I'm fairly new to CC and decorating,but I'm so addicted to this website. This is a wealth of knowledge for me. Are there any other options for both a sugar-type frosting and a whipped frosting that can be used as an alternative to buttercream? Please give me your best options and also let me know if the recipies are good only for icing the cake or if they can also be used for piping borders,flowers,etc...
Thanks in advance,
Crystal 
the first option that i can think of is a product called Bettercream its much like the icing that you get in the grocery store. It comes in a frozen qt carton that you just pour into the mixing bowl and whip until its stiff. It will hold decorations with out any problems. It will also hold colors, but i don't know about really dark colors, as i don't have alot of experience with it.
Here's an everything you ever wanted to know about Rich's Bettercreme (or Pastry Pride):
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-269743-.html
Here's an overview of the basic frosting types:
http://tinyurl.com/yh44gu
Here's a comprehensive thread on ganche:
(Master recipe, how-to-glaze, smooth, stack and more.)
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-497433-.html
Here's an everything you ever wanted to know about hi-ratio thread:
(Includes recipes.)
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-464693-.html
HTH
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