Perfect Cake Lettering Icing

Instructions

1. 1
   Sift the icing sugar and vanilla powder into a small bowl to remove any lumps. (Lumps will clog your piping bag and ruin your lettering!)
2. 2
   If you want dark brown lettering, mix in the unsweetened cocoa powder now.
3. 3
   Add the canned cream (or water) just half a teaspoon at a time. Stir vigorously. You want a thick, smooth paste that is the consistency of toothpaste—thick enough to hold a peak, but soft enough to squeeze.
4. 4
   Scoop the icing into one bottom corner of your plastic gallon bag. Twist the empty top part of the bag tightly so the icing is packed firmly into the corner and won't spill out the top.
5. 5
   Using sharp scissors, snip the absolute *tiniest* tip off the corner of the bag. You can always cut it larger if the line is too thin, but you cannot make it smaller once cut!
6. 6
   Practice piping your message on a plate first. Hold the bag near the top twist, apply gentle, steady pressure, and use your other hand to guide the tip slowly as you write.