Buttercream Frosting/Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Buttercream Frosting or *Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
www.whispersofthyme.blogspot.com
(yields enough to frost layer cake)

Ingredients:
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup Crisco Shortening
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring
1 1/2 teaspoons meringue powder (optional)
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 to 2 Tablespoons milk or cream, for desired consistency

Directions:
Mix the butter, shortening, and salt on medium speed for 3 minutes. Add vanilla extract and butter flavoring, then continue to mix until thoroughly blended. Stop mixer and add meringue powder, if using, along with 1 cup powdered sugar. Start mixer on the lowest speed and add the remaining powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until the sugar is thoroughly blended. Add milk or cream, 1 Tablespoon at a time, if needed for desired consistency. Turn mixer to medium speed and continue to beat frosting for an additional 5 minutes.

*Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
www.whispersofthyme.blogspot.com

 
Ingredients:
Prepared Buttercream Frosting (see above).
Four (4) Hershey Chocolate Bars (1.55 ounces each)

Directions:
Prepare Buttercream Frosting recipe as specified above. Microwave four (4) Hershey chocolate bars on medium power until melted. Stir and then set aside to cool. Once cooled, add the melted chocolate to the Buttercream Frosting and blend with mixer until fully incorporated and smooth.