Buttercream Icing

1 cup butter, softened
1 package (250g) cream cheese, softened
4½ cups icing sugar
1½ tsp vanilla

In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth. Add icing sugar, being careful to mix by hand first before turning on the mixer. On low speed, beat the icing until fluffy. (At this point you can leave plain, or add desired food colouring).