Beer Cake Bragger and Buttercream Icing

I still have not loaded up my new recipe tutorials, so sue me. What 90's cartoon was that on? Ninja Turtles? Someone tell me its going to drive me bonkers. That's right bonkers--come to think of it that was also a 90's cartoon. My ADD leads me on weird subjects sorry, anyway...

I made this cake for my boss's birthday a while back. I hadn't yet discovered how easy and fabulous from scratch cakes are at this point, so I made it with a *gasp* box cake, I know I know shameful. However it was wicked awesome looking, I think that trumps that boxed cake faux pas. I did however make my butter cream icing from scratch, there is no other way to ice anything except with homemade icing, you hear me?!

I like this better with butter, however I used shortening because I usually never have the patience to wait for butter to soften, and I never have the foresight to take it out ahead of time. Here is my masterpiece, bow down to its semi homemade glory.

Here is the recipe for some badass buttercream.

I would put almond extract in everything if I could. I love it. 

Sometimes I put 2 tsp of Almond Extract, depends on how much you love it.

Only use Clear Vanilla Extract if you use the regular brown kind you icing will not be white, duh. 

This meringue powder container is a little dirty, I have no clue why 

and I am kind of embarrassed right now.

Pretend there is a 1lb box of powered sugar pictured right here.

Are you caught up to speed? Or did you leave when you figured out there 

is a pound of sugar and a cup of fat? Oh you stayed?! Okay great.

First you add the 1 cup of shortening, then one teaspoon of each flavoring. 

Cream these together like so. 

One time I forgot, and tasted this thinking it would taste like frosting--it doesn't, 

and I do not advise it. It tasted like almond flavored ass.

Then slowly add the powdered sugar. 

I can not stress this enough, a little at a time. 

Like 1/2 cup then mix.

There is way more than half a cup in the picture,

and I'm sure I covered my kitchen in it.

Also add about a tablespoon of water, you can add more as you go if you like.

This is about a medium thick consistency, you can thicken it 

for decoration making by adding more powdered sugar, or thin it out with some water.

Butter Cream Decorator Icing- Click here for printable recipe

1 tsp Clear Vanilla Extract

1 tsp Butter Flavor

1 tsp Almond Extract

1 lb (4 cups) Confectioners Sugar 

1 Tbsp Meringue Powder

1 cup Shortening

1 or more Tbsp Water

In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and flavorings together. 

Gradually add powdered sugar about 1/2 a cup at a time.

Beat on medium speed, make sure to scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula in between mixing. 

Add 1 Tbsp of water and work from there to desired consistency. Yields: 3 cups

Note: You can also substitute 1/2 of the shortening 

with butter, the water with milk, and omit the meringue.