Butter Cream Frosting (Wilton recipe)

Butter Cream Frosting: fun for decorating!

1/2 cup all vegetable shortening (Crisco)
1/2 cup butter softened
4 cups powdered sugar (about 1 lb.)
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla (clear vanilla is best if coloring your frosting it gives it a truer color)

Blend all together til nice and creamy-about 5 min. I usually make a double batch when decorating cupcakes etc.

Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting

1/2 cup all vegetable shortening (Crisco)
1/2 cup butter softened
3/4 cup cocoa (or less if you don't care for a strong chocolate taste)
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
3 to 4 tablespoons milk

Cream shortening and butter with mixer. Add cocoa and vanilla and blend. Gradually add sugar one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.