flick@sdd.hp.com (Bill Flick) (05/13/91)
The frostings I have been seeing over the last 5 or so days seem to have one item in common - butter. One negative point on using butter is it will not produce pure white frosting, that is unless you use white butter which is a little difficult to find. Also be sure to use clear vanilla so as not to color the frosting. The following recipe was given to me by a master cake decorator (37 years experience) and I find that if I want sweet frosting, it is excellent. Note, the recipe has been reduced from his bakery amounts, and can be reduced more if you so desire. Also, note the use of water instead of milk. This is so that any left over frosting can be stored without souring because of the milk. 5 lbs Powdered Sugar 3 1/2 lbs Sweetex (use Crisco if sweetex unavailable) 12 oz Brite White 1 pint Water 1 T Salt 2 tsp Clear vanilla 1/2 tsp Almond Flavor Place all ingredients in a mixer using the wisk if you should have one for your mixer. Mix at medium speed for at least 10 minutes. The frosting should be completely over the top of the wisk while mixing, as this does not allow any air to be incorporated into the frosting. When finished, you should have an excellent frosting that is workable and will give you professional results. A last note. Sweetex is a product name. All it is, from what I have been told, is super whipped vegetable shortening which makes it very light. Stores that deal in cake decorating supplies (not just Wilton pans, tips, etc) may carry Sweetex in smaller amounts that what we use. They would also carry Brite White. This recipe is not going to be useful to everyone, but it points out a couple of important points. If you want *WHITE* frosting, use only Crisco and/or white butter and clear vanilla. White frosting also gives truer colors when using food coloring. Bright White is a substance that can be purchased at cake decorating supply stores. It is used in place of the same amount of Sweetex (Crisco). Its main function is to make a creamier, fluffier, less sickening sweet frosting. B.