Buttercream Icing

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine softened
  • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
  • 4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Makes

About 2 1/4 cups of icing.

Tools

  • Electric mixer
  • large bowl
  • Silicone Spatula

Instructions:

Step 1

In large bowl, beat shortening and butter with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla.

Step 2

Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry.

Step 3

Gradually add milk; beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

Step 4

For thin (spreading) consistency icing, add 2 tablespoons light corn syrup, water or milk.

Step 5

For Pure White Icing (stiff consistency), omit butter; substitute an additional 1/2 cup shortening for butter and add 1/2 teaspoon No-Color Butter Flavor. Add up to 4 tablespoons light corn syrup, water or milk to thin for icing cakes.

Step 6

HintsKeep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use.

If using a hand mixer, beat shortening, butter, if used, and liquid first, then add sugar, as above. It may be necessary to add additional sugar for the correct consistency.