Ingredients

- 1 cup (150g) of vegetable shortening

(you can use also half butter and half shortening to have a better taste)

- 1 tsp or teaspoon of vanilla extract

- 4 cup (400g) of confectioners sugar (powder sugar)

- 4 tbsp or tablespoon of water or milk

Measure 1 cup of vegetable shortening and cream it in a bowl with an electric mixer.

Add the first cup of sugar and mix until the mixture becomes smooth again.

Add the second cup of sugar and mix until the mixture becomes smooth again.

Add the third cup of sugar and mix until the mixture becomes smooth again.

Add the fourth cup of sugar and mix until the mixture becomes smooth again.

Add one teaspoon of vanilla exctract. Then add water or milk one tablespoon at a time according with the density you want to obtain. Generally speaking you will need a medium density icing. Hard icing is needed mostly for roses, soft icing is needed to write.

Beat at medium-high speed for approximately 10 min, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Keep the mixture covered in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Color your Icing. Using one toothpick, take some color from the its jar and mix with the icing.

If you want a stronger color use a new toothpick to add more color in the icing, you don't wnat to dirty your colors!

Start to ice the cake. We made the Grandma Chocolate Cake and we flip it (so the surface to ice is completely flat). Place 3 tablespoons of icing on top of the cake.
Spread the icing with a spatula. The idea is to make a really thin layer of icing and make it as smooth as possible.
Depending on how you want to decorate the cake on top you might need a thicker layer of icing. Always add one thin layer on top of the other (leaving the cake in the refrigerator for at least 15 min between layers. Do not put one single thick layer (it's really hard to spread uniformly a thick layer).
For example, if you are completely covering the cake with icing stars, it is not necessary to fully ice the cake underneath first. However, if you only have a small decoration or it will only cover a portion of the cake, make sure you fully ice the cake first before decorating.