Mr. Brown's Italian Meringue Buttercream

This is Warren Brown's recipe. It is INCREDIBLE!!! Timing is the key. You won't be sorry!

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 5
• Yields: 1 cake

Ingredients

• 1  cup sugar
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 5  egg whites
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 2  cups unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into tablespoons

Directions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Slowly pour the hot syrup into the meringue steadily with the mixer still on high.
4. Beat the frosting for 7-10 minutes until the outside of the bowl is room temperature.
5. Beat in butter by the tablespoon. The butter will deflate the frosting a bit.
6. Add in desired flavorings.
7. Flavorings.
8. Chocolate: 1/2 cup melted and cooled chocolate and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
9. Coconut: 1 teaspoon coconut extract and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
10. Coffee: 1 teaspoon espresso powder or 3-5 tablespoons strong coffee.