I always use pure vanilla extract as it tastes much better. I want my icing though to remain white, how do I go about doing so when I want to use pure vanilla extract?

i make my own homemade organic vanilla and it is DARK brown. But, i don't think it makes a huge difference in the color of my icing. If anything, the fact that I use all butter, no shortening alters the color.

If it really really bothers you, find a pure extract that is clear. It will be more expensive because it has been filter to get rid of the impurities that make it dark. Or, you can get while food coloring. Wilton sells it. Not sure if anyone else does, though.

If you use a tiny bit of violet food colouring in your icing it will be more white

Use a really tiny bit of violet otherwise you wind up with a soft lavender. BTDT

I never use vanilla extract for my butter cream since it has alcohol which I cant eat
I always use the powder vanilla in big quantities like 3 tablespoons or so per batch, & everyone loves the taste