I've never made a smash cake and I'm going to make one for Saturday. What type of buttercream is usually used for these cakes? I do not want to make shortening buttercream because it is way too greasy and we won't be able to give my son a full bath at the photo studio. This is obviously just for show, I doubt he's going to eat much cake.

What do you suggest?

use any ol' BC recipe you like and your son will eat.

but then, will he really be eating it at the photo studio? or is just for show? If for show could make it out of Royal Icing even.

Personally, I'd save the smashing of the cake for home and friends and family.

I have a few photographer friends that I do smash cakes for when they have "smash cake" sessions...I use just a half butter/ half shortening buttercream recipe and keep the colors light...I usually do just a white base and use pastel color accents and trim. HTH!

Funny story...about six years ago I did a first birthday for my best friend's little boy. The smash cake was that wilton stand up bear. I used a crusting buttercream and covered that thing in tiny "fur". The baby would NOT touch the thing! It was way too pokey. He would try to touch it with one little finger and then pull it away. It was their first baby and they were so disappointed!

I'd use the 50/50 butter/shortening recipe... and just like someone else said use LIGHT colors. My sons 1st b-day he had an Elmo cake. Elmo = red = HUGE mess. Live and learn! I've seen some great studio pictures with a smash cake. Have fun!