I always see perfectly smooth buttercream cakes and was wondering how I get that. I have managed to get the sides smooth but the top always ends up with lines : (

Have you tried the Viva paper towel method? Look it up, I use it all the time after the butter cream has crusted. It makes a big difference...I'm still learning how to get better

There's several different ways. Do you use a crusting buttercream? If so you can use the viva paper towel method, the roller method or the hot knife method (this one will work on non crusting buttercreams as well). Another method is the upside down method (there was a thread on here just recently about it).

(this tutorial by Edna is great)

Hope that helps.

It takes some practice (and patience) to figure out what works best for you.

I was a firm believer in the Viva method...but recently....started using a sheetrock trowel, place in hot water, dry, then smooth. You can also use a bench scraper....way easier than the viva in my opinion but both work great!

I am using a crusting buttercream but I have not tried those methods yet. Thank you so much! I can't wait to try it : )

I just tried the Melvira method the other day. It was so much faster than the paper towel method. All I had to do was roll over the icing with the paint roller. It was one of my smoothest cakes. I'm very excited about it!