I am new to cake decorating and we use the wilton recipe of course in class but I don't like the taste of it at all. I was wondering if I could use a different recipe. I also have an order for carrot cake with maple butercream icing. Can I decorate this cake with this icing or no. I am kinda of confused. I hope I don't only have to stick with buttercream to decorate with.

Hi, there are many changes you make to the pwd sugar frosting recipe. Some people use all crisco frosting to make roses and such. They use a different recipe to cover the cake.

Be sure crisco is whipped till fluffy. It helps incorporate the pwd sugar better.
You can use 1/2 butter instead of all crisco for added flavor and a lighter texture.
You can add a few tbls of whole milk or heavy cream to reduce the sweet taste and improve the texture.
Use less vanilla and add other extracts to reduce the sweet taste.
Add a little lemon juice or reduce the sweet taste.
Dissolve salt in a tiny amount of hot water, then add to the mixture.

hth

Flavoring the icing with vanilla, almond and butter extracts makes a not-too-sweet icing. I use this combination all the time and get rave reviews. If you make the 1/2 shortening and 1/2 butter, do not use the butter flavoring.
Leslie