Buttercream Frosting

1 cup or 2 sticks of butter (replace some of the butter with shortening for a more white icing)
1 teaspoon vanilla (clear for white)
   You can add 1 teaspoon of other flavors instead of or as well!
4 cups sifted powdered sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk (I have also added whipping cream here with great results)

Cream butter and then mix in the flavoring(s).  Gradually add the sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.  Scrape the sides and bottom often.  Once all the sugar is mixed in, add the milk until light and fluffy.  This will make piping consistency.  If you want a thinner icing for covering a cake, add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time.  It takes less milk to make it runny than powdered sugar to make it thicker.