A great icing that we used in Wilton Cake Decorating Class. Would produce amazing results everytime. Thinning is done easily by adding water. This recipe makes stiff consistency. To make medium add one tablespoon milk or water. To make thin icing (perfect consistency for decorating a cake with the basic coating) Add two tablespoons of milk or water. If you want pure white icing, which is the perfect base to tint, use the white crisco shortening and any clear vanilla extract (wilton makes a great one). Using any others will give a faint creamy color that may affect the shade you try and tint with. Using water will give you a stable product that needs no refridgeration and the icing will keep indefinately in the fridge if you keep it in a covered container. If it dries out in the fridge you can always just add a bit of water to bring it back to the consistency you need. If you over thin at any time, just add more icing sugar to thicken. Very versatile product!