Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Buttercream
Decorating By Jackie Updated 26 May 2016 , 8:00pm by gfbaby
I believe that the Viva paper towel method should be mentioned in your article. I also like to use patterned paper towels for a different effect on buttercream.
Hello, I was just wondering, I have my bc stored in a container that used to be filled w/ wilton icing. HOw long does bc store in a sealed container just at room temperature?
I use hi ratio shortening, tried cutting it with butter, it is greasy tasting and overly sweet.
It always reminds me of that greasy over sweet stuff from the grocery. Hate it.
And grainy. Even when I shift the powdered sugar.
I've tried Sugarshack's recipe and love the way it crusts, but to me it still leaves that film of grease in the mouth.
So ideas and recipes would be greatly appreciated.
Oh yeah, and I have a but of tools for mudding drywall that I use to smooth and perfect corners, and they are just used for baking.
hi.has anyone ever tryed using heavy whipping in there buttercream icing.i use about 1/4 cup to my butter and crisco mix then add my powdered sugar.this cuts down on the sweet taste and it forms a good crumb coat .
I use half & half, definitely cuts the sweet taste and makes the best chocolate buttercream!
I would recommend everyone try it at least once!
Hi Lisa,
I think by using a scrapper to smooth the sides of a cake, you can get a smooth or ridged scrapper at Wilton. All u need to do is place the scrapper at an angle of ur cake side and roll the cake on a turn table to get ur even sides.
And if its realy hard to get smooth sides then we could jus use a wid tooth comb and repeat the same process above.
buttercream cracking: if buttercream is over beaten or underbeaten it cud cause the buttercream to crack and curdle the butter.
we should also include buttercream cheats, whereby we could use hardened whipping cream or white chocolate to get a faux buttercream consistency which is lower in calories and fat. 
I always find myself with timing questions when it comes to icing:
Once it is made, how long can you keep icing before you have to throw it away? (both shortening and butter versions)
Do you have to refrigerate the cake when the icing is made with butter?
Thanks!
First thin coat of icing on your cakes then freeze. Then remove from the freezer and put a desired final coat of icing on your cakes, smooth the best you can.Take a damp brawny and fold it till it fits in your hand. Using your turn table spin your cake while using the damp brawny lightly against your cake, it will smooth out any uneven look. You can also lay a damp brawny on top of your cake and with your hand lightly smooth out any trouble spots.Brawny is lint free so no fears of a fuzzy cake.LOL
I think it would be helpful to have tips on how to get buttercream really smooth, not just smoothing on the cake but the frosting itself. You know, like no air bubbles in the frosting.
I use half & Half to thin my buttercream. sorry I don't measure so i cant say how much. But my trick to getting super smooth icing is to put a small amount in when you cream your butter & margarine (or shortening)- same time as adding you flavoring- before you start adding powdered sugar. This gives you a wetter base to start with. I add sugar a little bit at a time and about halfway through I add a little more half n half. after all the sugar s added i add more half n half until i get the right consistency and then whip on 5 on my kitchenaid for only about 30 seconds.
I like this super smooth BC for icing cakes- I prefer a slightly stiffer BC for decorating- I use milk to thin & do not add it until the end.
I am new to cake decorating. After searching the net for tips and ideas I came across the Viva Method. I've done this on 2 cakes. I love how it works but I've come across a problem with it. After the cake has sat over night the icing has cracked. I used the Wiltons Buttercream recipe. Am I making the buttercream too stiff? Am I adding too much of something? This is really bothering me and I'd appreciate any tips on how to keep the icing from cracking after doing the Viva Method!! TIA!!
I sift my powder sugar, makes it finer and no bubbles....
I am new to cake decorating. After searching the net for tips and ideas I came across the Viva Method. I've done this on 2 cakes. I love how it works but I've come across a problem with it. After the cake has sat over night the icing has cracked. I used the Wiltons Buttercream recipe. Am I making the buttercream too stiff? Am I adding too much of something? This is really bothering me and I'd appreciate any tips on how to keep the icing from cracking after doing the Viva Method!! TIA!!
Hi, I noticed you asked a question on how to keep the cracks from forming in your buttercream. One thing you can do is make sure your cake board is super stiff. If it flexes at all, and your icing is super crusty, crack!
Also, too much powdered sugar to crisco ration can cause it as well. You can try adding just a bit more crisco, like a couple tablespoons.
But if you are serious about "caking", then I recommend a good icing shortening, such as Alpine, rather than Crisco. I actually like to mix the two of them together. The Alpine can sometimes be a bit too soft, and the crisco helps a little crust form, just enough to smooth with a paper towel. The Alpine is EXPENSIVE though.
Hope this helps!
Hi Lisa,
I think by using a scrapper to smooth the sides of a cake, you can get a smooth or ridged scrapper at Wilton. All u need to do is place the scrapper at an angle of ur cake side and roll the cake on a turn table to get ur even sides.
And if its realy hard to get smooth sides then we could jus use a wid tooth comb and repeat the same process above.
buttercream cracking: if buttercream is over beaten or underbeaten it cud cause the buttercream to crack and curdle the butter.
we should also include buttercream cheats, whereby we could use hardened whipping cream or white chocolate to get a faux buttercream consistency which is lower in calories and fat.
Hi Saradha
Would you share your recipes that are lower in calories and fat. I am a weight watchers lifetime member and love my cake. I still eat it in moderation, but would love to have some options that were even a little lower in calories and fat.
Carrie
How long can you keep buttercream if it is made with water and crisco? Does it need to be refrigerated or can it stay out?
I have alittle girl with food intolerances and i make my buttercream with pure icing sugar, butter and milk, depending if i want it to crust or not decides on how much butter i use. i flavour it with cocoa, or natural vanilla. i use this on all my cakes requiring buttercream and every one loves it and its all additive free.
a great subject so many different recipes and so many great flavours.
Jackie
How can I access this article
I'll will love it
Thanks
Just a quick question I usually use Ganache under my Fondant and was wanting to try buttercream - do you believe that is more stable if I refrigerate prior to applying the fondant or room temperature.
Thank you
Sorry I ment to added that I love all the cream / filling recipes on here and obviously they work beautifully and was just thinking of how they go under fondant and I always use ganache.
Thank you
Hi Jackie
Please, can you tell me how can I find this article that you posted.
I can't find it at articles.
thanks
CallMeCupCake, I noticed you haven't received an answer which I'd like to know as well. I love using fondant and do use BC underneath. Being new to decorating it's a hit or miss because I find that if I put 1/4" or more of icing on the cake, I end up pushing the buttercream around underneath when I smooth the fondant. I tried scant, a little more than crumb coat amount, of BC which does work better but who wants straight cake with fondant only...lacks the BC yumminess. So I'm at an inbetween stage still looking for that perfect combination.
On a related note, I have many cake decorating books from wonderful decorators "down under" and they all use ganache. I'm going to give it a try the next time. Have you found any issues with that method?
I never saw an answer in all of these pages about what to use for high humidity/heat if you don't want the sickeningly sweet, disguisting taste of the Crisco recipes. One poster asked about the mixing of the Italian/French buttercream with the American but she never got a response. Would this work?
I am making a wedding cake in April on the southern east coast. My last one was a disaster as the clients didn't want the horrid Crisco one (don't blame them), and wanted an Italian buttercream. Sadly, after about 1/2 hr in the heat the decorations melted. I really don't want to repeat this fiasco.
It will be a 2-3 tier cake with white/offwhite buttercream of some sort. Not sure if buttercream or bettercream from Sam's would be better. Advice?
I never saw an answer in all of these pages about what to use for high humidity/heat if you don't want the sickeningly sweet, disguisting taste of the Crisco recipes. One poster asked about the mixing of the Italian/French buttercream with the American but she never got a response. Would this work?
I am making a wedding cake in April on the southern east coast. My last one was a disaster as the clients didn't want the horrid Crisco one (don't blame them), and wanted an Italian buttercream. Sadly, after about 1/2 hr in the heat the decorations melted. I really don't want to repeat this fiasco.
It will be a 2-3 tier cake with white/offwhite buttercream of some sort. Not sure if buttercream or bettercream from Sam's would be better. Advice?
Anyone?
I never saw an answer in all of these pages about what to use for high humidity/heat if you don't want the sickeningly sweet, disguisting taste of the Crisco recipes. One poster asked about the mixing of the Italian/French buttercream with the American but she never got a response. Would this work?
I am making a wedding cake in April on the southern east coast. My last one was a disaster as the clients didn't want the horrid Crisco one (don't blame them), and wanted an Italian buttercream. Sadly, after about 1/2 hr in the heat the decorations melted. I really don't want to repeat this fiasco.
It will be a 2-3 tier cake with white/offwhite buttercream of some sort. Not sure if buttercream or bettercream from Sam's would be better. Advice?
Anyone?
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%