Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

The icing is Wilton's fluffy buttercream icing recipe.

Ingredients:

Crisco solid vegetable shortening - 1 cup
Butter softened - 1 cup

Vanilla extract - 3 tsp

Salt - 1 tsp
Sifted confectioners' sugar - 7 cups
Heavy whipping cream - 3/4 cups

(Option) Icing color - Wilton icing color

Yield: 7 and 1/2 cups buttercream, medium consistency

Steps:

1. In large bowl, beat shortening and butter with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla.
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.
3. Gradually add heavy cream; beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. It may be necessary to add additional sugar/cream for the correct consistency.
4. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use.

To add color, use toothpick to take some icing color and mix in the icing. Keep add more icing color until you get to the color desired. Frosting can be stored in refrigerator for 4 days.