From the kitchen of Ann Marie Barkwell.  This is from
my 1974 Betty Crocker Cookbook.  Basic white cake
frosting & a few variations.
In a mixer, beat:
5 Tbsp butter or margarine, softened
3 c confectioner sugar
Add:
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 - 2 Tbsp milk
Add milk slowly until it's smooth & spreading
consistency.

Fills & frosts 2 9" layers or a 13x9 cake.

VARIATIONS
  • Browned Butter Frosting: same as above,
    except heat butter in saucepan over medium
    heat until a delicate brown.
  • Cherry Butter Frosting:  add 2 Tbsp drained
    chopped maraschino cherries & 2 drops red
    food coloring
  • Orange Butter Frosting:  omit vanilla, sub
    orange juice for the milk, add 2 tsp grated
    orange peel.
  • Lemon Butter Frosting: omit vanilla, sub lemon
    juice for the milk, add 1/2 tsp grated lemon peel.
  • Peanut Butter Frosting: sub peanut butter for
    the butter, increase milk to 1/4 to 1/3 cup.
Original Butter Frosting on Banana Cake, with pecans.
"It was impossible to get a
conversation going; everybody was
talking too much."