Did mom cook it? Sounds like the frosting that is on red velvet cake. The recipe I learned for cake decorating was 1/2 cp crisco. 1/3 cp water 1 tsp vanilla & 2 lbs powered sugar. I think this is right. Don't try yet till I get back to you. I'm going by memory & it may be more crisco. I got to go to Lowe's right now & I will check back & see where recipe is. & let you know.