Great American Cookie Icing

…the BEST icing with just the right amount of sweetness

This icing is my personal take on a Great American cookies classic!

Equipment

• Mixing bowl

• Measuring cups

• Piping bags & tips

For the icing

• 1 cup shortening

• 1 tbsp vanilla

• 1/2 tsp salt (I use a hair shy of 1/2 tsp)

• 2 1/2 cups - 3 cups powdered sugar

• 1/2 tbsp meringue powder

• 1 to 5 tablespoons of water

How to create the perfect icing

• Whip 1 cup of shortening until it gets fluffy (about 3 minutes).

• Next add in your vanilla and salt. I like to add in my vanilla and salt directly to the shortening so it can properly get mixed in and meld together.

• Let that whip again for another minute.

• Add in your powder sugar one cup at a time. Depending on your taste, you might want to continue adding more powdered sugar for a sweeter taste, or like me keep it a little less on the sweet side.

• Lastly add in your meringue powder and whip for 3 minutes.

• Your icing will become stiff and almost crunchy to the touch this is due to the meringue powder activating. If you find it is too think and stiff, add a tablespoon of water to thin out. I’ve made the mistake of having too thick icing and it won’t pipe out properly.
  
  ***Most important thing is to constantly taste your icing as you’re making it. Please note that the meringue powder adds a little extra sweetness to the icing.***
  
  If you still feel like your icing tastes too shortening like, add more vanilla or almond extract to mask the Crisco/shortening flavor.