Decorating Icing Recipes

Steps:

• Using electric mixer (prefereably not handheld), cream shortening until very soft.
• Add salt, a little powdered sugar and flavorings.
• Alternately add water and powdered sugar, beating on medium speed until frosting is smooth after each addition.
• ***Do not mix on high speed as it will cause bubbles in the finished frosting.
• ***NOTE: This frosting makes enough to frost a 2-layer cake with enough left to make decorative roses, etc.
• for the top of the cake.
• DECORATIONS: Roses, leaves and other decorations can be made by adding tasteless food coloring paste (Wilton is one brand) to the frosting.
• Make decorations, place on plastic wrap on cookie sheet and cover gently with plastic wrap.
• Freeze for up to 1 month.
• ***If you decide to freeze your frosted cake, DO NOT put the decorations on it until after you have thawed both the cake and decorations, as the colored decorations will bleed into the cake frosting when they thaw.
• ***Defrost cake and decorations separately and then place decorations on the cake.
• VARIATIONS: For chocolate frosting, add 3 tbs powdered cocoa to the sugar mixture.
• For lemon, omit butter and vanilla flavorings and add 3 tsp.
• lemon extract.
• COLORED FROSTINGS: Frosting can be made any color you want with tasteless food coloring, but be sure to mix well after adding the coloring.
• WEDDING CAKES: Five recipes of this frosting will decorate wedding cakes as follows: top layer 6-inch cake, middle layer 14-inch cake and bottom layer 18-inch cake.
• This will serve 50-60 people.

Steps:

• Cream butter and shortening then add vanilla.
• Add sugar a cup at a time beating on medium speed.
• Add milk 1 Tbls. at a time and beat on high until completely blended.
• TIP: To cut the sweetness I usually sprinkle some salt in the vanilla (so it will dissolve) before proceeding with recipe as instructed.

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Beat on low speed of electric mixer until well blended and very smooth.

Steps:

• Cream butter and shortening, and add vanilla.
• Gradually add powdered sugar.
• Add milk by the TBSP until icing is desired consistency.
• Color with food coloring, or icing dye.

Steps:

• Sift the cake flour, baking powder and salt onto a piece of parchment paper or into a medium bowl; set aside. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until incorporated. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture in 2 batches until just incorporated. Divide between 2 pieces of plastic wrap; shape into disks. Wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour. (The dough can be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling.)
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Working with 1 disk at a time, roll out the dough on a floured surface, dusting with flour as needed, until about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out shapes with 2-to-4-inch cookie cutters; arrange 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. (If the dough becomes too soft as you work, return to the refrigerator until firm.) Gather the scraps and refrigerate until firm; reroll once to cut out more cookies. Chill the cutouts 30 minutes.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are slightly puffed and just golden, 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely before icing.
• Whisk one 1-pound box confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons meringue powder in a large bowl. Add 5 tablespoons water and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft glossy peaks form, adding up to 1 more tablespoon water if necessary. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel and plastic wrap until ready to use to prevent the icing from drying out.

Steps:

• In a large bowl beat all ingredients (except food colouring) with an electric mixer at medium speed until just combined and smooth (about 1 minute).
• Increase speed to high and beat icing until stiff peaks form, it will take about 3 minutes if you are using a heavy-duty stand mixer, and 4-5 minutes for a hand mixer.
• Beat in food colouring (if using).
• **NOTE** If you are planning to spread the icing instead of piping onto cookies, you might need to whisk in more water (a teaspoon at a time) to acheive the desired spreading consistancy.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, use an electric hand mixer to cream butter until smooth, but not airy. Add milk, vanilla and salt and mix to incorporate.
• Sift powdered sugar over the butter mixture. Mix until incorporated and smooth. Do not overmix, to avoid air pockets in your frosting.
• Divide the frosting and add gel food coloring as desired.
• Use a piping bag fitted with desired tip to pipe flowers onto parchment paper. Freeze the flowers for at least 20 minutes.
• Use a knife to lift frozen flowers from parchment and onto a frosted cake. Arrange as desired.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Combine the shortening, water and vanilla. This will take some time to mix up but it will eventually.
• Add the meringue powder and powdered sugar.
• Mix well - beat for about 3 minutes
• If this is way too stiff you can add a little water at a time. Just remember you want this to be a little thick so you can spread it.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, confectioners' sugar, and milk until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and food coloring. Spread on or between cookies.

Steps:

• Beat together all ingredients except food coloring in a large bowl with an electric mixer at moderate speed until just combined, about 1 minute. Increase speed to high and beat icing, scraping down side of bowl occasionally, until it holds stiff peaks, about 3 minutes in a standing mixer or 4 to 5 minutes with a handheld. Beat in food coloring (if using). If you plan to spread (rather than pipe) icing on cookies, stir in more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, to thin to desired consistency.