Penuche Nut Icing
["1 c. brown sugar, firmly packed", "1/4 c. milk", "1/4 c. vegetable shortening", "1/4 tsp. salt", "1/2 tsp. vanilla", "1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)"]
["Place first", "4 ingredients in saucepan. Bring slowly to rolling boil while stirring. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat. Beat until lukewarm. Add vanilla. Beat until thick enough to spread. Add nuts. This is a very good frosting for a spice cake or banana cake."]
["brown sugar", "milk", "vegetable shortening", "salt", "vanilla", "nuts"]