HI!! I was wondering if anyone could tell me of a shortening that will crust? I dont make anough cakes to spend the money that it cost to buy Hi-Ratio shortening....so I was wanting to know what shortening works the same? Something that I could buy at the grocery store? Thank you

Try indydebi's recipe here on the site in the recipe section she has a good crusting one that uses crisco

hth

The use of shortening or hi-ratio shortening doesn't cause crusting.

Crusting is caused by evaporation on the outer layer of the b/c and can only be achieved in a recipe that has a greater proportion of powdered sugar to the fat/s used (along with a small amount of liquid).

Meringue b/c's will never crust!

Indydebi's new Crisco crusting b/c recipe:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-6992-Indydebis-Crisco-Based-Buttercream-Icing.html

Luby's Foolproof crusting b/c recipe:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-7215-Foolproof-Crusting-Buttercream.html

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-4123-High-Humidity-Buttercream.html
(vrmcc1)

Crusting hi-ratio recipes:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-2375-Brite-White-Buttercream-Icing.html
(cakemanOH)

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-5163-Sugarshacks-icing-and-Tips.html
(Sugarshack)

Brite White, Angel White and Snow White are all icing bases. Some cake decorating shops carry these or other icing bases. A google search will turn up Angel White, while Snow White can be purchases in bulk from www.nationalflavors.com

HTH