Edna's Buttercream Video

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This is for Shelley. She talks a lot about the ingredients in the begining, the actual making of the buttercream starts at 3 min and 28 seconds.

1/2 cup solid high ratio shortening
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 tablespoon of merengue powder
1 teaspoon Clear Vanilla Extract (or extract of choice)
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (approx. 1 lb.)
2 tablespoons milk

In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add vanilla and milk. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating on a slow speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. Keep bowl or covered with a damp cloth until ready to use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this icing can be stored 2 weeks. Don't overwhip or it will bring air to the icing and is impossible to smooth. If you have a kitchen Aid use white attachment, not whip attachment. You can use coffee creamers for flavorings or combine extracts.
YIELD: Makes about 3 cups.
For thin (spreading) consistency icing, add 2 tablespoons light corn syrup, water or milk.
For Pure White Icing (stiff consistency), omit butter; substitute an additional 1/2 cup shortening for butter and 1/2 teaspoon No-Color Butter Flavor. Add up to 4 tablespoons light corn syrup, water or milk to thin for icing cakes.

If you are using a vegetable shortening withouth the transfats, the consistency
of the icing might change. Use whole milk to bring some fat to the mix. Or try to use a vegetable shortening that has all the transfat. For best results, use high ratio shortening.