I made strawberry buttercream icing yesterday. I used 3 butter:1 hi-ratio. The problem was I could not make my icing's smooth. I use CK brand. Is there any suggestion??? Please help. Thank you.

was everything at room temp first? Did it get mixed together really well?
Sorry, that's the only thing I can think of. I use Sweetex so I'm not familiar with the CK product. I imagine it should be the same as workability though.

Yes, everything was at room temp and I mixed it with the butter pretty well before I added the sugar. My hi-ratio has some kind of porous texture from the beginning and I could not make it smooth. By the way mine has already been open for almost a year, it didn't have the expiration date on it so I assumed it will last for quite a while. I never put my hi-ratio in the fridge, should I?

Has it always had that texture or is it something that just occurred? If you were getting smooth BC before it could be that the hiratio is bad.

I think it may be the higher ratio of butter to shortening. Maybe you should try more of a half and half, or more shortening to butter, see how that works. I have found that all shortening works better at smoothing than with some butter in the frosting, however, I like the taste of the buttercream when it has some butter so I do half and half. I prob, wouldn't go more than that.

HTH

Christine

Thank you. I will try 1:1 next time.

I agree try half and half, that always works for me! Good luck and Happy Baking!