Is it cheaper?

[LenaGardner]

Is making homemade buttercream icing cheaper? Doing Naomi's practice cake, I've gone through 6 cans of frosting and that is just to ice before the fondant! If the fondant doesn't work out, I'll probably need even more icing for the real cake to make it look better.

I'll gladly make my own. I figure I'll spend about $9 on cans of frosting for the cake if I go that route. Is it cheaper to make my own? And using which recipe? I made it from scratch once 8 years ago but I don't remember the recipe. I got it out of a Disney cookbook LOL

[nikkiARNGwife]

I've never bought canned but i'm pretty sure it would be cheaper..it will definitely taste better though and a simple buttercream is pretty easy to make...this is my go to recipe...

* 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine softened
* 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
* 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
* 2 tablespoons milk

In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use.

I would probably triple the recipe if it's a large cake.

[meems]

i have no idea what canned frosting costs but homemade will taste better.

i've used a recipe similar to what Nikki posted. but using half & half instead of milk. recipe actually called for cream.

also made some swiss meringue buttercream and it was pretty darn yummy.

[Coila]

I dont know about cheaper but I love homemade better! I use Wiltons recipe but I think it is exactly the same as Nikki's...

[LenaGardner]

ok you've sold me

Will try Nikki's recipe...seems like it will be a tad cheaper, and even if it isn't, I can get behind better taste

Thanks girls!

[NeverendingJen]

It's infintely cheaper, and more stable. Add a teaspoon of merengue powder to your frosting to help it to stiffen up(especially good for layering cakes). You can't taste it but it helps a lot.