Hi All,

This is my first post - although I have been lurking for a couple of weeks.
Tonnes of great info here. I am talking Wilton Course one and all of the tips etc have been helpful.

I am very interested in the Viva Papertowel method of smoothing buttercream. I have looked everywhere and I can't find it in our area.

Is there something special in the viva that I could look for in another brand that might work?

Thanks in advance

Alexis

Viva paper towels do not have a texture or a pattern on them like most brands do. I've heard some people talk about using the thicker blue towels used in shops and such, but I don't remember if they are completely textured free.

I use parchment paper... I allow the BC to crust and then go over it with parchment. Works like a charm. I'm also going to try to do the upside down icing technique for my next cake, hoping for some really sharp corners!

I have found that parchment paper seems to work easier for me than the Viva method. You can also use computer paper.

Hi!! And Welcome to our addiction!!!
I started using those shop towels.. The blue ones.. I found them on sale for 1.50 a roll.. Works perfect!!! and those car shammies.. those work too!! cant wait to see your cakes!

Mom_of_4, the upside down technique is in the articles section
http://www.cakecentral.com/article6-Upside-Down-Icing-Technique-for-Perfectly-Smooth-Icing.html
looks interesting, and it will be awesome if it works and is foolproof!

I would be concerned that, as shop towels are not made with food contact in mind, they may have contaminants that you wouldn't want to have leaving a residue on the food.

RP

If you have not tried this---please do. I read on CC to take a credit card and dip it in hot water and then smooth the BC.


I tried it this weekend and it was the best method I have found.

Are the shop towels safe to use on food???


This is the first I've heard of them being used to smooth icing?


You might try parchment paper if you don't like viva.....sometimes you can find papertowels with different imprints on them that actually add to the cake.

Good Luck and welcome to CC!!!

The shop towels are almost comparable to Viva. I have had to go downstairs and steal some of my husband's when I run out of Viva and don't want to go to the store.

punkinpie....where are you located? None of your grocery stores or Target have the Viva Brand paper towel? if you are close to a home depot then someone surely carries Viva!

Wow! I am really anxious to try the upside down technique! Sounds like it would work really well! My birthday is this weekend, so maybe I will make myself a cake and get some more practice in! Thanks!

This may seem sad, but sometimes if i'm looking for a little more decoration on a cake, but don't want to add more decorations, I'll walk down the paper towel isle in the grocery store, and just look at the patterns on the paper towels. you can create a lovely subtle design on your cake with patterned paper towels! some even have floral designs, which you could trace out with thinned b/c and color in the flowers! So many things have more than one use!! One tip: I have always used my fondant smoother rather than my hands to smooth out b/c on a cake. You eliminate the bumpy fingerprint effect!! just make big circular motions with the smoother with parchment or paper towel between, of course! Happy Baking! -B.

You would make Alton Brown proud (sniff... sniff!!) Nothing should be allowed in the kitchen that can't be used for more than one use!!!

Debbi

Wax Paper works great and you can get it almost anywhere.

I also am a fan of the parchment paper. For some reason, I can't see using a paper towel...mainly b/c of the possible "transfer" issue of lint to the frosting

OMG.. I emailed the company about the shop towels being used on cakes..
This is what I wrote: Name: christy Phone: I am a novice cake decorator.. I found a new trick on making a smoother cake using VIVA papertowels.. My question to you is, I found the same texture on your shop towel as VIVA paper towel have.. Can I use this on food? The tip is once the icing has crusted we lay the paper towel down on the icing and smooth it out to get a nice smooth finished cake.. There is alot of talk about "shop towels" may not be safe to use on cake icing.. Hope You can help clear the air in the "cake world".. Christy
This is the response I recieved:
Our wiping products are not intended for direct food contact. Sorry. Please let me know if I can help further. Thank you for contacting Kimberly-Clark.

Had to clear that one up.. Being I was the one who recommended it.. Sorry for misled info.. Now I know I CANNOT use the BLUE SHOP TOWELS on food!!!!!!!!!!

Briansbaker, thanks for checking that out for us. I would have tried it without even thinking about the safety of it.

Diane

I wonder what Viva would say if asked the same question....

oooooooooo ...never thought about that.. I will reply and ask..

Anyone tried transpancy type plastic sheets? 

Out of viva and it's for cookies

brainsbaker, thank you for writing the company in regards to the "shop towels".  Since they do not make it for food they have to respond that way, they do not want any repercussions.  Their comment protects them from any law suits.  I do not know if this is true, but this is what I was told from someone who asked a lawyer about the companies response.

It does work wonderfully...I should know...I created the method!  The only real change I have made in the method over the years to replace the parchment originally called for with plastic coated freezer paper (butcher's paper)....like Reynold's brand.

The plastic coating will release very smoothly and the paper won't wrinkle like parchment did.

Also, to prevent getting air bubbles on top, first spread a smear coating of icing on your board, the come back with a heavier coat and proceed.