Fabulous Frosting

 Today is my Mom's birthday.  (The Spring chicken she is.)  And unfortunately, she lives in another state so a gift in the mail and a phone call is all the celebrating I can share with her on my end.  She and my Dad, though can party it up in style.  (Maybe a little skydiving, mountain climbing or deep sea fishing?)

My Mom is one of the sweetest and kindest people I know.  She only has nice things to say about others. (Even if they don't necessarily deserve it.)  She is such a terrific lady and we really have a lot of fun when we're together.  (Just ask about the toilet papering incident when I was in High School.  Mom drove the getaway car.)  She grew up with bright curly red hair and would sometimes be teased that she looked like Little Orphan Annie.  The funny thing is that her name is Sandy.  (The same name as Annie's dog.)

So in honor of my fabulous Mom, I'm going to share a recipe for fabulous frosting.  And for all you girls (and guys) who use canned frosting, STOP right now!  Homemade frosting tastes so much better.  Once you try it, you'll never open another can again.  I've learned that the difference between good frosting and great frosting is in the mixing.  The longer you mix it the fluffier it gets.  (I even have one recipe for chocolate frosting that requires mixing for over 15mins.)

Fabulous Frosting
2 cups shortening
8 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup heavy whipping cream
(optional: add coconut or lemon extract for different flavors.)


1) Cream shortening until fluffy in mixing bowl.  (Around 5-6 mins.)
2) Add sugar and continue creaming until well blended.
3) Add salt, vanilla and whipping cream.  (And any additional flavorings.)
4) Blend on low speed until mixed.
5) Add additional whipping cream if needed.
6) Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy.  (The fluffier the better.)

For the cupcake in the picture I added lemon extract and it was yummy.  Usually though, I will add coconut extract and then sprinkle some fresh coconut on top of the cake or cupcakes.  This recipe makes enough frosting for two cakes so if you don't need that much you can try cutting the recipe in half.

My less than professional piping technique usually consists of squeezing a glob of frosting in a ziploc baggie with the tip cut off.

So here's to you, Mom!  Hope you have a wonderful birthday.  I will be thinking of you as I toilet paper the house down the street.  (It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it...)

Do you have a terrific recipe for frosting?  I'm always on the lookout for something yummy.