Hi Everyone! I have attempted my first character cake and it was a success!! Thank you to all that helped 
My question now is, I have homemade buttercream icing left over and I have 3 more cakes to make. I was going to buy the 5lb. tub of Wilton Cake Icing just because I'm lazy and I have so many to ice. However, I have a lot of leftover icing from the last one. Has anyone out there ever combined homemade icing and Wilton icing? Can this be done? And if so how different is the taste between the two? Any other comments are welcomed regarding the icing as well. Thank you sooo much. I'm looking for all the help I can get. Cheers
I've combined store bought Icing tubs from my supplier with homemade. I just threw it all in the Kitchen Aid and whipped it up together.
I don't use a recipe, I just make what I like from scratch, not even paying atention sometimes to meaurements.
If you make your own, not from Wiltons recipe, I think you'll be very happy. you'll taste the difference right away.
Please, no flames!
I bought a bucket of Wilton icing a few months ago when I had a Michael's coupon and was in a hurry. I think it tasted AWFUL ! If most people would rate all Crisco icing as a 3 on a 1-10 scale, this stuff is a -10 ! It was greasy & chemical tasting. I tried to make it taste better by adding extracts--No good. I then tried to combine it with some homemade buttercream (all butter) and I could still taste it through the mix. 
I know it's time consuming and messy, but in your shoes, I just bite the bullet, pull out the mixer, and have at it. I make plenty of icing for the projects at hand and some to put in the freezer for emergencies.
I have purchased pre-made icing from a local cake decorating store. I think CK products made it and it was excellent, but a bit expensive compared to homemade. The texture was better and had no chemical taste.
Good luck!
Rae
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