Icing recipes for icing a birthday cake?

I need a recipe for icing that isn't terribly sweet. Everytime I make icing it is too sweet, then I add more butter/cream to tone it down and I end up over mixing it and then as you know, it just sucks.





Anyone have a really great, not too sweet, icing recipe?Icing recipes for icing a birthday cake?
This is the recipe we use in Wilton cake decorating classes:





1 cup shortening


2 tablespoons water


1 teaspoon clear flavoring(s)


1 lb. (4 cups) confectioner's (powdered) sugar, sifted if lumpy


1 tablespoon Meringue Powder


(+2 additional tablespoons of water to yield a thin consistency frosting for icing the cake)


Note: this recipe yields about 3 cups of icing, enough to ice a 8 inch double layer cake, or a 9x13 cake when thinned down to the proper consistency for icing a cake. To have more icing for decorating, another batch of icing will be required.





Combine shortening, water and flavorings in mixture bowl; mix at low speed until liquids are incorporated into the shortening. Add powdered sugar and Meringue Powder and mix at low speed. Recipe as made with 2 tablespoons of water will yield a stiff consistency of icing, for making roses and flowers with stand-up petals. Add one additional tablespoon of water (a total of 3) for medium consistency, for borders, figures and flowers with flat petals. Add two additional tablespoons of water (a total of 4) for medium consistency, for icing the cake or for writing, making leaves, stems and vines.





Wilton makes 3 clear flavorings; they will not color your icing, so if you want pure white icing, they are a must. (Also, if you use butter you cannot maintain a pure white color.)





For a less sweet icing, I temper the sweetness by using all 3 clear flavorings-Vanilla, Butter Flavor, and Almond. The Almond flavoring gives the icing a more grown-up taste; less sweet etc. Just combine the flavorings to make 1 full teaspoon. I generally use 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon of each the butter and almond flavorings.





Another way to temper the sweetness of any icing recipe is to add a pinch of salt when mixing.





The first link in sources leads you to icing recipes at Wilton.com, where you can find other icing recipes, including ones made with all butter or a combination of butter and shortening. The second link takes you to CakeCentral.com, a site frequented by cake decorators of all skill levels. You can click on the Recipes tab to look for icing recipes.





You can find the Wilton clear flavorings and Wilton Meringue Powder in craft stores that carry cake decorating supplies (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabrics, etc.) and in some SuperWalmart locations (again, in their craft area, not in the baking aisle.)





Feel free to email me if you have more questions!





Happy Baking!


MariaIcing recipes for icing a birthday cake?
How about cream cheese frosting? I find that it's not as sweet as others.





1/2 c. butter


1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened


1 tsp. vanilla


1 lb. powdered sugar, sifted





Combine butter, cream cheese and vanilla in large bowl and beat until well blended. Add powdered sugar gradually, beating vigorously. If too thick, thin with milk to spreading consistency. Frost between layers, top and sides of layer cake. Frost top and sides of sheet cake.
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Wedding Cake Icing


Very Easy! Add a little more water to ice the cake and a little less to make the decorations!





INGREDIENTS


1 cup shortening


1/2 teaspoon salt


1 1/2 teaspoons clear imitation vanilla extract


1/4 teaspoon almond extract


1/2 cup water


8 cups sifted confectioners' sugar


DIRECTIONS


Mix shortening, water, vanilla, almond extract, and half of the powdered sugar with a mixer for 5-10 minutes. (it's very important to mix this long)


Add the rest of the powdered sugar and beat just enough to mix in.


Add additional water for desired consistency.
foodnetwork.com
he best way of controlling sweetness is to buy whipping cream....it has no sugar...you add your own and taste while blending and its delicious...i use this because i dont like stuff that is too sweet too. If youwant chocolate just add chocolate powder to it..otherwise leave it as is..is my suggestion