I have issues with smoothing buttercream. There. I feel better now that I've gotten that off my chest.
So after reading all the posts on CC about how good the videos are, I went to Sugarshack's website to bookmark it (as a subtle hint to DH to get me the buttercream dvd for my birthday). While I'm there I go ahead and watch the 3-minute preview of the dvd, just to see what it's all about.
Today I made a 4th of July cake. Oh my goodness, just watching the demo made so much difference in my buttercream!!!! I can't wait to see the whole dvd! I mean, I know it's not perfect, but it's sooooo much better.
Anyway, sorry for rambling, I was just so excited that I had to share

That looks great! I love the color. I'm trying the recipe this week. Did you follow the recipe exactly?

I just received my box's and bow dvd and topsy turvy dvd from sugarshack and i cant wait to get home to watch them!!

WOW!!!! You are well on your way!!! You'll love the video and be amazed...there are at least one million excellent tips on it that you'll use forever!!

Her videos have changed my life! seriously! I used to HATE buttercream and would totally cringe if anyone asked for it - now I would rather do buttercream than Fondant!

That looks like perfection to me! I think you are too hard on yourself

Are you using her buttercream recipe as well? I like adding butter to my buttercream so unfortunately it doesn't crust so therefore is harder to smooth. I think I'll get her DVDs anyway.

Wow, that looks perfect to me! Is that crusting BC or creamy?

This is actually indydebi's buttercream, so it's a crusting buttercream. I'm hoping that once I get the dvd I'll be able to do those beautiful sharp edges that she does.

I just ordered her fondant and buttrercream dvd's a couple of days ago. I can't wait to get them!!!

Do you know if the DVD shows how to get creamy BC smooth? The only BC I use is SMBC, it's delicious!

I'm saving up for all her dvd's! I live kinda close to her, so I'm tempted to just go kidnap her and make her teach me in person! LOL

received my DVD last week, make her BC last night and used it today. OMG - it's beautiful, it felt like I was putting silk on my cake. I can't wait to make another cake and to find the time to watch the entire video beginning to end rather than in bits and pieces.

Sharon ROCKS!!

Your cake looks perfectly smooth, great job! I think you just sold me on buying the DVD

Thanks Varika, I'm going to try that, tho it makes me so sad! I've used crisco based frosting for almost 5 years, got so sick of it so bad that I changed to whipped topping (PP) but I couldn't get fondant decorations on the cakes so I finally decided to give SMBC a try and I absolutely felt in love with it and swore crisco and hi-ratio out of my life!!! But SMBC is sooooo hard to get smooth that I'll try any method anyone suggest! That's why I wanted to know, if she has the secret I'll buy the DVD in a heart beat. I guess It's just a matter of practice, practice, practice!

Miny -- I also don't like shortening only based buttercreams. They give all the members of my family a stomach ache (so I'm afraid it will give my prospective clients stomach aches also). I LOVE SMBC also and use that or butter-based buttercream. But I also need practice to get it really smooth.

As far as I know Her recipe works with any crusting buttercream Proud to say I have all of Her DVD's and have learned a lot, not bragging only letting you know how good her DVD's and if u can afford them u should get them.

i am an smbc gal
i've tried the paper towel on fridged smbc, but it didn't work for me.
using a hot scraper usually left me with color streaks...however, using a slightly warm scraper worked fabulously!

when i see things that can be done with crusting bc, i am always tempted to go back, but smbc just tastes so good and feels great on the tongue...but still, i am really wanting to do some of those techniques you can only do with crusting

PinkLisa - I use a 50/50 butter/hi-ratio shortening mix in my buttercream. Otherwise, I follow Sharon (Sugarshack's) recipe. Mine crusts. Not sure why using butter would cause it not to crust? I find it really easy to smooth because it crusts. I use the Melvira method found on the home page of this site, near the bottom of the page.

Can sombody tell me what is SMBC? I'm new on this and I'm very interested to learn everything. Thanks.

smbc is Swiss Meringue Buttercream.
it is made from egg whites and sugar (heated over gently boiling water, and can be food safe if heated to 160 degrees), that are then whipped into a stiff meringue before butter and flavoring are added. it is so smooth and silky (and tasty, lol).

forgot to add that the sugar is granulated not powder.
very smooth buttercream that is never grainy.

i know, it kills me...

don't laugh, but i use a hair blow dryer to gently warm my scraper. just the right amount of warmth to smooth the smbc like glass without having to worry about streaks or getting all the water off of the blade.

i am watching sharon's bows and boxes right now and loving it even though i rarely do an entirely fondant covered cake. lots of great stuff in there no matter what you like to do.

diane

Drakegore and miny thanks for everything now I'm going to look for that recipe. I want to try that too. But thanks again for your time.

Your cake looks great. I know you will love her DVD's. I have two of her DVD's. I have only watched them once. They are very thorough.

Djor, the SMBC I make is the one from Dyann Bakes on you tube, she explains it very well, sorry I can't attach it to this post but you can go on youtube and search for it as "1-2-3 Swiss Meringue Buttercream", it's super easy to make and delicious! Check it out to see what you think! I spent a looooong time looking for a good BC I don't want you to waste so much time before trying a good BC. HTH Good luck!

Thank you Miny for your info. I will check it out too. I always use crisco bc and have some friends and family who don't like it but want the cakes decorated. That's the only bc I know how to make .