Buttercream Icing

INGREDIENTS
1 cup vegetable shortening (Crisco)
1 cup butter
2 tsp. vanilla (I use 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 tsp. almond extract)
8 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup milk (Use less than this if you want stiffer icing for decorating)

DIRECTIONS
Mix 1st four ingredients. Slowly add milk until a good consistency. Beat at medium-low speed for 5 minutes.

*This makes enough for a double layer cake (or 9x13) with enough left over to decorate.

**To make pure white icing, use 2 cups shortening (NO BUTTER) and clear vanilla extract. It doesn't taste as good, but it has that store-bought icing look.