Ok, so I have only made buttercream once, and it was the one from Wilton course 1.

It did not crest at all...too soft. I have been researching and see that a lot of the buttercream recipes are made with butter and not the meringe powder.

I need to ice a cake in a few days so one I need the best crusting recipe.
I have a lot of questions about this. Once I decorate the cake can i refrigerate for a few days before party, or leave out.
Anything will help, thanks in advace.

The Buttercream Dream recipe on this site is decent. Some people like IndyDebi's buttercream recipe and it crusts well.

Yes you can leave it out. I rarely refrigerate my cakes unless they have a perishable filling.

Annie

I love Indydebi's bc. It crusts beautifully, and I never refrigerate it. Here's a link to the recipe:

http://cakecentral.com/recipe/indydebis-crisco-based-buttercream-icing

I have a 5.5 qt. Cuisinart mixer, and I always double the recipe to fill my mixer.