February 2000: Basic Buttercream Icing

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cups solid vegetable shortening (ie: crisco) white
1/2 cup butter *not margerine
1 tsp. clear vanilla extract
4 cups icing sugar
2 tablespoons milk
Recipe

At room temperature cream butter and shortening with electric mixer. Add vanilla, gradually add sugar, one cup at a time. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. Add the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Good Luck !

Chocolate Buttercream Icing

Using the same ingredients as the above recipe.

Add 3/4 cup cocoa or three 1oz unsweetened chocolate squares, melted, and an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to the above recipe. Mix until well blended.