You would think from all the reviews calling for added spice, this is a bland recipe. Therefore, I AM REVIEWING THIS RECIPE FOR COOKS LIKE ME WHO LOVE CURRY BUT HAVE A WIMPY PALATE AND PREFER LESS HEAT IN THEIR DISHES. While I enjoy cuisines that feature spicy foods, I don't like any dish to have too much heat. In restaurants which offer an option about spicing, I am always a 2 or 3. Despite that handicap, I LOVED this curry. It is the first curry I've ever made and it turned out perfectly. I knew enough to cut back on the cayenne pepper (I used 1/4 tsp) and it was still too hot for me. Next time, I will omit it. And there WILL be a next time. WHIMPY EATERS--don't shy away from this recipe: just adjust your spices.

Reviewed On: Jun. 8, 2010

I have made this recipe maybe 25 times in the past year. I have made more than 25 German Chocolate cakes, most for our church dinners and a few for my family. To be honest, I started out making the cakes from scratch, but with this frosting, no one notices the cake. So now I use boxed cakes but get RAVE reviews for any cake that has this frosting on it! I make the recipe exactly as written and just have patience waiting for the frosting to thicken. I do not add any thickening agent: if you are willing to wait, it WILL thicken up and you will be rewarded with an out-of this-world flavor. I attend a church with many amazing bakers and cooks but my German chocolate cake has gone over so well, it was even mentioned in the pastor's homily. Trust me: it's not my cake, it's this icing that people remember. Carol, you have made my cakes a hit! Blessings to you!

Reviewed On: Feb. 13, 2010

I am the kind of person who sits down to a piece of bakery cake and immediately removes the frosting. Icings are often too sweet or greasy for me, so I usually don't eat them. Today, I was looking for a frosting that would hold up in my first attempt to decorate a cake. The ratings and reviews convinced me to try this, especially since so many reviewers found that it held up to decorating. I took reviewers' recommendations to cut down on the shortening and add some butter and to cut the sugar to avoid excessive sweetness. The reviews have been accurate in that this frosting went on well and made great decorations and writing. Unfortunately, it left a greasy taste in my mouth. I even used the whole 8 cups of sugar thinking that this would disguise the greasy mouth feel. No luck. The reviewers are right: this tastes just like a bakery frosting. The rating above reflects that; if bakery frosting is your thing, this recipe is great. If you don't like that sort of icing, you will not like this one.

Reviewed On: Feb. 13, 2010