SnowWhite Buttercream

By LoriCaputo

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup water
• 4 Tablespoons Meringue Powder
• 12 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (about 3 lbs.)
• 1-1/4 cups shortening (Note: I have tried using ½ butter / ½ short. And have had no problems – LC)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon No Color Almond Extract
• 3/4 teaspoon Clear Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 teaspoon No Color Butter Flavor

Preparation

Step 1

This buttercream icing has an ideal consistency for frosting cakes. It is usually not necessary to thin this icing for frosting cakes. Do so accordingly if you prefer a thinner consistency for spreading. It has a firm quality making it good for wedding cake decorations and flat surface or flower nail flowers. Air dry decorations for 24 hours.

Combine water and meringue powder; whip at high speed until peaks form. Add 4 cups of sugar, one cup at a time, beating after each addition at low speed. Alternately add shortening and remainder of sugar. Add salt and flavorings; beat at low speed until smooth. YIELD: 7 cups icing.
Recipe may be doubled or cut in half; however, if cut in half, yield is only 3-1/2 cups.