For those of you who have a "go to" favorite buttercream or have tried them ALL, I would like to know what your favorite buttercream recipe is. Especially if it makes a big batch or is easily doubled into a big batch.

My favorite bcf is White Chocolate Buttercream. Equal parts butter and shortening. (I use a pound each) 6-7+ lbs. powdered sugar; 1/4 vanilla; 1.5 tsp. salt dissolved in 1/3 - 2/3 C warm water and 4.5 oz of very good white chocolate (not candy melts), melted and cooled. Cream butter and shortening together till no lumps exist. Add vanilla. Add powdered sugar and salted water. Add White chocolate. You can add more ps or water depending on how soft you want it. The salt takes away some of that nasty powdered sugar taste and the white chocolate imparts a very mild but distinct chocolat flavor.
Enjoy!
P.S. I cover my KA with a damp tea towel, tucked behind the plastic guard, being careful not to cover the vents for the motor as this keeps any powder from flying around the kitchen.

P.S.S. This makes quite a bit, enough to crumb coat and ice a two layer 12" round and a 10" round. I should actually measure just how much it makes next time. )

Thanks. That does sound good. I know buttercream should be sweet. I can do sweet if it weren't for that powdered sugar aftertaste.

My favorites are Buttercream Dream (the recipe is on here) and SMBC from The Well Dressed Cake (the recipe is also on here). If you can't find them, let me know and I'll send the links to you!

I use Buttercream Dream too. I have read so many people here that don't use it because of the shortening but I honestly don't taste the shortening at all - I do when it is first made but after it sits for an hour or two, I don't taste it. I use all salted butter - maybe that makes a difference.

I have to put my plug in for Indydebi's buttercream. It's so easy to make, it tastes absolutely delicious, and I have never had ANYBODY say it has any kind of aftertaste or that they don't like it (and of course, I could just eat the stuff straight out of a bowl with a spoon!!)

And I make it with generic shortening (preferably WalMart) and any kind of powdered sugar, and I throw all kinds of different flavorings and chocolate (white or dark) and other stuff in it, and I have never had a problem. Love it!!!

IndyDebi's icing is really good as well. And it's holds up really well to the heat. So I second that as well!

I hate to say this, but for piping, the best one I've come across is Wilton's buttercream recipe. It's the only one that holds its shape well enough to do well-defined flowers and edges, and actually the taste is fairly inoffensive for an all-shortening recipe. I've never tried Indydebi's recipe because I can't get Dream Whip where I live, but I'd like to be able to some time, since I've heard such good things about it and I'm a real fan of hers. For taste and "smoothability" my go-to recipe is the "Crusting Buttercream (VIVA method)" recipe found in the recipe section here on Cake Central. As for meringue buttercreams (IMBC and SMBC, for example), no matter how good everone says they are, I flat-out refuse to make anything where I have to beat egg whites over hot water or heat sugar to a certain temperature in order to use it - this is a prejudice I hope to overcome with time, but I haven't yet .

I edited this post because I left a bunch of things out the first time around.

I know in my heart of hearts you're right cylstrial, so I promise I will when I get a chance (although that might not happen until sometime in 2014 at the rate my schedule is running lately ). Thanks for the encouragement!

I found 2 on CC that when I first started I figured I try then move on. WELL...they turned out to be excellent and I haven't tried any others!

Gabes Satin Vanilla bean Buttercream Frosting & My Chocolate Buttercream

Enjoy!

i actually really like martha stewarts SMBC its delicious and super easy to make. don't worry about the egg whites! It's the yolk that people need to worry about when raw, the whites are just fine.

How strange is this!
Ijust PM indydebi to ask her about her BC receipe. I too am looking for a great tasting and good crusting BC.
The gabe satin vanilla one sounds awesome, but I can't find the receipe, do you have the link?
Good luck with your search.

Oh, yeah! I hardly ever think about chocolate when I think about buttercream, but the "My Chocolate Buttercream recipe" on here is the BEST chocolate icing I've ever had and the only one I use when I need a chocolate-covered cake.

Sugarshack's recipe all the way!! It's easy, tasty and holds up VERY well!