I am currently using the Wilton buttercream icing for making my roses. In our course book the recipe is:
1 cup shortening
4 cups icing sugar
1 teaspoon clear vanilla
1-2 tablespoons water

I have seen several variations of this recipe. I need one that can be used for roses(stiff). But that is not as sweet. I have had some complaints about it being too sweet. I have heard of using butter or adding salt. Do you guys have any suggestions or any recipes that aren't as sweet.

Thank you
Lindsay

Sorry I forgot that we also add meringue powder.

Try adding a little salt. I dilute salt in a little water and then add that to my buttercream, a little at a time.

HTH

Add 1/2 tsp of salt to the recipe (if your making a full batch). Also add 1 tbspn of flour to the recipe. I also use the Wilton recipe for buttercream and add these 2 items to the recipe no matter if I'm doing the full shortening recipe or the butter/shortening version. Cuts the sweetness a bit. Doesn't change the consistancy either.