Okay... I've been decorating off and on for 25 years. Only recently have I been able to get my frosting really smooth.

Am I the only one that takes half an hour to get it just right, or am I just that slow??? The reason I ask... I've watched several videos recently, and they go over and over and over, but they speed the show up quite a bit while they're perfecting their smoothness.

See? Told you it's a silly question! I just want to know if I'm missing some vital step, or if it really does take that long to get a really flawlessly smooth cake?

I think smoothing a cake is the biggest PITA imaginable. I've tried method after method, changed recipes, crumb coated, hot knifed, paint scrapered - you name it. Some times it works like a dream, and then the very same technique on the very next cake will end up looking like junk. I spend more time on smoothing than I do on anything else and it worries me to death because I want it perfect.

You're not alone. I feel like I need a smoothers support group.

Yes, it takes me FOREVER, but I noticed the biggest difference when I started sifting my PS and using Sugarshack's method for making icing...

I also think this is the hardest part. I have a frosting that everyone loves but it doesn't smooth well. The ones that smooths like glass, doesn't taste as good. So do we want the cake to look perfect and taste eh or look eh and taste perfect?

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah......figure out a way to make it do both. Look and taste perfect! *sigh*

hello, my mane is lisa, i am a smooth cake addict...

but i cant always get it smooth as i would like. or if its smoth then i acidentally made the icing layer too thin and the cake shows through... then what, keep it smooth or add more icing so the cake doesnt show. and now that its getting warm outside...dont get me started!!!
ugh!
i want my old shortning back with the tranz fat...

I am extremely slow with leveling and smoothing. I really have to take my time. It has been my hope that I would increase my speed as time goes on.

Your not alone. I've been making cakes for over 10 years and buttercream still gives me fits. I'm to the point of going straight FONDANT LOl but my customers want go for it.

I'm my own worse critic so if it's not perfect to me then I think it's just ruined and I'll gripe and complain until it leaves the shop.

Have you tried sugarshack's method? It's amazing! It used to take me forever too! Her method SEEMS like it would take even longer, but the first time I did it, it took about 20 min.

I agree! Get sugarshack's Perfecting the Art of Buttercream DVD. I can get my cakes so smooth by using her techniques! Good Luck!

What are some of the things she does? I did just try a little trick from her u tube video on making bc. I use my bc recipe but make it like her, i now warm my liquid and add things in the order she does, that seems to make a big difference. But im currious as to what else she does or wht other people do to make it smooth. I do the viva towel thing and have tried the foam roller too. Any other help beyond that?

there's too much on that video to be able to sit here and type it out and even if we did you would have to see it to understand. Sugarshack's technique is not one I've ever seen before.

I am slow too! Even after all those cakes! LOL

my technique IS a little wonky, LOL

but i start with really smooth BC
use a hot bench scraper for sides
measure the sides and make them level
use vivia
paper
smoother

works great!