone absolutely loves it. I added espresso powder this last time and it was incredible.
Thank you so much for sharing. This is by far my favorite frosting recipe.
Moira
My only regret is that I made the full amount. I have way too much of this and now I have to eat it. I omitted the corn syrup because that sounds way too sweet and substituted vanilla for caramel and almond. Filled macarons with it, great frosting! Will probably turn the rest into buttercream so I can store it for later.
Shawn
Haha! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Sarah
So at its core this is an Italian meringue, that’s all. Throw out all time measurements because all stoves burn differently. It needs to be brought to 240 f and any higher will turn into the hard crack stage. That aside this looks amazing and I’ll be trying this today but I’ll be turning it in in to buttercream by adding brown butter
After the meringue has cooled. Thank you for this amazing idea
Shawn
Thank you for your tips on this Sarah! That’s great info!
Katherine
Thank you for this help. I like specific information because I don’t bake often. Should a double boiler be used for this?
Scott
Not sure what I did wrong, but boiling the brown sugar mixture for 10 minutes over medium to medium high heat? The mixture was burnt at 5 minutes. Stove goes 1 – 10, 10 being high heat. I set it between 6-7. Did I have the heat too high?
Shawn
Hi Scott. You definitely cooked it too long and most likely too high if it ended up burning. Since everyone’s stove top cooks at a different capacity, it’s a suggested and approximate time. You’re looking for the mixture to be stringy when it’s dropped from the spoon. When boiling sugar you have to really keep an eye on it because it can go from perfect to burnt in a matter of seconds.
Scott - the Bald Baker
I got it, this time.
I halved the recipe on both attempts. I didn’t make cupcakes or anything, to frost, so who needs 6 cups of frosting sitting around (to eat)?
Any way, here’s what I ended up doing:
1. I brought the mixture to a boil at medium heat (5-6 on stove knob). Took about 2 minutes.
2. Turned the heat down to about 1 (on the knob) to barely boiling and let it boil until I got about an inch to inch 1/4 “hair” dripping off of the spoon.
3. Removed it from the heat.
4. Whisked the egg whites about a minute (stand mixer, so this part is fast).
5. Poured the hot mixture into the whipped eggs VERY slowly while mixer is on high. This probably took 2-3 minutes.
6. Whipped on high until still peaks formed – maybe 2 minutes.
7. Added the vanilla and whipped again for maybe 30 seconds.
This fluffy brown sugar frosting VS. fluffy white frosting.
Fluffy brown isn’t nearly as sweet as the fluffy white. If you want/need more sweetness, use fluffy white.
Fluffy brown isn’t quite as sticky as the fluffy white.
Fluffy white tastes more marshmallowy (is that a word?) than the fluffy brown.
Fluffy brown is stiffer and in my opinion will pipe better.
The fluffy white lasted 3 days in an air tight container on the counter before is started to soften up.
Not sure about the fluffy brown, I just finished it
Tiana Tam
Yes, I put mine at 5 but honestly you should be able to tell by the smell that it’s starting to burn. That had to have smelt horrible. Plus I would never ever leave sugar alone on the stove top. Im not a cook by any means, I’ve learned these lessons the very hard way. Sugar burns REALLY fast. I was so proud of myself the first time I made this it actually worked. My only thing was everytime I went to use it there was liquid on there bottom so I needed to mix it back up everytime, almost like separating but not that bad.
Carolyn
The way I judge when it is done is by dipping a fork in the syrup. When a fine thread about 6-10 inches drops from the fork it is ready to put into the frothy egg whites. Then beat until it becomes thick or forms peaks.
Rosann
Hello. I would like to know if this frosting would be stiff enough for piping ?
Shawn
Hey Rosann, you can definitely pipe onto cupcakes, but it probably wont have a sharp edge to it if that makes sense?
Rose
Oh my!!!!!! This is delicious!!!! I was looking for a quick and easy frosting to top a cake and this is it. Mind you that this was the first time I even tried to do an egg white frosting.
I didn’t have vanilla extract at home, but I did have almond extract and it ended up spectacular!!
Will be using it for my daughters birthday cake in two weeks.
Thanks!
Shawn
So awesome! Thanks for the comment Rose!
heath
This recipe is actually an Italian Meringue and is Not a buttercream, unless you add butter, which then would be an Italian Meringue Buttercream. (BTW, French Buttercream is made with Egg Yolks instead of Egg Whites.) It’s incredibly important to use a thermometer to make sure the sugar syrup reaches the appropriate “Hard Ball” temperature (250 degrees F), otherwise you’re very unlikely to hit the appropriate temperature just eyeballing it, which won’t pasteurize the raw eggs appropriately, and your meringue won’t have the correct consistency either (resulting in gritty textures, soupy-ness, separation, etc).
Tiana Tam
I was going through the comments and saw yours. Where does anyone call it a buttercream? Her receipe isn’t made with yolks or butter because it’s not buttercream. And I made it exactly how she said, the first time ever making this , did not use a thermometer(dumb sorry) and it came out perfect. I got so many compliments I was so proud of myself.
So don’t know what you’re talking about buddy
Charlotte
At what point do you add the butter?
Shalynn
I tried making the syrup and it just hardened so fast! I’m not much of a cook but I swear I followed the recipe. I have hard caramel
Jaimie
Mine turned into a hard ball, too… and burnt fingers to boot!
Tiffany
How well does this icing travel? I need to make it day 1, travel day 2, eat at party day 3…
Shawn
Hmm… I’m not sure how well it would travel. My gut reaction would be that as long as it’s chilled it should be ok, but on the travel day… I’m not sure how well it would hold up.
Brooke
Would love to know what I did wrong??? Just made this and got a bowl full of soup, would not thicken up and turn into a fluffy frosting, I followed everything the recipe said to do and it just didn’t work!!
Shawn
This is probably due to your egg whites not getting beaten enough or you might have had some egg yolk get in there. Also any oily residue left in your mixing bowl could prevent the egg whites from being beaten properly. Sorry you didn’t get the best results. Those pesky egg whites can be difficult sometimes!
Vinnie
Can I use regular sugar?
Shawn
I’ve never made it with regular sugar, but I’m thinking it would work!
n/a
ORIGINALLY it is made with regular granulated sugar. Just google
Brooke
Any idea what could be effectively a sub for the corn syrup?
Aimée
You just need another type of sugar to mix with the glucose to prevent crystallization. It would alter the flavor a bit, but you could use honey or maple syrup.
Gina Millis
Can you use commercially purchased liquid egg whites, like Allwhites”?
Shawn
Yes, I think that would work just fine.
Aimée
Yes. 1 cup liquid egg white equals 4 eggs.
Judy
Can I use maple syrup
Denise
My dad used to call this boiled icing, he was a chef and made this on occasion for us
Kali Nichols
Does this freeze well?
Andi
Kind of wanting to put this on a key lime pie. Is there any reason I shouldn’t?
Nadine Webel
Thanks for the recipe. I made this back in the 70’s. Making it today for my birthday cake.
Nancy Snyder
Here is a little tip for you. Add a pound of butter to your brown sugar icing and you will get an amazing French buttercream. The first part of this recipe with the sugar and egg whites is Italian Meringue, so by adding butter, you get French Buttercream which is truly amazing.
Also, you will know when your sugar is ready when you can blow a bubble with the sugar….just find a metal utensil with a hole in the end and at 242 or firm ball stage, you can blow a bubble (or sting hair)
I have made Italian Meringue with sugar, syrup, maple syrup…the results are the same if you reach 242 F.
Afia
At what part would you add the butter? And how. Never made buttercream, but this sounds delicious
Joyce
Hi, could you replace the corn syrup with something like golden syrup or maple syrup? Corn syrup is very hard to find over here. Thanks
Cheryl
Hi Joyce,
It is my understanding that Golden Syrup is the closest equivalent you have to our corn syrup and it’s very often used in recipes calling for corn syrup. So yes, you should be able to use it and it should turn out great.
Teresa
Hello,
Do you stir the syrup mixture during the boing process?
Shawn
You can stir the syrup mixture when it’s boiling.
Val
Shut the front door! This frosting is amazingly beautiful! My friend asked me to bake her daughter a dairy free cake. I made depression chocolate cake and tried this icing. So glad I did. It’s glossy, smooth, beautiful and tasty! Thank you!
Rebecca Blank
has anyone tried adding butter to this recipe to make a Italian meringue buttercream?
Jill L Fauth
Followed the recipe, and indeed it made the most tasty frosting. It is a new favorite. I was getting tired of buttercream frosting and this is just divine and quick to boot!
Bonnie Rowe
can you use dark corn syrup instead of clear?
Shawn
Yes!
Darlene
I have made this recipe several times now but NEVER use more than 2 eggs whites (lg or ex-lg). My frosting is far more creamy, thick, and far more caramel taste with only 2 egg whites.
It is very important not to stir the sides of the pot while it boils. This will prevent the frosting from going sugary the following day.
Shawn thank you for sharing this delicious recipe. Your boiled icing recipe is the best I have found. This is perfect.
Thank you, Darlene
(Nova Scotia)
Shawn
The size of egg whites varies so much! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipe though!
Megan
I tried this and did it twice but it never fluffed up it thinned out. Now it’s mush. What can I do to fix it? To maybe make it thicker at this point it’s oversized and won’t do anything
Shawn
Are you referring to your egg whites that didn’t fluff up? It can take time to whip some air into them, just keep going until soft peaks form… but not too long or it will fall flat when you add the sugar. Hope this helps!
Vicky
Hi Shawn,
I saw this recipe posted on Pinterest and saved it immediately. My Mom made a scrumptious cake and this is the frosting she used. I’ve never known the recipe but when I read this one had brown sugar in it I knew this was the one I was looking for. I’m wondering if Pat put this on a specific cake? Are you able to ask her? I would sure appreciate it. I was a child when we had it.
Thank you very much.
Shawn
Hi Vicky, I’m so glad you found the recipe! Pat has passed away, but when she was alive, she did tell me that she would put this icing on a chocolate or spice cake. I hope you enjoy it!
Katherine
My moth-in-law put this on angel food cake. After it’s on the cake, don’t forget to put some down the hole too, you can use the flat side of a spatula to touch the icing and lift straight out from the cake. This will make pointy little leaks all over the cake.
Yna Mendoza
Hey there! How much frosting does this recipe yield? And is there an exact temperature I need to boil my sugar mixture to? Thanks a lot!
Shawn
It should be enough to cover two 8″ layers, if that helps! 🙂
Lillian
Hi Shawn,
I had this recipe pinned on Pinterest for years and I finally got the courage to do it! It came out great. It tastes like brown sugar Fluff. I used it to frost a yellow cake and it was a great combination. Kids loved it! Thank you.
Julie
Will it work to add food coloring this?
Shawn
I would use the icing gels, but yes, I think that would work just fine.
Diana
Have you every used this recipe to pipe flowers? I am hesitant that it will be too thin to hold it’s shape.