Buttercream

1-1/2 sticks butter, room temperature
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Beat into oblivion. Didn't like the texture/feel, so I added some shortening and more sugar. Later, added some meringue powder. Very little difference - tougher though


Batch #2
1 stick butter
1/4 c crisco
1/8 c whipping cream + 1/8 c water
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tbsp meringue powder
3 cups powdered sugar
---> WAY too runny - wah! (made after cupcakes - kitchen was too hot, I think)

Batch #3 23 degrees in kitchen (feels cooler)
1/2 c butter
1/4 c crisco
2 1/2 c icing sugar
1/4 c milk
1 tsp ish vanilla
some meringue powder
---> much better - wondering if i measured the butter wrong last time

Batch #4
1 c butter
2 tbsp crisco
4 1/2 c icing sugar
1/2 c milk
1 tbsp meringue powder
1 tsp ish vanilla
---> perfect