Italian Meringue Buttercream

http://www.recipezaar.com/217454

· 1 cup sugar
· 1/4 cup water
· 5 egg white
· 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. 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.