I'm just getting started on making cakes that look pretty, but I can't manage to find a buttercream recipe I'm happy with. They're always much too sweet or wont crust. I just want to make a cake that is both pretty and edible!
There's so many buttercream recipes out there- I think I've made at least a hundred batches of frosting over the last 3 days and I'm fast approaching the end of my rope and the end of my supplies!

So basically what I need to find is a recipe for frosting that:
-crusts well
-is not sickeningly sweet
-preferably does not call for corn syrup (one person in my family has a corn allergy so I can't use it often or in large amounts in anything they may eat.)

Please help!

Hi and Welcome to CC, LilMissChevious.

Decoding CC acronyms:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-2926-.html

Everything you need to know to make, decorate and assemble tiered/stacked/layer cakes:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-605188-.html

Above superthread has popular CC recipes for crusting American buttercreams, several types of fondant and doctored cake mix (WASC and other flavor variations) - and so much more.

There is:

baking help/cake preparation (how much batter per pan by size), hints and tips (flower nails, bake-even strips, lower oven temp., making your own pan grease, etc.)

smoothing and stacking help

illustrations of common cake support systems with complete directions (tiered/stacked)

and more....

Get comfy, it's a long read.