buttercream won't crust so I can smooth with papertowel...is there anything I can do to make it crust so I can finish the cake? TIA

Most likely you have to much liquid or shortening, not enough 10x sugar in the receipt. The more sugar in the mix , the more crusting. The more crisco or liquid in the buttercream, the softer and it takes longer to crust. Sometimes if you let it set for a little longer and keep using fresh viva towels , it will set up. I hope this helps, Good luck.

What buttercream are you making? Not all buttercreams crust. If you've made IMBC, SMBC, FBC, or GBC, none of those crust. If you've made ABC and it's not crusting, then the fat to sugar ratio is off and it needs more powdered sugar.

it's been sitting for over 2 hours...the recipe I used is 2 sticks butter, 1 cup crisco, 3 tsp flavor, 2 lbs PS and 4-6 tsp of milk

Needs more powdered sugar.

well it's already on the cake...I really don't have time to scrap it all off

I usually use a similar recipe and it crusts just fine. I would agree though, probably just add more sugar or cut back on the milk next time!

thanks everyone for coming to my rescue...I bit the bullet and scrapped it off the cake...thanks goodness for crumb coating...I appreciate all the help!