Making vanilla icing at home includes combining butter, milk, sugar and vanilla. When you make your own vanilla frosting you can ensure that it only contains top quality ingredients.

These ingredients will produce enough icing to frost one 13- by 9-inch cake or 24 cupcakes. Frosting can be made ahead of time and refrigerated. Just stir until smooth and easily spreadable before using.

• • 1/3 cup softened butter
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• • Mixing bowl
  • Mixing spoons
  • Electric mixer (optional)
  • Measuring cups and measuring spoons

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter with the powdered sugar.

2. Mix them together using a mixing spoon or electric mixer set on low speed until they are well blended.http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/recipe.aspx?recipeID=36996&Source=SearchResultPage

3. Add the vanilla extract and one teaspoon of the milk, and mix well.

4. Scrape the sides of the bowl often while mixing.http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,166,158183-248206,00.html

5. Continue to add milk one teaspoon at a time until frosting is the desired consistency.http://www.recipezaar.com/191359

6. Blend until the icing is smooth and creamy with no lumps.http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/001647sugar_cookies.php

7. Frost your cake, cupcakes or desert, or refrigerate to use later.

1. It's much easier to thin icing with additional milk than to thicken it again, so keep in mind that a little milk goes a long way when you're adjusting the consistency.

2. After your icing is thoroughly mixed, you can add food coloring to transform your vanilla icing to any color of the rainbow.http://www.recipezaar.com/12314

3. Icing can be stored in the refrigerator before use, but for the most attractive results, allow the icing to return to room temperature before spreading.http://www.recipezaar.com/314153

4. For the most authentic vanilla flavor, be sure to use real vanilla extract rather than imitation.http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking/fd/features/package/0,14343,1129376,00.html

5. If you need your vanilla icing to be pure white, use vanilla powder or clear vanilla extract instead of regular vanilla extract.