This is a traditional Easy Decorator Icing that bakeries use for birthday and wedding cakes. It’s my favorite because it’s easy to work with, sets quickly, yet it’s easy to manipulate if you make a mistake. It’s creamy, smooth, and can be made in just minutes.
Easy Decorator Icing
This recipe has just 4 ingredients: confectioners’ sugar, solid vegetable shortening, vanilla, and water (or milk). The trickiest part is getting a perfect consistency. Sometimes I need more water, sometimes I need a little less water. But the wonderful thing is that you can manipulate the icing to get the proper consistency by adding more water or more confectioners’ sugar. Consistency is ultra important, it needs to be thin enough to squeeze through the piping tool, but firm enough to hold a shape.
Easy Decorator Icing or what a lot of people refer to as ‘birthday cake’ icing. I use this not only on cakes but also to make cookie sandwiches.
I like to use clear vanilla frosting in this Easy Decorator Icing recipe. Regular, brown vanilla extract will tint your icing slightly. This may be only slightly detectable, but if you’re adding colors to the frosting it can alter them. I find this Wilton brand vanilla at Amazon with free shipping. I like to use pure vanilla extract but haven’t been able to find clear vanilla except in imitation vanilla.
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary based on products used.
While you’re here, check out these recipes
Take 5 Stuffed Cookies
Best Toffee Banana Layer Cake
Chocolate Decorator Icing
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes! You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.
Easy Decorator Icing
Want to save recipes? Create an account or login & then you can use the “Save Recipe” button when viewing a recipe to save it to your Recipe Box. You can access your saved recipes on any device and generate a shopping list for recipes in your collections.
Save To Your Recipe BoxIngredients
- 2 pounds confectioners' sugar
- 1 and ⅓ cup solid vegetable shortening I recommend Crisco brand
- ½ cup milk or water
- 2 teaspoons clear vanilla
Instructions
- Cream the sugar and shortening in the bowl of your electric mixer.
- Add milk or water and vanilla and mix until smooth.
Nutrition
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links. If you click the link and make a purchase I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Visit all my recommended products at Paula’s Picks on Amazon. Read my entire Privacy Policy here.
Cindy Sanders says
This is delicious… it’s been my go to decorator icing for a couple of years now. It never fails me !
Wendy says
Can I make this a couple of days before using it
Paula says
Yes, press plastic wrap directly onto the top of the icing so it won’t dry out. And refrigerate it.
Lora Lara-Gomez says
Icing was easy and delicious. Will one batch ice 24 cupcakes?
Sandi says
I see the ingredients for the frosting but you don’t give the recipe on how to make it.
Paula says
Yes, the ingredients and directions are there. Maybe you didn’t scroll far enough down the page.
D. Morgan says
My recipe is similar except: use 1 cup Crisco (not and extra 111/3), add 1 teaspoon butter flavoring, 1/4 teaspoon almond flavoring. If the cake or cupcakes need to set in a warm area, I will use water, otherwise I use milk. Also, I add 1 heaping tablespoon of Witon’s meringue powder to the mix.