hello, I need help on perfecting my buttercream icing? I was doing good but recently it hasn't been the same. I need help!!!!!

Icing has bad days for some reason. lol!........Here is the best recipe I've found & smooths down to perfection with Viva paper towels.

1 1/2 cups shortening
5 tbls. heavy whipping cream
4 tbls. half & half
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla flavor
1 tsp. butter flavor
1 (2 LB.) bag powdered sugar

Beat your shortening until creamy. Mix the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl & then pour into shortening. (THROW A TOWEL OVER YOUR MIXER & START OUT AT LOW SPEED THEN GRADUALLY INCREASE SPEED UNTIL MIXTURE IS CREAMY) Add entire bag of powdered sugar, again put a towel over mixture & start mixing slow then increase speed until it's thoroughly mixed.......If you do not have a stand mixer, just add each ingredient a little at a time instead of all at once.

I use wilton's BC recipe. I have heard Indydebi's BC recipe is amazing but haven't tried it yet as I don't have access to Crisco. Just regular vegetable shortening and not sure if they are the same.

Do a recipe search for most saved recipes and you will find Indydebi's buttercream recipe high up on the list. Apparently it's that good! The reviews sell themselves. Have fun!

For some reason, Wilton's recipe doesn't do well with off brand shortening & butter. I have tried Indydebi's BC recipe & didn't like it as well as I do the one I gave you. That recipe also does well with off brand shortening. You don't have to use Criso, most of the time I use an off brand all vegetable shortening. For an off brand, decrease the amount of half & half to 3 tbls. I don't know why but with the off brands, the batch turns out better if I cut back on it. Good luck!

Heat and humidity cause lots of problems. That probably is why your having trouble.
Also check out SugarShack's (aka: Sharon Zambito) 'The art of b'cream' (or is it - "Perfecting Buttercream Icing"?) video on YouTube. Lots of helpful tips and the recipe for anyone needing help.

Try Indydebi's recipe:
http://cakecentral.com/recipes/6992/indydebis-crisco-based-buttercream-icing

It tastes great and does really well in the heat & humidity. Check out this forum from other people about her icing:

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-628765.html

I've had cupcakes sitting outside for hours in the heat and they held their shape beautifully! Everyone loved the flavor. HTH