[Aliantha]

This recipe will make about 2.5/3 cups of butter cream frosting.

1 cup of solid white vegetable shortening
1lb pure icing sugar
1 tblsp Meringue Powder
Pinch of salt
flavour to taste eg vanilla, butter and or almond. You can get these at most places that supply baking things. I use a combination of the three, but it's up to your taste buds really. eta: You can also use things like peppermint or strawberry etc. It works really well with this type of frosting too. If you want to make chocolate, just add about 3/4 cup of cocoa, or 1oz of melted dark chocolate (cooled).

So, pop all those things in your mixer and combine them on a low speed. Once they're combined, add several teaspoons of boiling water till you get the right consistency. Usually around 5, but maybe a little more. You want your spatula to be able to stand up at first, but then slowly fall to the side of the bowl if that makes any sense. Once you've achieved that stage, you're ready to do all the swirly things you like.

Oh, one thing, if you're using ordinary colours that are quite runny, add them before you start adding your water. The last thing you want is to have to start adding more sugar to thicken it up again.

Make sure you post some pics here Lola! xx