I dont have the patience to properly crumb coat. My icing is nearly always too thick and then it just pulls off the cake. How thin should it be? The last b/c cake I made, i ended up just using my hands to press the icing to the cake - i was wearing gloves. It was awful! thank goodness it was just a practice for flavors cake.
I am making a 2-tiered bridal shower cake using 2 9 inch rounds for the bottom tier, and 2 6 inch rounds. I am planning on making a double (2lb powered sugar) batch of icing for the crumb coat, and a double batch for the final B/C coat - adding seedless raspberry preserves to it. This will be enough icing, right?
but how thin???? i always think its thin enough, until i get it in the bag with the cake icer tip and make that first pass... then its "aww crap"
but how thin???? i always think its thin enough, until i get it in the bag with the cake icer tip and make that first pass... then its "aww crap"
I feel your pain! I had this problem for a lonnngggg time. I gradually added more milk to my BC and mixed until it was just thick enough to hold its shape. I test it by lifting up my KA mixer and looking at the whisk. If the BC on the beater falls, it is too thin. Get it just to the point that is is light and hold it's shape, you will be fine! As someone said earlier, it should be almost the consistency of canned icing. Hope that helps!
I dont have the patience to properly crumb coat. My icing is nearly always too thick and then it just pulls off the cake. How thin should it be? The last b/c cake I made, i ended up just using my hands to press the icing to the cake - i was wearing gloves. It was awful! thank goodness it was just a practice for flavors cake.
I am making a 2-tiered bridal shower cake using 2 9 inch rounds for the bottom tier, and 2 6 inch rounds. I am planning on making a double (2lb powered sugar) batch of icing for the crumb coat, and a double batch for the final B/C coat - adding seedless raspberry preserves to it. This will be enough icing, right?
It should be thinner than the final icing you plan to ice with.
Personally, I use the same icing for both crumb and final. I crumb, chill a couple hours, then apply the final coat.
Debi's Finger Poke Test:
Poke finger in icing. If it comes back:
with no icing on your finger, then the icing is too thick for spreading in any form. If you try to pipe with it, you'll get carpel tunnel.
with some icing, then it's ok for roses and any hard-to-hold shaped piping; this can be ok for spreading/icing, too, depending on your recipe and preference (it's the one I use for everything ... flowers, borders, piping, crumbing and icing).
with lots of icing, then it's great for spreading and icing cakes.
I love these scientific test methods! They work every time! 
My crumb coat and final coat is done with the same icing. I don't thin it for crumb coating. If you're having to put it on with your hands I'd say your icing is too thick to even ice the cake with. What receipe are you using?
Now I know the finger test lol...
I never have a problem with the consistency... and I also use the same for both crumb coat and final....
They way I check... I take an off set spatula and pass it on top of the bc... if it's smooth... it's like you can feel how it will spread by checking this way... but I like debi's way and will try it in my next batch... I also have started using sugarshack's bc and I follow it to the T and it comes out just perfect... no need to thin or tweak...
hth
but how thin???? i always think its thin enough, until i get it in the bag with the cake icer tip and make that first pass... then its "aww crap"
What is your exact recipe you use? List out the amounts of everything.
It needs to be in the proper cosistency. Too hard will break your cake and wont spread.
Too soft will be to slipery for your second coat and wont crust propery.
Put the cake in the refrigerator and Ice cold. It will help with the crumbs.
Is a matter of trial and error, so dont get frustrated.
Edna 
I very rarely crumb coat, especially if it's getting fondant, but then again my cakes don't have a lot of crumb to worry about and my initial coat of icing is rather thick.
I always dip my spatula in the icing and push it around in an S shaped pattern. If it feels fluffy and holds the S I'm done, if I get too much resistance I add small amounts of liquid until the spatula can easily sweep through the icing. You shouldn't have to strain to ice the cake.
Good luck!
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