I've tried a few recipes, and always have trouble. What's your favorite?

I use 1 cup butter, 4 cups icing sugar, 1 tsp flavor, and milk as needed. I get a wonderful buttercream that I can smooth out with parchment paper, or a gloved hand. It's the Wilton recipie, just with butter instead of shortning.

Try Indydebi's recipe for buttercream. It is a crusting buttercream and pretty yummy! I was having trouble finding a recipe I liked too. I've only used it a couple of times so far, but it was mighty yummy! I also added a few squares of bittersweet chocolate to it for a chocolate variation, and it was sooooo good! Good Luck!

My two favorites are Indydebi's recipe & Buttercream Dream (both can be found in the recipe section). They both crust really well. I find that Indydebi's crust a little more, but both are excellent!

I love Indydebi's recipe!