Step 1

First, cream the butter and Crisco in a mixing bowl. Mix on low speed for a couple of minutes until smooth and creamy. Add in the vanilla and cream cheese and mix again until very smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar until it's all combined. It will be very stiff! Then begin adding milk until you reach the desired consistency for decorating (2-3 tablespoons works well for me!)

Step 2

*I am generally satisfied using generic ingredients, but I've found that Crisco shortening has a much better texture and seems to make smoother, yummier icing than when I make it with generic...just my opinion, if anyone is interested =)

Step 3

This recipe yields about 4 1/2 cups of frosting (~4 lbs when weighed).  Yes, it's sweet.  Yes, it's a lot of powdered sugar.  But I've made this recipe more times than I can count, so I know it does work!