Ask Nancy

Buttercream icing seems to be everyone’s favorite, probably because of its great taste and versatility. It is also so easy to prepare. Buttercream features a sweet, buttery flavor and looks beautiful for most decorating. When made with all vegetable shortening, instead of part vegetable shortening, part butter, the icing is pure white and can be tinted any color – add butter flavoring for rich butter flavor. Buttercream icing is also so versatile, from covering the cake to piping borders, flowers and most decorations. The creamy texture allows flowers and other decorations to remain soft enough to be cut with a knife when serving the cake.