Thanks to everyone who answered my question. It's going to be so hard gto choose! This is all so helpful!

here's my recipe for butter cream frosting 1 1/4 c shortening ',1/3 plus 4 tsp water ,1 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract ,5 c confectioners sugar ,1 tbs plus 3/4 tsp meringue powder in a mixer or with hand held mixer combine shortening water & vanilla (blend) in a seperate bowl blen meringue and sugar then add to shortening mixture hope this helps

Not to compete with these experts recipes, but I make a simpler butter cream that I find delightful. All I do, is cream 2 sticks of butter with an electric mixer and add powder sugar by the quarter cup until I reach a desired consistency/sweetness (about a box total). I also add a bit of milk to make it lighter. To flavor, I add a drop of vanilla extract. To make a chocolate version I add a few tablespoons of cocoa- unsweetened is fine because of all the sugar. This version is super easy and fast and delish.

And Cake Love guy, Warren Brown, has a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxWmiHRTMz8
I found very helpful the first go around with this WONDERFUL frosting.

Here's a recipe from Merrill at food52: http://bit.ly/fbin7f