Hostess Twinkie Creme Filling

Hostess® Twinkie Creme Filling
Recently I've had an opportunity to go back and improve
the recipe for the Hostess Twinkie clone found on page
47 of the first book, "Top Secret Recipes." Specifically,
I wanted to make the creme filling more stable, using
non-dairy ingredients, so that it could not spoil and would
be easier to make. Here now, is the much improved recipe,
using fewer ingredients than the original clone, and with
marshmallow creme as the new secret component. This recipe
is for all of you who have supported the site by buying the
books, since the cake part of the recipe and mold-making
technique is not included here. But even if you don't have
the books, I'm sure you can find many uses for this versatile,
commercial-style, creme filling. Hope you like it!

2 teaspoons very hot water
rounded 1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups marshmallow creme (1 7-ounce jar)
1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1. Combine the salt with the hot water in a small bowl and stir
until salt is dissolved. Let this mixture cool.
2. Combine the marshmallow creme, shortening, powdered sugar,
and vanilla in a medium bowl and mix well with an electric mixer
on high speed until fluffy.
3. Add the salt solution to the filling mixture and combine.
Makes 1 1/2 cups.