• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Great Eight Friends
  • Gr8 Food ∞
    • Appetizers
      • Dips and Spreads
    • Beverages
      • Adult Beverages
      • Non-Alcoholic Drinks
    • Bread
      • Quick Bread
      • Yeast Bread
    • Breakfast and Brunch
      • Egg Dishes
    • Desserts and Snacks
      • Cakes and Cupcakes
      • Candy and Confections
      • Cookies
      • Fruit
      • Pies and Tarts
      • Snacks
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • 130+ Main Courses
      • Beef
      • Fish
      • Lamb
      • Meatless
      • Pork
      • Poultry
    • Salads and Dressings
    • Sauces Salsas Marinades
    • Side Dishes
      • Pasta
      • Potatoes
      • Rice and Grains
      • Vegetables
    • Soup
  • Gr8 Friends ∞
    • Gr8 Dinners
    • Gr8 Holiday Ideas
    • Other Occasion Parties
  • Gr8 Fun ∞
    • Debbie's Craft Corner
    • Gr8 Trips
      • Field Trips
      • Vacations
    • Other Gr8 Stuff
      • Our Favorite Kitchen Tools
    • Restaurant Reviews
  • Who We Are
    • GR8 Party Outlines
    • Become a Gr8 Friend!
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Become a Gr8 Friend!
  • Main Courses
  • Appetizers
  • Beverages
  • Bread
  • Breakfast and Brunch
  • Desserts and Snacks
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Salads and Dressings
  • Sauces Salsas Marinades
  • Side Dishes
  • Soup
  • Gr8 Friends
  • Gr8 Dinners
  • Gr8 Fun
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Easy Decorator Buttercream Icing Recipe

    May 11, 2015 by Anna Leave a Comment

    This Decorator Icing tastes just like the birthday cakes of our childhood. It can be used to frost cakes and also thickened for piping and decorating.

    Overhead shot of white frosted cake with pink Happy Birthday writing.

    With only 5 ingredients that you probably have in your pantry, you can create a beautiful, festive cake for any occasion.

    I started decorating cakes years ago when my son was small. Since I didn't want to pay for a bakery cake I had to learn to make them fun for him!

    This icing goes together quickly and is easy to work with, because you control the thickness.

    Decorator Icing

    How to Make Decorator Buttercream Icing

    You can use either a stand mixer or a hand mixer. For many years I only used a hand mixer. The stand mixer is nice because it leaves your hands free to do other things.

    But for sure you should use an electric mixer. I imagine someone really strong with a lot of stamina could whip this up by hand, but I've never tried it!

    Put the shortening into your mixing bowl and cream it on high speed until light and fluffy. Then add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing each time.

    As you add the powdered sugar you'll want to start the mixer out on low then speed it up as you go. Otherwise, you'll have clouds of sugar around your head! This will become very stiff, but not to worry.

    Once the sugar and shortening are incorporated, beat in the vanilla and salt. Then start adding the milk one Tablespoon at a time.

    If you are using this icing just for decorations, then don't thin it too much. The frosting should hold a stiff peak to make sturdy flowers and leaves.

    If you are frosting your whole cake with this, then you'll want it creamier, so that it spreads nicely.

    Five Sesame Street Character cupcakes, Big Bird, Elmo, Grover, Cookie Monster and a pink one.
    Sesame Street cupcakes for my grandson.

    How to Color Icing for Decorating

    Icing is fun because you can basically put ANY decoration on a cake or cupcakes.

    The best type of food coloring to use for your decorating frosting is gel food coloring because it won't affect the texture of the icing.

    If you use a liquid food coloring and need a deep color, you'll end up using a lot and it will thin the frosting too much.

    Overhead shot of white frosted cake with pink Happy Birthday writing.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save this RecipeSaved!

    Please leave a rating!

    4.8 from 36 votes

    Buttercream Decorator Icing

    This icing can be used to frost any cake or cupcakes and it's also Gr8 for piped decorations!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time10 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Buttercream, Buttercream Icing, Decorating Icing, Decorator Frosting, Frosting
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 312kcal
    Author: Anna

    Special Equipment

    • Electric Mixer

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted or whisked to break up any big lumps
    • 1 cup solid shortening, Crisco or Butter, softened (If you use butter, your frosting will taste delicious, but it will not be pure white)
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, clear vanilla is best, if you can find it. Brown vanilla will tint the icing ever so slightly.
    • Pinch of Salt
    • 4-6 Tablespoons milk, any kind, I've even used cream in a pinch.
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • In the bowl of a stand mixer, on high speed, cream your shortening or butter until well softened.
    • Add the confectioner's sugar one cup at a time and continue to beat. Frosting will be thick, but don't worry.
    • Add vanilla and salt and beat until incorporated.
    • Add milk one Tablespoon at a time until frosting is the desired consistency.
    • If the frosting becomes too thin, add more confectioner's sugar. If it is too thick, add more milk.
    • Use as desired.

    Notes

    To make different colors, use gel food coloring located in most craft stores and some specialty food shops.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 8mg | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Great8Friends or tag #gr8food!
    « Buongiorno di Firenze!
    Cheese Tartlets with Green Salad »

    Reader Interactions

    Be a Gr8 Friend and tell us what you think! Cancel reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Be a Gr8 Friend!

    Talk With Us!

    • Jackie Tuler on Ina Garten's Yummy Irish Soda Bread
    • D on Ina Garten's Yummy Irish Soda Bread
    • Tracie on Gr8 Eats Bountiful CALIFORNIA
    • Kyle on Ina Garten's Yummy Irish Soda Bread
    • mmoto on Ina Garten's Yummy Irish Soda Bread
    my foodgawker gallery

    Need More Servings?

    Our recipes will do the calculation for you. Just hover over the number of servings then move the slider to the number desired. (Please be aware: this will not change pan or bowl sizes, so you may have to adjust for that.)

    It's Grilling Season!

    ThermoWorks Thermapen Mk4

    Popular Recipes

    • A mock up of the old TV Guide cover with Green Acres, Lucy and Ricky, I Dream of Jeannie, and Bewitched.
      '60s Sitcoms TV Dinner Party
    • This Buttery Crusted Strawberry Rhubarb Tart is fresh and simple to make. Grab a skillet and some fruit and you will have a delicious dessert!
      Buttery Crusted Strawberry Rhubarb Tart
    • Mixed Field Greens with Arugula Oil and Lemon Vinaigrette
      Mixed Greens with Arugula Oil and Lemon Vinaigrette
    • Spring Pea and Arugula Soup
      Spring Pea and Arugula Soup Recipe

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Our Party Outline

    As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright ©2022 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required