Bakery Style Buttercream Frosting

[cat lover]

You know that bakery frosting that you never can quite get the taste of at home? Well this is a home version of it!

1 cup butter ( no substitutions), softened
1 cup shortening ( this is the "seceret" to the bakery taste)
3 pounds confectioners' sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 to 1 cup milk

In a mixing bowl cream together the butter and shortening. Beat in sugar, vanilla, salt and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. You may separate this into different bowls if you need different colors and tint it with the gel, paste, or liquid food coloring.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I like this recipe because it is easy and it can be made into so many colors.

[cat lover]

It is really great tasting too, but because of DH diet he can't eat it any longer. But we have an immediate family gathering coming up and I think I'm going to bake two cakes; one he can eat and one using this icing and telling him he can't have that one! LOL

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I make mine with Mexican vanilla, which cannot be purchased in the US. However, it is the BEST tasting stuff in the world. So, if you ever go to Mexico, get some vanilla. You can get a huge bottle of it, like the size of a bottle of wine, for about $5.

[cat lover]

I've made my own vanilla myself years ago with vodka and vanilla beans and it was really good too! Do you know how their's is made?

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I don't know how theirs is made except it is pure vanilla and artificial. Also, Mexican vanilla is illegal in the US because they use pesticides. Where do you find vanilla beans. I have searched for them and I have never been able to locate them.

[cat lover]

When we go to the big city there is a store called Fruit & Nuts that I had gotten them at. It is a bulk type food store. You might look in a natural style/health food grocery if they have any near you. I haven't bought in in quite awhile, but I'll look in Whole Foods next time I go. I've seen them in the regular spice section in like a Kroger, but you only get one or two whole beans and it is expensive that way. It won't be cheap in the other stores, but at least you can buy at bulk price.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

We just don't have much here. I wil look for the beans in the natural store next time I am out. I just got a student to buy me some Mexican vanilla when he went, so I am not in a hurry. But, I would like to try making my own to see if there is a difference. I know the store bought pure vanilla is watery. Thanks!