Is there any fix to keeping the crusting buttercream icing from cracking???

I hate that it cracks and make the cake look worse than it did after you finished it....I have to do most of my decorating at night for the next day delivery..and the least little movement, makes it crack.

Any suggestions from anyone...

Thanks

What recipe are you using for the icing? I've noticed that sometimes mine will crack, but not all the time. A quick fix will be to use a sturdy board that won't bend to put the cake on, which will give you less of a chance to flex the icing on the cake.

Having said that, last week I had a cake that was sitting flat on a table and developed a vertical crack in the icing. I had never seen anything like that before, so I have no idea what caused it. The cake wasn't being moved around at all, so it wasn't movement, and the icing was cracking straight up and down, which was weird.

I think it has something to do with the formula for the icing, but I'm not sure. You could also try a meringue buttercream instead of the shortening-based ones...The meringues won't crack because they don't crust over.

My first thought was to make sure you have a very sturdy cake board under your cake. I remember watching the bottom tier of a huge cake crack while my husband was holding it in the elevator as we were on our way up to the reception site to set up the wedding cake--When the cake was set back on the flat surface of the table, the crack disappeared. If you've already got the sturdy board, I know I've read on here something about adding something to your BC that helps it not crack--dang if I can remember what--hopefully someone else will know!!!

I've heard on CC that just a TOUCH of vinegar added to your icing will help with the cracking. Good luck!

That's it! Vinegar!!! But how much is just a touch?

I delivered a cake yesterday that had icing that was terribly cracked. I was embarassed to give it to her because it wasn't up to my standards. I agree that the sturdy cake board would be a solution, but that can get expensive when trying to find something that is sturdy and disposable.

I like the taste of my BC. I use 1/2 butter and 1/2 shortening. The 100% shortening recipe doesn't crack on me, but I can't stand the thought of eating all that Crisco or Hi-ratio shortening.....ugh! So I guess there is a trade off somewhere - looks vs. taste. I love to use fondant b/c it always looks great, no cracking, but not too many people like eating it.

So, I'm not much help, other than to say that I have the same problem and haven't found a solution yet.

I read recently (I think on here) that meringue powder makes the cracks worse.. I don't use it in bc icings anymore and don't have a problem with cracks either.... hummmm

There are two things that cause icing to crack:
Not a strong enough b oard and not enough fat (be it Criso &/or butter).
Some cakes need 2 or even 3 cake boards under them - use masionite or well covered wood if necessary.
Add an additional 1/8-1/4 Cup fat to the recipe.

I often have problems with cracking as well and I recently started adding about 1 tbsp. of corn syrup into my icing recipe. It does seem to smooth better and crack less when I do this. Also, I used to not put enough icing on my cakes and now I make my icing very thick on top. I also agree a study cake board is important.

Agree that the sturdy board is #1. I usually use 3 boards wrapped in the decorative foil for the base tier of wedding cakes. The cost of 2 extra boards is no where near the cost of an unhappy bride.

If icing is too stiff, the SLIGHTEST movement may cause cracking. I add a little more milk to mine to keep it a workable consistency for smoothing and for basketweave (icing that is too stiff when working basketweave hurts my hands).

I've also had cracking show up when I iced the cake when it was frozen or too cold. As it goes from frozen to room temp, it expands and cause cause cracking. Another reason that I don't refrigerate my cakes, either.

Delivered a cake to a hotel yesterday and I set the bottom tier on the table. hotel staff wanted to put a fluffed tablecloth on the table first. So as I'm on my way over to the table to pick up the cake, one of the guys picks up this huge bottom tier, square cake WITH ONE HAND and I just see the cracking start!! I'm almost yelling "Two hands! Use two hands!" as I sprint over to him and grab it away from him with both hands! aauugghhh!! I had brought my Melvira Roller with me and was able to smooth out the cracks ok.

I do use at least 2 board under my sheet cakes and have use plywood as well. Maybe it's the meringue powder..I will leave it out next time and maybe at a touch of kayro syrup...and I do use the full shortning, only becuase I like the biright white...i flavor with butter....

Thanks guys...

I used to have a lot of problems with cracking. I've been trying several different recipes of icing lately and the 2 problems I had, not enough fat and I've quit using meringue powder also and I've had no more problems with cracking.

I use 1 cup of butter and 1 cup of Crisco for a 16oz bag of powdered sugar. I use milk as my liquid. Is this enough fat?

The only icing recipe I've ever used for 25 years: http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-6992-Indydebis-Crisco-Based-Buttercream-Icing.html

Oh wow. I didn't know it was posted in the recipe section. Thanks. I'll have to try it out.

I use Sam's Club buttercream. It gets super smooth and is not overly sweet. Never had a problem with it cracking.

We have several sizes of plexiglass boards that we use under our cakes. We've never had cracking with either a butter based bc or the sugarshack (hi-ratio shortening) bc recipe.

I just went to Home Depot and bought some 12" and 13" square tiles to use as cake boards. They were only $1.09 and $1.51. Now I know they will be sturdy and that's a price I can afford to pay for a disposable cake board.

Now, if anyone has any ideas on other alternatives to cake boards like the tile, except I am needing something round....

Thanks!

thanks for all the posts and helpful hints. I delivered a cake that I am so embarrassed with this morning. the cracking in my buttercream was awful. I did a basketweave and until I delivered it the cake was fine. I will NEVER use meringue powder again. I like the crusting factor but the end result is just not good. I'm sitting here with a sick stomach because I had to try to "fix" my cake and even though I know it tastes really good- it's not up to my standards by any means.

Again, what makes a b'cream crust is how much fat vs. sugar.  The more fat used in ratio to the  sugar the less it will crust.   If you are positive your base board is sturdy

enough then you need to make the icing creamier by adding more fat NOT thinned down w/water.  Start by adding a couple of TAblespoons increasing the fat amount until you are happy w/the creamyness :)

......... I will NEVER use meringue powder again...........

Meringue powder does allow a *very! slight* crusting but is nowhere near the major factor for sure.

I suggest you try this recipe.  It tastes great, is easy to work with and can be adjusted to crust as much as you want - or not at all :)   http://cakecentral.com/a/2-icing

Indydebi, what is a Melvira roller?

Thanks,

Vergie

http://www.cakecentral.com/tutorial/query/melvira