Buttercream Icing
This butter-based recipe is adapted from "Ateco Simplified Cake Decorating."

1/4 cup butter
Pinch of salt (if needed)
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk or light cream
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Whip the butter until fluffy. Gradually add in 1 cup of the powdered sugar and reduce speed to low, add in the liquid, salt and flavoring. Last the rest of the powdered sugar. If firmer icing is needed, add in a bit more powdered sugar, if softer icing is needed, add in a bit more of the milk. Flavor as desired.