This is the one my mother always made. light as a feather, but not too sweet.

WHITE SAUCE CAKE FROSTING
1 c. milk, divided
3 tbsp. flour
1 c. Crisco
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Make a white sauce with 1/4 cup milk and flour. Gradually add to 3/4 cup milk in a saucepan. Over medium heat, cook until thick, stirring constantly. Set aside until completely cold.

Beat Crisco and sugar until very fluffy. Add cold white sauce to sugar mixture. Add vanilla; beat until very fluffy.

Frost cake, making frosting stand up in peaks all over cake by tapping spatula all over cake.

Thank you most kindly, monica_pa! Will try it the next time I make a cake and let you know that it is most likely very good.

My mother used to make that frosting with Crisco. It sounds greasy but I can vouch for it-it's very light, not sweet and not heavy.

Monica's recipe is very good. I have been making it almost the same way for about 50 years...the difference is that my recipe calls for 1/2 cup of crisco and a 1/2 cup of butter or margerine. Everything else the same. I use this recipe to frost red velvet cake. Much better than the cream cheese type.

Another good light whipped frosting follows. It is quite soft and creamy. I use it on sheet cakes or a 9 x 13. It is too soft at room temperature to stay put..say on a layer cake while frosting. It has always been our family favorite. When using this frosting, I store the cake in the refrigerator, although it isn't necessary.

Mock Whipped Cream Frosting
1/2 cup margerine
1/2 cup crisco
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup scalded whole milk
Cream margerine, crisco, sugar and vanilla together well.
Gradually add hot milk to creamed mixture. Beat at high speed for 5 to 7 minutes. If it seems too soft to spread or hold shape, allow to cool slightly. It will thicken as it cools. If I'm in a hurry, I stick it in the fridge for 10 minutes or so.

You can search google for this recipe as you will find it on many sites. It's an old fashioned fluffy whipped frosting that is wonderful. Not too sweet but melt in your mouth good. It is particularly good on cakes like Italian cream or coconut etc. Oh and yummy on chocolate. I love it and it's so easy to make.
Use this frosting for just about any cake. This recipe will make enough to frost 2 layers.

7 minute Frosting
Ingredients:

* 2 egg whites
* 1 1/2 cups sugar
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 1/3 cup water
* 2 teaspoons light corn syrup
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients except vanilla in the top of a double boiler over boiling water. Beat with electric mixer for about 7 minutes, or until mixture will stand in stiff peaks. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Similar to the first recipe but tastier and healthier, of course:

Frosting

1 cup milk
4 tablespoons flour
1 cup (2 sticks) REAL butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla or other flavoring (almond is good)

Whisk together milk and flour in saucepan until completely smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened and mixture just begins to boil. Place a piece of waxed paper on surface of milk to prevent the formation of a protein skin, let cool to room temperature. Whip milk mixture and butter until fluffy and well-combined. Gradually (2-3 tablespoons at a time) beat in the sugar. Beat until no longer gritty. Blend in flavoring. Frost cake, refrigerate.

I just finished making some icing. My family loves this and I have been making it for over 60 years.

1 cup granulated sugar.
About 1/2 cup cold water ( doesn't matter, as it will boil down)
About 1 teaspoon white vinegar.

Boil these 3 until very long hairs form when you dip in a spoon and hold it up.

In the meantime, beat 2 cold egg whites until stiff. Be sure there is no yolk, or it won't work.

Slowly add the boiled syrup while beating the egg whites. Beat until it forms very good stiff peaks.

Add a little vanilla or other flavoring and a tiny bit of salt. It is really delicious and will frost a large cake.

Don't cover the cake after you have iced it.

I've wanted to try it with yellow sugar but haven't done it after all these years - maybe someday.

Let us know what you try.