I'd like to know which type of buttercream tastes best and works well for decorating. I'm seeing American buttercrea, Italian buttercream, Swiss meringue buttercream.... and the list goes on. I don't particularly like the tast of the buttercream I make with crisco and butter. I shudder to think I'm eating crisco! Are the other types of buttercream better?

SMBC is wonderful! Just the right amount of sweetness, no crisco, light fluffy texture! A breeze to make, smooths beautifully...it's delish!

Thanks. I'll have to try it. Is there a particular recipe you'd recommend? Can it be used for piping decorations as well as covering the cake?

Ask 200 people which BC tastes best and you will likely get 200 different answers. lol Some people swear by SugarShack's or Indydebi's, while others will ONLY used meringue. Some are all butter, others all shortening, yet other are a mix of varying ratios. I suggest you try a few different things out and see what you like best

My personal opinion: SMBC or IMBC... it doesn't get any better than that!

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-5453-The-Well-Dressed-Cake-Swiss-Meringue-Buttercream-with-variations.html

This is what I use, and I love it.

I only use crusting cream cheese icing. It's so good and I always get compliments.

I agree with Tara. I do not like the IMBC or the SMBC. They taste to buttery to me.

personally i like the taste of buttercream dream, using heavy cream instead of milk. of course i haven't tried the other meringue type buttercreams yet =) so i reserve the right to change my opinion!

"best" is subjective. What is 'best' to me could fall into the "you actually eat that crap?" to you.

It's all crap! I love 'em all though!

I really like IMBC, I use "classic vanilla buttercream" from the food network site. But, you really should test a few different recipes before deciding. I've made Serious_Cake's buttercream from her youtube video's, too, but that is an American buttercream with shortening. I've only used it a few times, I prefer IMBC, but it's good if you are looking for a PS based buttercream

Thanks for all your replies. I'm going to try the Well dressed cake smbc that Jamie suggested first. I 'll try to get the time to experiment with other versions too and see what I like best. I usually make buttercream dream and it seems to work well for my fbct, but it has crisco in it and that turns me off (even although it tastes good). I've never tried buttercream dream substituting heavy cream for the milk though.... I'll have to give that a go too. Thanks for all the ideas.