I would like to know the best recipes to use for buttercream, as I see some FABULOUSLY iced cakes on here that have used buttercream... When I have used buttercream it ends up in a huge mess.
Is it due to the type of buttercream, the "tools" used to spread it, or is it just skill and ability?

Any good recipes are greatly appreciated!

what do you call "a huge mess"? what recipe(s) are you using?

We are better able to help you fix it if we know what you're doing.

Google Sugarshack buttercream. It is my favorite and I think you'll find many others agree.

Thanks Deb! The word "buttercream" is synonymous with frosting. It gets confusing sometimes.

Indydebi and Sugarshack's recipe's are probably the two most popular. I've worked with them both with great success. Depending on your area one recipe may have ingredients that are easier to find than another

The recipe does effect the texture and look of the icing but technique is a large part of it. Sugarshack's "Perfecting the Art of Buttercream DVD" is a fantastic resource for getting beautifully smooth buttercream and nice straight edges and corners.
Her DVDs are available at
www.sugaredproductions.com