Buttercream icing

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Permalink Reply by Karen Blunden on May 25, 2012 at 3:56am

If you are using normal granulated sugar this is probably the problem using powdered sugar (icing sugar) instead should fix this problem.  I never use shortening but butter, you could use half shortening and half butter this will give the icing a better flavour than just shortening.  You should beat the butter/shortening until light and fluffy before adding your sugar which should be sifted.  Hope this is helpful,

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Permalink Reply by Shilpy on May 25, 2012 at 2:47pm

Thanks but wanna to ask one more.should I use granulated sugar as such or after grinding.and some people suggest should use 1-2 tbs hot water?

Karen Blunden said:

If you are using normal granulated sugar this is probably the problem using powdered sugar (icing sugar) instead should fix this problem.  I never use shortening but butter, you could use half shortening and half butter this will give the icing a better flavour than just shortening.  You should beat the butter/shortening until light and fluffy before adding your sugar which should be sifted.  Hope this is helpful,

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Permalink Reply by Karen Blunden on May 25, 2012 at 9:03pm

Yes you can use granulated sugar but you will first have to grind it to a fine powder.  If you just add granulated sugar and some hot water the water will dissolve some of the sugar but not all so it will probably still be a bit gritty.  Best to use powdered sugar (icing sugar) if you can.
Shilpy said:

Thanks but wanna to ask one more.should I use granulated sugar as such or after grinding.and some people suggest should use 1-2 tbs hot water?

Karen Blunden said:

If you are using normal granulated sugar this is probably the problem using powdered sugar (icing sugar) instead should fix this problem.  I never use shortening but butter, you could use half shortening and half butter this will give the icing a better flavour than just shortening.  You should beat the butter/shortening until light and fluffy before adding your sugar which should be sifted.  Hope this is helpful,

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Permalink Reply by June Kowalczyk on May 25, 2012 at 11:16pm

There is nothing wrong with your recipe. I sometimes use all shortening, & sometimes half butter half shortening. But I always add butter flavor, which cuts the greasy taste. But you must use icing/powdered sugar or you will get a gritty icing.
Do you own a blender? If so it is SOooo easy to make your own. I cup of regular white sugar & 2 tblsp of cornstarch. Put into your blender, whir it up & presto....icing sugar. There lots of "how to's" on the web on how to do this.
Good luck. Post your results.
:0)

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Permalink Reply by Shilpy on May 25, 2012 at 11:26pm

Thanks for reply.actually I am using icing sugar 10 x but still more sweet and main concern is not smooth.iwhen you eat little crunchy I felt .i want to fix this problem.

June Kowalczyk said:

There is nothing wrong with your recipe. I sometimes use all shortening, & sometimes half butter half shortening. But I always add butter flavor, which cuts the greasy taste. But you must use icing/powdered sugar or you will get a gritty icing. Do you own a blender? If so it is SOooo easy to make your own. I cup of regular white sugar & 2 tblsp of cornstarch. Put into your blender, whir it up & presto....icing sugar. There lots of "how to's" on the web on how to do this. Good luck. Post your results.
:0)

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Permalink Reply by Deah on May 25, 2012 at 11:32pm

Could be that your sugar has too much cornstarch. I've heard about this with store brand or off brand sugar. Also could be that you aren't mixing it enough.

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Permalink Reply by RoseMarie Poirier on May 25, 2012 at 11:51pm

1/2 cp shortning, 1/2 cup butter beat until creamy add 4 cups C&H powder sugar, 1 cup at a time mixing well after each cup add 3 or 4 tablespoons milk in the process, after all is mixed in beat for 4 or 5 min.

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Permalink Reply by Shilpy on May 26, 2012 at 12:09am

Thanks ...

RoseMarie Poirier said:

1/2 cp shortning, 1/2 cup butter beat until creamy add 4 cups C&H powder sugar, 1 cup at a time mixing well after each cup add 3 or 4 tablespoons milk in the process, after all is mixed in beat for 4 or 5 min.

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Permalink Reply by Shilpy on May 26, 2012 at 12:09am

Thanks ...

Deah said:

Could be that your sugar has too much cornstarch. I've heard about this with store brand or off brand sugar. Also could be that you aren't mixing it enough.

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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Erskine on May 26, 2012 at 11:26am

Us cinfectioners sugar or powdered sugar.  If you still have a problem sift it

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Permalink Reply by Eileen S on May 27, 2012 at 8:21pm

I use basically the same recipe as RoseMarie, only I use half-and-half instead of milk and I go by lbs instead of cups for the powdered sugar.  My trick to smooth frosting is to let it go in the KitchenAid mixer for a good 7 - 10 minutes until it is super super smooth - there will be very few "gaps" as the frosting mixes. 

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