1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. vegetable shortening
4 c. sifted confectioners' sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tbsp. milk or cream

Cream butter and shortening. Add sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating after each addition. Add vanilla and milk; beat well. For cake icing, add 2 tablespoons more milk. (The recipe can be colored, but if you use liquid coloring be careful of the amount of milk used.) For icing cakes, flowers and border. Enough for a small cake.