Easy Cake Decorating Icing

Whether it's a birthday, shower, anniversary or wedding, what celebration would be complete without a delicious cake covered in yummy butter cream icing? Decorating cakes at home is not difficult with the right tools and an easy icing recipe. Because this recipe does not contain butter or margarine, it does not melt as quickly, making decorating the cake easier.

Easy Butter Cream Icing

In a large mixing bowl, cream 1 cup of vegetable shortening with ½ teaspoon of clear vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon of butter flavored extract. With the mixer setting on medium, gradually add 1 pound of confectioner's sugar; scrape the bowl frequently when adding the sugar. Add 4 tablespoons of water and mix until fluffy. Place a damp towel over the bowl while using the icing and store the icing in the refrigerator in an airtight container for two weeks. Makes approximately 3 cups of icing.

If you want to write with the icing, thin it by adding small amounts of white corn syrup. The amount of corn syrup added will vary depending upon how much icing is being thinned, but use no more than 2 tablespoons for the entire recipe of icing.

Chocolate Butter Cream Icing

To make a chocolate butter cream icing, follow the recipe for basic butter cream icing. Then slowly mix in either 1 cup of cocoa powder or 7 ounces of melted unsweetened baking chocolate.

Vary the flavor of the chocolate butter cream icing by adding other flavorings instead of the vanilla extract, such as mint, raspberry or orange extracts. You also can make mocha chocolate icing by using 4 tablespoons of strong cold coffee instead of the water.

References

• Helen Jones; Cake Decorator; Waco, Texas
• Wilton Icing Recipies

Resources

• Clear Vanilla Extract

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[grannykaren]

on 11/18/2009 Very good tips. I had not thought of putting flavorings in with the chocolate.