Tools

• Electric mixer
• large bowl
• Silicone Spatula

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.

  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

  Hints

  Keep 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.