Decorating Icing

Way back in the early 90's, when I moved away and started my first 'real' job, I took a cake decorating class.  I've made many cakes since that time, and have probably forgotten a lot of the techniques over the years, but I have held onto the original recipe for decorating icing.  Most recently I've used the icing to decorate Christmas cookies.  It is good for spreading and piping.

Decorating Icing

1/2 cup margarine or butter (stick, cold and firm)
1/2 cup white shortening (ex. Crisco)
4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbs. milk or cream

With mixer, beat butter and shortening until creamy.  Add sugar, beat until blended then add milk and vanilla.  Beat on high speed 5 minutes.
(for chocolate, add 1/2 cup cocoa or 3 - 1 oz. unsweet chocolate squares, melted, and 1-2 Tbs. milk)