Buttercream Frosting

1 cup butter (no substitutes) softened
8 cups confectioners sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk

In a mixing bowl, cream butter.  Beat in sugar and vanilla.  Add milk until frosting reaches desired consistency.

For Chocolate Frosting: 
Substitute 1/2 cup baking cocoa for 1/2 cup of the confectioner's sugar.  

Peanut Butter Frosting: 
Substitute peanut butter for butter. 

For Lemon- or Orange-Flavored Frosting: 
Substitute lemon or orange juice for milk and add 1 teaspoon grated lemon or orange peel. 

For Almond- or Peppermint-Flavored Frosting: 
Substitute almond or peppermint extract for the vanilla.

Liquid or paste food coloring may be added to match flavoring (green for mint, for example) for for contrast when decorating.