I always use buttercream, so crusting is never an issue for me. However, my niece wants a cake with that airy whipped icing. Does anyone have a recipe for that that will crust well enough to use the Viva method on it? Thanks!

Crusting and Whipped seem to be mutually exclusive terms.

The whipped icing used by most big box stores is Rich's Bettercreme (or Frostin'/Pastry Pride) which does develop a "skin" after sitting, but I've never heard of any members using the Viva method to smooth. (Usually it's a hot spatula to freshly applied product.)

Here's a faux Rich's Bettercreme recipe thread but I have no idea if the frosting crusts:
(My guess would be no, since Bettercreme doesn't....)

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-597074-.html

HTH

I was wondering that exact same thing. Thank you for posting...and thank you for sharing!!

I dont think the Viva method would work with that either. I would say dip your untensils in warm water first.